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News and Updates
All the latest news and updates from the UK's leading supplier of safety clothing and equipment
National Apprenticeship Week
06 February 2026
National Apprenticeship Week is here again, giving us a chance to reflect on the impact apprentices make to businesses like Arco across the UK, as well as the wider economy. Arco is dedicated to creating opportunities for apprentices and we're proud of the journeys they take with us, setting them up for exciting careers.
At Arco, over 30 colleagues are working to complete an apprenticeship with us, covering a range of levels (2-7) and standards (including continuous improvement, leadership, and health and safety). Plus, we've welcomed our highest-ever number of external apprentices employed (9 across several locations).
Rewarding and varied careers
They're in good company. Arco apprentices go on to enjoy rewarding and varied careers, with some even winning awards for their efforts.
In 2025 for example, Arco colleagues Brett Thompson and Keira Laws took top honours at the East Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards in the Degree Apprentice and Professional Services Apprentice categories respectively.
Arco was also named Large Employer of the Year at the same awards. This demonstrates our longstanding commitment to professional learning and development, that saw us named one of the top 10 family business apprentice employers in 2022.
Speaking about his Arco apprenticeship in Marketing Management, Brett said: "An apprenticeship has been a great way to learn and develop inside of my day job at Arco and as part of my professional development."
Toasting shared success
To conclude the week-long celebrations at Arco, our Learning & Development team will be hosting a coffee morning for our apprentices. It will be an excellent opportunity for our apprentices (past and present) to meet likeminded colleagues, discuss shared experiences, and reflect on their next career milestones.
In the pink: Thousands raised for Breast Cancer Now
19 January 2026
We teamed up with supplier Keypoint and our customers to support Breast Cancer Now, raising over £3,500 through sales of limited-edition pink MaxiFlex gloves nationwide.
In September 2025, we collaborated with supplier Keypoint to support the charity Breast Cancer Now with their pink gloves scheme. The limited-edition pink MaxiFlex glove directly supported Breast Cancer Now, with 80p donated for every pair sold up to 30th November 2025. Arco donated 40p per pair, with Keypoint matching the contribution.
The ATG MaxiFlex Pink Active is a unique glove, offering a combination of both wearer and social responsibility benefits. Featuring ATG's proprietary 'Active' technology, the glove is infused with vitamin E and Aloe Vera to actively care for and condition the skin while worn.
In total 3,803 pairs were sold with the majority of these purchased by customer Openreach, who heard about the campaign and wanted to offer their support. With both Arco and Keypoint donating 40p per glove, this brought the overall amount raised to £3,537.20!
Incredibly proud
Niall Robinson, Product & Procurement Manager at Arco, who was the lead on the campaign had this to say "I'm incredibly proud of what we achieved together with this initiative. Seeing our team and customers come together to support Breast Cancer Awareness, while having some fun with the pink MaxiFlex gloves was fantastic. A huge thank you to everyone who participated – your enthusiasm helped us raise over £3,537 for such an important cause."
Breast Cancer Now
Breast Cancer Now is a UK-based research and support charity that funds groundbreaking research into prevention, detection and treatment, while also providing life-changing care and support to anyone affected by breast cancer. They offer a free helpline, a comprehensive website, specialist information, support groups and expert breast care nurses to assist people through every stage of their breast cancer experience.
Their mission is to ensure that by 2050, everyone diagnosed with breast cancer lives and is supported to live well.
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Unique bird’s-eye view of iconic London Eye fireworks
06 January 2026
Read moreCheck out our exclusive video, as Arco Professional Safety Services made UK history on New Year's Eve in London, capturing 360° footage from inside the London Eye fireworks display.
The New Year's Eve fireworks display from the London Eye is one of the UK's most celebrated traditions. And while thousands of people gathered on New Years Eve in London to watch the show (with millions more tuning in at home), a team from Arco Professional Safety Services captured unique footage from inside the display – a UK first.
Capturing incredible shots
With all eyes on the sky, Arco Professional Safety Services worked hard behind the scenes on the night, deploying their expertise as rescue cover for the fireworks crew. At the same time, the Arco team was able to secure safe access to mount a 360° camera on the London Eye, nearly 80 metres above the ground.
