The Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA) enforces stricter regulations and oversight across construction and related sectors. The Act goes beyond CDM 2015 and the Building Regulations Act 2012, setting clear competency standards for construction. The Building Safety Act 2022 represents a significant shift in construction safety and competency requirements. Compliance is no longer optional, it is a legal requirement. Ensuring … Read More
Reasonable adjustments for neurodiverse employees
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
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
Hazards of installing stone worktops
Silica is a natural substance found in most stone, rocks, sand, quartz and clay. This can be released as dust during a number of tasks. Some of the dust created when working with this material may be fine enough to reach deep inside the lungs; this is known as respirable crystalline silica (RCS). This can be harmful to health, and significant exposure … Read More
Fire safety in small premises
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
Importance of Tree Risk Management during Winter
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
Updated Fire Door Hardware Code Of Practice
The Door & Hardware Federation (DHF), together with the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI), has published an updated code of practice for the selection of building hardware for use on fire-resisting and escape door assemblies and door sets. The term door hardware covers a wide range of door fittings, such as hinges, door-closing devices, locks and latches, door bolts, … Read More
Simplifying Rules For Electric Vans
Currently, drivers hours and other rules apply to work-related driving if the maximum weight of your vehicle or vehicle combination is more than 3.5 tonnes. These rules cover topics such as the maximum time a driver can drive for, what breaks they have to take, the records that drivers and employers must keep, vehicle maintenance, roadworthiness testing, and the fitting … Read More
Security Of Loads On Vehicles Guide Updated
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) produces a code of practice covering the safe loading, unloading, and transportation of goods in heavy goods vehicles, trailers, vans, and cars. This guide is aimed at drivers, vehicle operators, and anyone involved in loading vehicles and is split into 6 key sections, covering a different aspect of load security; these are: … Read More
Review Of Building Regulations Guidance Announced
The Building Regulations 2010 set out a number of requirements that must be met when carrying out building work in England. The requirements cover various factors such as structural safety, fire safety, ventilation, sanitation, protection from falling, collision, and impact, access to and use of buildings, etc. Guidance on how to comply with these requirements is provided in a … Read More