As I write, workplaces on both sides of the Atlantic are in flames and are likely to continue to burn for days. One, in a fertiliser plant in Texas, US, has claimed an estimated 15 lives and injured more than 100 people; there have been calls for the entire town surrounding the plant to be evacuated.

The other, in the Smurfit Kappa cardboard recycling mill in the Nechells area of Birmingham, doesn't appear to have injured anyone, but is devastating for the workforce and those living nearby nonetheless - to say nothing of the damage to the supply chain and the business itself.

It will take some weeks for investigators to discover what caused these two incidents but in the light of the Boston Marathon bombing this week, it would do us all good to be extra mindful when it comes to both health & safety at work and security.

Our thoughts are with the injured, those who have been made homeless or who have lost their workplaces, and in particular the families, friends and loved-ones of those who are no longer with us.

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Yours,

Jan Hobbs