The camera captured incredible footage of the nation's annual fireworks display on New Year's Eve in London, taking people closer than ever to this much-loved event. Check out our exclusive video of the London Eye fireworks below.
Credit to the safety experts
Training Instructor, Russell Edwards (Arco Professional Safety Services), was responsible for the camera setup and said: "It was an absolute pleasure to capture these unique shots on New Year's Eve. Filming from the centre of the London Eye at 76 metres up was such an exciting opportunity.
"As far as we know, it's never been done before and the results are amazing. Of course, credit to our team on the night. They're pretty much the unseen heroes at events like this and at other UK venues, contributing to safe and memorable experiences that everyone can enjoy."
Working at height expertise
Whether we're ensuring Wimbledon's safety systems are championship ready or supporting the latest 'You Bet!' challenge, Arco Professional Safety Services are the UK and Ireland's No 1 working at height safety specialists.
Learn more about our working at height safety services, and discover how we can help you manage, mitigate or transfer risk with expert training, equipment and consultancy.
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Arco responds to 2025 Health and Safety at Work statistics
04 December 2025
Read moreOn 20 November 2025, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) published their 2025 Health and Safety at Work statistics for Great Britain. In this article, we'll examine the key findings around work-related injuries and ill health, consider the economic impact and provide our own recommendations for business managers and owners to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
Work-related injuries statistics
Key findings for 2024/25 include:
- 700,000 workers sustained non-fatal workplace injuries (based on self-report)
- 124 workers were killed in work-related accidents
Looking at the long-term view, we are pleased to see a substantial reduction in work-related fatalities. Although any number of fatalities is always too high, the UK does have one of the lowest rates of fatal work-related injury among large European economies.
2024/25 has seen the number of self-reported non-fatal workplace injuries increase slightly on both 2022/23 and 2023/24, with a rate of 2,070 injuries per 100,000 workers (2.1%).
Causes of non-fatal injuries are as follows: Slips, trips and falls on same level (30%); Handling, lifting or carrying (17%); Struck by moving object (10%); Acts of violence (10%); Falls from height (8%).
Industries with the highest rates of non-fatal injury include accommodation/food service activities, construction, transportation/storage and wholesale/retail trade/repair of motor vehicles.
While the long-term figures show a downward trend, increases since the pandemic period demonstrate that companies and businesses must never be complacent with their workplace safety.
Arco recommends…
… conducting a thorough review of your risk assessments and ensuring workers are equipped with appropriate PPE, slip-resistant footwear and task-specific gloves. Our Arco Professional Safety Services team can also support you with workplace audits, safety training and guidance on reducing incidents linked to slips, trips and falls, manual handling and working at height.
Slips, trips and falls make up 30% off all non-fatal workplace injuries, according to the 2025 HSE statistics.
Work-related ill health and mental health at work statistics
Key findings for 2024/25 include:
- 1.9 million workers reported suffering from work-related ill-health (new or long-standing). A rate of 5,360 per 100,000 workers (5.4%)
- 730,000 workers suffering from a new case of work-related ill-health
- 35.7 million working days lost due to ill health
52% off all work-related ill health is classified as stress/depression/anxiety, 27% as Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), with the remaining 21% made up of other types.
Rates of self-reported work-related stress, depression and anxiety have risen above pre-pandemic levels, and workers are now losing more days to these conditions than in 2018/19. Industries with higher-than-average rates of work-related stress, depression and anxiety include public admin/defence, human health/social work and education.
Meanwhile, rates of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and associated lost working days have levelled off, remaining similar to pre-pandemic 2018/19 levels after a previously downward trend.
Arco recommends…
…taking a holistic approach that combines protective equipment with proactive wellbeing measures. This includes ergonomic workwear and gloves to help reduce MSDs, suitable hearing and respiratory protection, and mental health and wellbeing training through Arco Professional Safety Services. We can also support employers with stress risk assessments and solutions that improve overall workforce health and mental health at work.
Occupational lung disease statistics
Key findings for 2024/25 include:
- 11,000 lung disease deaths each year are estimated to be linked to past exposures at work
- 2,218 Mesothelioma deaths occurred in 2023, with a similar number of lung cancer deaths linked to past exposure to asbestos
- 22,000 estimated new cases of breathing or lung problems caused or made worse by work (average over the last three years)
Out of all occupational lung disease deaths, 35% were attributed to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), followed by Non-asbestos related lung cancer (23%), Asbestos related lung cancer (20%), Mesothelioma (20%) and Other diseases (3%).
