HSQE Communication Bulletin - January 2026¶
Document Reference: COMM_HSQE_01_2026
Issue Number: 1
Issue Date: 05/01/2026
Review Cycle: Monthly
Controlled By: HSQE Consultant
Document Type: Communication Bulletin
Document Control Information¶
| Rev | Changes | Date | Approved By |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Initial Issue - January 2026 HSQE Updates | 05/01/2026 | Aaron Mason |
Executive Summary¶
New EPA methodology now live; January HSE prosecutions highlight wall-collapse and enforcement-notice failures; 2026 HSQE programme launched.
EPA Methodology — Now Live¶
The new Environment Agency methodology is live from 1 January 2026:
- 1–5 numeric rating (5 = excellent, 1 = failing)
- All Cat 1–3 pollution incidents reported, no downgrading
- "Dry day spills" tracked separately
- First annual report using the new methodology lands in 2027
On-site action: Spills, releases, and runoff incidents — however small — must be reported via SOP 8.1 the same day. Photograph, contain, report. The client's annual EPA rating depends on it.
🔴 HSE Prosecution — Ace Infra Ltd, £60,000 (7 January)¶
A construction company was fined £60,000 after a wall collapsed at a Birmingham site, knocking an employee through an open stairwell onto a concrete floor below.
Key lessons for AMWS:
- Temporary works (shoring, edge protection, propping) must be designed and signed off before load is applied
- Open holes and stairwells must be physically barriered — not just signed
- The "we'll do it later" gap between fabric removal and edge protection is when injuries happen
Relevance: Any excavation deeper than 1.2 m and any retained-soil face are temporary works under our SOP 5.1 — RAMS issue must include the temporary-works spec.
HSE Prosecution — Construction Director Fined (14 January)¶
A construction company director and his firm were fined for failing to comply with multiple enforcement notices and for failing to plan, manage and monitor construction work. Director fined £10,800.
Why we care: Directors are personally liable. POL_HSQE_16 Health & Safety Statement and the IMS Manual make this explicit — Aaron and Leanne carry personal HSE liability for AMWS work. If HSE issues a notice, response is immediate, not "next week".
ISO 14001:2026 — Transition Planning Begins¶
The revised standard publishes 15 April 2026. AMWS planning:
- Q1 2026 — desk-review of changes (Sean) → list of IMS sections needing update
- Q3 2026 (post-Achilles audit) — formal gap analysis; integrate into next IMS Manual issue
- 2027 recertification — transition audit baked into the surveillance cycle
- Deadline — 15 April 2029 (well clear)
2026 HSQE Programme¶
The HSQE programme for the year is now finalised:
- 12 internal audits across the rolling cycle
- Monthly toolbox talks (programme refreshed May 2026)
- Quarterly site safety visits by Sean (Onyx Operations)
- One interim Management Review (May), one annual Management Review (September)
- Two surveillance audits: Achilles UVDB B2 — June and ISO recertification path — November 2027
#TEAM Year-End Reset¶
January is the right time to reset habits — PPE refreshed, RA refresher, tickets/training register up to date. Sean will run a kit and ticket check on the first February site visit.
Action Items for January¶
- ✅ EPA methodology brief — all spills/incidents reported same-day
- ✅ Temporary works review — propping, edge protection, RAMS sign-off
- ✅ ISO 14001:2026 desk review (Sean — by 28 February)
- ✅ PPE and ticket check for all operatives
- ✅ Confirm February site visit date with Aaron
Looking Ahead to February¶
- HSE January prosecution roundup
- Time to Talk Day — mental health
- First 2026 internal audit cycle starts
This document forms part of A M Water Services Limited's Integrated Management System and should be read in conjunction with the IMS Manual (MAN_01) and relevant Standard Operating Procedures.