The current infection control measures have seen a large increase in the number of people carrying out some or all of their work from home and an equally large increase in the number of articles about how to set up a safe workstation while, maintaining good posture with regular breaks from screen work and not overloading electrical sockets. In this … Read More
DO I HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT HEALTH AND SAFETY IN UNOCCUPIED PROPERTIES?
The short answer is, of course, YES. This is especially true if the property is only temporarily vacant and you are intending to safely re-occupy it at some point in the future e.g. once everyone can safely return from a period of lockdown. Exactly how much you need to worry and what you will need to do to ease those … Read More
SOCIAL DISTANCING IN THE WORKPLACE
Except for certain businesses, such as non-essential shops and public venues, which have been instructed to close, other employers can continue to work provided they can do so safely. Of course anyone who is ill with, showing symptoms of or living with someone who is ill with symptoms of coronavirus / COVID-19 should be staying at home in line with … Read More
SCAFFOLDING GUIDANCE NOTES
The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) have produced a guide giving a broad range of advice scaffolding contractors might wish to adopt to help safeguard the health and welfare of their workforce during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic. This is free to download from the NASC’s website at: https://nasc.org.uk/working-on-site/ Many other trade associations have also published their own advice we … Read More
WHEN ARE DISEASES REPORTABLE UNDER RIDDOR?
Under RIDDOR (The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) organisations are required to report certain work related accidents, injuries, dangerous occurrences and diseases involving their employees and others. Most organisations are familiar with the requirements for reporting injuries, the regulations also include lists of the types of dangerous occurrence that need to be reported depending on the type … Read More
LIABILITY FOR THE ACTS OF EMPLOYEES AND CONTRACTORS
Normally when we are considering the law in these articles we are looking at regulations, acts of parliament and prosecutions in the criminal courts. This article considers claims for compensation under civil law. It is a long established principal that where harm is caused by the actions of someone while at work, that person’s employer can be held liable to … Read More
KEEPING UP TO DATE WITH CORONAVIRUS ADVICE
With advice and information regarding Coronavirus / COVID-19 constantly evolving as the situation develops and scientific knowledge grows, any summary of current recommendations in an article such as this is likely to be out of date almost as soon as it is written, so how can you keep up to date? For safety, health and other questions and assistance you … Read More
ANNUAL HSE SCIENCE REVIEW PUBLISHED
The HSE have published their latest annual science review, this highlights work and research carried out by the HSE and looks at areas of current concern. Among other things the latest review includes case studies looking at: • Innovation in battery technology • Enabling the safe introduction of hydrogen as a low-carbon energy vector • Reducing the risk of silicosis … Read More
CARING FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH OF HOMEWORKERS
Recent weeks have seen a sudden surge in the number of people working from home. For many people this will be the first time they have worked from home on a continuous basis. The sudden move to homeworking may mean that it has not been possible to consult with those involved and plan for what can be quite a significant … Read More
FIRE SAFETY BILL LAUNCHED
The Fire Safety Bill that was announced in the Queen’s Speech has now been launched and is making its way through the parliamentary process. As introduced the Bill amends the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and is expected to result in greater clarity over responsibility for fire safety in buildings containing more than one home. Specifically the Bill clarifies … Read More