Annual mesothelioma deaths are projected to fall from 2024 to 2040, while new cases of occupational asthma have stayed broadly steady since 2010, though recent figures are less certain due to pandemic impacts.
Arco recommends…
…ensuring your workforce has access to high-quality respiratory protection, supported by correct selection, face fit testing and ongoing maintenance. Our specialists can help you assess exposure risks, implement effective RPE strategies and provide training on managing hazards such as dust, fumes and asbestos-related risks.
Arco Professional Safety Services can help you implement a full and effective respiratory management programme.
Economic costs and employer responsibilities for health and safety
Estimated economic costs for 2023/24:
- £22.9 billion: Total annual cost of workplace injury and new cases of work-related ill health (excluding long-latency illnesses like cancer)
This is made up of:
- £16.4 billion (=72%) for new cases of work-related ill health
- £6.5 billion (=28%) for workplace injury
Out of this £22.9 billion, individuals bore the largest share (£13.4 billion), with employers (£5.2 billion) and government (£4.3 billion) picking up the rest.
Arco recommends…
…investing in a 'joined up safety' strategy that combines the right PPE and workwear with expert safety consultancy. Our Arco Professional Safety Services team can help you identify cost-saving improvements, strengthen compliance and reduce incident-related downtime – ultimately lowering the financial impact of workplace ill-health and injuries, while ensuring employer responsibilities for health and safety are met.
Expert health and safety advice
As the UK and Ireland's only integrated safety products and service supplier, we are the experts when it comes to keeping you and your people safe. To tap directly into our expertise, check out our safety resources, where you'll find comprehensive advice on safety products, common risks and hazards, plus the latest safety legislation.
If you'd like to speak with us about health and safety training, consultancy, safety solutions or mental health at work, contact Arco Professional Safety Services today.
Call 0330 390 0822 info@arcoservices.co.uk
Sources and useful references
- HSE: Health and safety at work. Summary statistics for Great Britain 2025
- HSE: Historical picture statistics in Great Britain, 2025. Trends in work-related ill health and workplace injury
- HSE: Work-related ill health and occupational disease in Great Britain
- HSE: Work-related stress, depression or anxiety statistics in Great Britain, 2025
- HSE: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders statistics in Great Britain, 2025
- HSE: Non-fatal injuries
- HSE: Costs to Great Britain of workplace injuries and new cases of work-related Ill Health – 2023 to 2024
- HSE: Industries
- HSE: Comparisons with other European countries
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Arco opens Energy Safety Centre in Aberdeen
01 December 2025
Read moreArco, the UK and Ireland's leading safety experts, has opened a specialist centre, which will support companies operating in the Energy sector. Delivering a wide range of best-in-class safety services and products, the Energy Safety Centre will be a go-to facility for customers in the oil and gas, and renewables sectors.
Supporting onshore and offshore operators
Strategically located in Aberdeen, the new centre offers convenient access to Arco's 140+ years' safety experience. From here, customers can rely on Arco's expertise to ensure business continuity at demanding onshore and offshore operations, as well as minimise risk and maximise productivity.
To support this, Arco will provide a wide range of services to keep customers prepared, compliant and safe. These include:
- Specialist training
- Expert face fit testing
- Respiratory servicing
- A product decoration service
In addition, Arco is offering a highly competitive same day offshore kit drop service. This means that, if pre-agreed with a customer, any order placed before 3pm can be delivered the same day.
Enhancing safety in the Energy sector
Alex Richards, Arco's Energy and Export Director, said: "We've been keeping customers in Aberdeen safe for nearly 40 years, and this new centre signifies more than just a move to a new site.
"We're bringing a competitive package to new customers and offering an enhanced service to our existing customers, who are already queuing up to take advantage of the Energy Safety Centre."
Interested?
To see how your business can benefit, please visit and speak to a member of the team at the Energy Safety Centre:
Email: aberdeen.store@arco.co.uk
Tel: 01224 897845
New address:
17-19 Greenrole Trading Estate
Howe Moss Drive
Dyce, Aberdeen
AB21 0GL