The latest statistics just released by the HSE show that in the year April 2019 to March 2020, 111 workers were killed as a result of accidents at work. This compares to 149 deaths the previous year and is the lowest level on record, however at this stage it is not possible to say what impact the current COVID-19 pandemic … Read More

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Recent weeks have seen a sudden surge in the number of people working from home. For many people this will be the first time they have worked from home on a continuous basis. The sudden move to homeworking may mean that it has not been possible to consult with those involved and plan for what can be quite a significant … Read More