Last year we reported how, as part of a plan to encourage the use of low emission vehicles, the Government was looking to allow category B licence holders to operate alternatively-fueled vehicles up to a maximum authorised mass of 4,250kg. Alternatively-fuelled vehicles can have an increased kerb weight compared with conventionally fueled equivalents. Usually a category B driving licence permits … Read More
Noise – A note worthy appeal
While many of the articles you will find here look at health and safety regulations from the point of view of enforcement by the authorities, failures in complying with regulations are often cited in claims for compensation when someone has been injured at work. Previously we have reported on a compensation claim by a musician against the Royal Opera House … Read More
What are the HSE’s plans?
The HSE recently launched their business plan for 2019/2020, this sets out what their key areas of work will be for the coming year. Naturally the HSE has an overall objective to improve workplace health and safety, the business plan provides some extra detail as to how they intend to achieve this. Putting the “health” into health and safety the … Read More
Who will answer your fire alarm?
Individual fire authorities are responsible for creating appropriate strategies for their own area. With limited resources and many calls on those resources fire authorities have to make difficult decisions about how they allocate those resources. Sometimes those decisions can be controversial, response to fire alarms is sometimes a sensitive area. The latest figures from the Home Office show that 40% … Read More
HSE fee for intervention rate up
The Health and Safety Executive’s Fee For Intervention (FFI) scheme was launched in October 2012, this allows the HSE to charge organisations for the costs involved in investigating, issuing notices and assisting in correcting material breaches of health and safety regulations. This is charged at an hourly rate based on the amount of time taken by an inspector on the … Read More
10 years of the gas safety register
The HSE report that every year around 14 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by gas appliances and flues which have not been properly installed or maintained, faulty gas installations can also cause fires and explosions. Anyone who carries out work on relevant gas installations and pipelines must be officially approved to carry out this work. The register of … Read More
Reporting accidents, diseases and dangerous occurances
Under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations, employers, the self-employed and people in control of work premises are required to report certain serious workplace accidents, occupational diseases and specified dangerous occurrences to the relevant authority. In England, Scotland and Wales reports can be made online via the HSE’s website at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/report.htm fatalities, specified injuries and major incidents can … Read More
Big increase in drivers hours fines
Last year traffic examiners were given new powers to issue on-the-spot fines for any drivers’ hours offences committed in the last 28 days. Previously they could only issue fines for offences committed that day or for ongoing offences such as manipulating tachograph records. Traffic examiners can now issue fines for up to 5 drivers’ hours offences in a single check. … Read More
Preparing for a safe and healthy Brexit
Well done to everyone who got passed the headline. The UK’s exit from the EU is a topic that provokes strong emotions and many pages of text, but what will the actual impact on health and safety regulation be? To a large extent that will depend on what deal is finally agreed and you are recommended to regularly check relevant … Read More
Managing safety at inland waters
Statistics show that around 250 people die each year as a result of accidental drowning in the UK’s inland waters including rivers, canals, harbours, lakes, etc. Almost a quarter of these cases occurred at enclosed waters such as lakes, quarries and reservoirs. If you are responsible for a body of water, land alongside a body of water, or you carry … Read More