The Department for Transport has released new guidance for managers of premises on how to manage the fire risk associated with storing and charging e-bikes and e-scooters on site. The guidance intends to promote fire safety without limiting the utility of e-bikes and e-scooters. The primary risk is a fire involving the vehicle’s battery. The number of lithium battery … Read More
First Ever No Falls Week Announced
The No Falls Foundation has announced the first ever No Falls Week to take place from the 13th to the 17th of May. The No Falls Foundation is a charity dedicated to preventing falls from height and helping those affected by life-changing injuries from such falls. They work with a number of partners, including organisations like IPAF, the Ladder Association, … Read More
Keep Cool And Healthy – Updated Legionella Guidance
Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia. The bacteria that cause the disease are found naturally in environmental water sources such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs and generally pose no problems. However, they can also grow in purpose-built water systems such as hot and cold water systems, whirlpool spas and cooling towers, and evaporative condensers such as those … Read More
Ladder Association Launch New Toolbox Talks
Three toolbox talk documents have been produced by the Ladder Association and are available for free on their website. The documents each cover a specific topic related to ladder usage: How to know when to use a ladder How to select the right ladder How to secure your ladder The toolbox talks highlight the risks associated with each of … Read More
New Responsible AI Guidance
A guide to responsible artificial intelligence (AI) innovation has been developed and published by the Association of British Insurance (ABI). While this guide is focused on the insurance industry, the principles discussed will be relevant to others considering the use of AI in their operations. The guide aims to help firms seeking to use AI to improve operations in … Read More
New External Wall Fire Risk Guidance
A joint document released by the Fire Industry Association, Institution of Fire Engineers, and Façade Special Interest Group provides guidance on proportionality and risk when carrying out fire risk appraisals of external walls (FRAEWs) to PAS 9980 Fire Risk Appraisal of External Walls and Cladding of Flats. PAS 9980 provides a methodology for carrying out FRAEWs. The guidance is … Read More
HSE Update First Aid Guidance
The HSE has updated two publications dealing with first aid at work. The revisions focus on expanding and simplifying the existing guidance and are not in response to any change in the law or what is required to comply with the law. ‘First aid at work: guidance on regulations’ concerns the regulations and requirements for first aid in work … Read More
EHRC Launch Menopause in the Workplace Guidance
A new set of guidelines published by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is intended to help employers understand their legal obligations in regard to supporting employees with menopausal symptoms. The guidance follows research by the Charted Institute of Personnel and Development, which found that 67% of working women between 40 and 60 who were experiencing menopausal symptoms … Read More
Free Mental Health E-Learning For Employers Launched
In November 2021, the HSE launched their Working Minds campaign to tackle mental health issues in the workplace. Alongside promoting mental health issues, the campaign includes a dedicated website with resources for employers. Recently, a new free e-learning tool was launched as part of the campaign. The tool is split into six short modules designed to guide employers through what … Read More
Top Of The Charts For Work Related Ill Health
Figures recently released by the HSE show that 1.8 million workers were suffering from new or long-standing work-related health problems, leading to an estimated 31.5 million lost working days. These figures include 672,000 new cases of work-related ill health in 2022/23. Stress, anxiety, and depression were the most common types of ill health, with 875,000 sufferers representing 49% of all … Read More