Following investigations into incidents involving vehicle air suspension systems, the HSE have issued a safety alert for anyone carrying out work, including recovery work, on such vehicles whether this is at the roadside, customer premises or in a vehicle repair facility. Various types of commercial vehicle including, buses, coaches, goods vehicles etc are fitted with air suspension. Two common hazards … Read More
HSE ISSUE KN95 FACEMASK WARNING
The HSE have issued a safety alert warning employers against the use of KN95 facemasks as Personal Protective Equipment. Except where it has been organised by the UK Government for use by NHS or other healthcare workers where assessments have been undertaken by HSE as the Market Surveillance Authority, items can only be sold as Personal protective equipment if they … Read More
WORKING TIME GUIDANCE ISSUED FOR FURLOUGHED DRIVERS
Professional drivers should not be expected to drive while tired and the Road Transport Working Time Regulations and Driver’s Hours and Tachograph rules are an important part of managing fatigue. The Department of Transport has now issued guidance for employers and drivers on how the requirements for recording a driver’s hours and activities are affected when the driver is furloughed. … Read More
LATEST FIGURES SHOW FALL IN FIRE DEATHS
Fire and rescue statistics released by the Home Office for England the year ending December 2019 show a 10% fall in the number of fire related fatalities from 262 in the previous year to 237 in the latest year. In the same period, Fire and Rescue Services in England attended 157,156 fires, a drop of 12% from the previous year … Read More
WORKING FROM HOME MANAGING THE OTHER RISKS
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
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