No Falls Week 2025

sarahvardyAgriculture, Automotive, Construction & Property Management, Education, Haulage & Logistics, Health & Social Care, Hospitality & Leisure, Manufacturing & Engineering, Religious Organisations & Charities, Retail & Commercial & Offices

What is No Falls Week? No Falls Week is a dedicated campaign aimed at promoting safe work practices at height and preventing falls. It serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and adherence to safety measures in the work-at-height sector, which is often associated with significant risks.   When is No Falls Week? No Falls Week runs from … Read More

MOT Inspection Manuals for HGVs and PSVs

sarahvardyAgriculture, Automotive, Haulage & Logistics, Hospitality & Leisure

Who has published the guidance? Updated MOT Inspection manuals for Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) and Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) has been published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).   What does the guidance cover? The manuals provide detailed procedures and standards for the examination and maintenance of HGVs and PSVs. They focus on: Ensuring vehicle safety. Compliance with … Read More

Managing the Health Risks of Isocyanate Paints in the Workplace

sarahvardyAutomotive, Haulage & Logistics

Ensuring safety in paint spraying Paint spraying, especially with isocyanates, poses serious health risks like asthma and dermatitis. Exposure occurs through inhalation, skin contact, and equipment use. Safety requires proper PPE, RPE, ventilation, and training.   Understanding isocyanate paints Isocyanates, found in vehicle paints, pose serious health risks through inhalation and skin contact. Exposure occurs during spraying, mixing, curing, and … Read More

50 Years of the HSE and the Health & Safety at Work Act

sarahvardyAgriculture, Automotive, Construction & Property Management, Education, Haulage & Logistics, Health & Social Care, Hospitality & Leisure, Manufacturing & Engineering, Religious Organisations & Charities, Retail & Commercial & Offices

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Established by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the HSE was officially launched on 1st January 1975 under its first Director General, John Locke. In April of 1975, new legal duties were introduced for employers, the self-employed, and employees, with the HSE responsible for … Read More

Protecting Properties Against Flooding

sarahvardyAgriculture, Automotive, Construction & Property Management, Education, Haulage & Logistics, Health & Social Care, Hospitality & Leisure, Manufacturing & Engineering, Religious Organisations & Charities, Retail & Commercial & Offices

According to research conducted by the Association of British Insurers, a total of £585 million was paid out for weather-related damage to people’s homes and possessions in 2024. This is a record high compared to the £485 million paid out in 2023. By the end of 2024, there had been a total of 7 consecutive quarters in which weather-related claims … Read More

Reasonable adjustments for neurodiverse employees

sarahvardyAgriculture, Automotive, Construction & Property Management, Education, Haulage & Logistics, Health & Social Care, Hospitality & Leisure, Manufacturing & Engineering, Religious Organisations & Charities, Retail & Commercial & Offices

It is a well-established principle of equality legislation that employers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to support disabled workers.   What is reasonable will depend on the particular circumstances but could include measures such as: Finding a different way to do something, such as providing training in a different way, allowing extra time for certain tasks or considering … Read More

New business waste and recycling rules in England

sarahvardyAgriculture, Automotive, Construction & Property Management, Education, Haulage & Logistics, Health & Social Care, Hospitality & Leisure, Manufacturing & Engineering, Religious Organisations & Charities, Retail & Commercial & Offices

Individuals, households, businesses and other organisations all have a duty of care to take reasonable steps to ensure that their waste is disposed of responsibly.   Similar to the way that most households have separate collections for different types of domestic waste, new regulations coming into effect in England at the end of March 2025 will require most workplaces to … Read More

Fire safety in small premises

sarahvardyAgriculture, Automotive, Construction & Property Management, Haulage & Logistics, Health & Social Care, Hospitality & Leisure, Manufacturing & Engineering, Religious Organisations & Charities, Retail & Commercial & Offices

In 2023 the Home Office published 3 new guides to help responsible persons and building owners comply with their fire safety duties in small non-domestic premises, guest accommodation and blocks of flats.   Following changes to legal requirements introduced by the Building Safety Act 2022, the Home Office has now issued updated versions of those guides. All three guides explain … Read More

Did lowering the speed limit work?

sarahvardyAutomotive, Haulage & Logistics, Health & Social Care, Hospitality & Leisure, Manufacturing & Engineering, Religious Organisations & Charities, Retail & Commercial & Offices

On 17th September 2023 the Welsh Government introduced a standard 20 mph speed limit on all restricted roads in Wales. The majority of these roads are located in residential and built-up areas, and previously most restricted roads in Wales followed the UK standard speed limit of 30 mph. This change increased the approximate total length of roads in Wales with … Read More

Importance of Tree Risk Management during Winter

sarahvardyAgriculture, Automotive, Construction & Property Management, Education, Haulage & Logistics, Health & Social Care, Hospitality & Leisure, Manufacturing & Engineering, Religious Organisations & Charities, Retail & Commercial & Offices

During winter storms in the UK, trees pose significant risks, particularly to commercial properties. High winds and heavy snowfall can weaken branches, potentially leading to breakage or entire tree falls that may damage buildings, vehicles, and infrastructure, as well as pose a risk to life.   According to the Health and Safety Executive, the combination of severe weather and poor … Read More