Certain materials e.g. gasses, flammable liquids and solids, explosives, radioactive, toxic, corrosive or oxidising substances can be particularly hazardous and it is important that anyone using or handling these substances has received appropriate training so that they can do their work safely. This includes when the substances are being transported by road. Driving is already a hazardous task, when dangerous … Read More
MORE NEW COVID SAFETY RULES FOR SCOTLAND AND WALES
Last week the Welsh Government announced that from 27th December nightclubs must close and there will be a 2 metre rule on social distancing in offices and extra measures to protect customers and staff. The Welsh Government provided some more detail and brought the introduction of the new measures forward to 26th December with the announcement of a return to … Read More
NEW WORKPLACE COVID SAFETY RULES FOR SCOTLAND AND WALES
In Scotland new regulations were introduced on 17th December. Under previous regulations, employers were required to have regard to guidance published by the Scottish Government. The new regulations expand on this, and now require businesses to take measures based on official guidance to reduce the incidence and spread of the virus. Specifically, the regulations state that anyone who is responsible for … Read More
WORKING FROM HOME IN ENGLAND
The introduction of new COVID safety measures in England saw the return of a recommendation to work from home where practical, specifically advice that “Office workers who can work from home should do so from Monday 13th December”. Working from home advice in Scotland and Wales has not changed. The Government has now updated the official working safely guides for … Read More
WORKING IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
Working outdoors during the winter months can present risk to those who are unprepared. Icy conditions can be extremely hazardous for pedestrians and very challenging for drivers of moving vehicles and plant, working near to water in freezing temperatures requires extra care to ensure that ice patches are not created by work activities, and snow can greatly increase dangers. If … Read More
SAFE WINTER DRIVING
Driving is one of the most dangerous activities we undertake and we often do it without thinking about it. Most of us will have at some point arrived at our destination and not been able to remember parts of the journey. We treat driving as second nature and yet over 1000 people die in vehicle accidents each year. Whilst at … Read More
DEALING WITH SNOW AND ICE
It is sometimes claimed that you will be held responsible if you attempt to clear ice or snow beyond your boundaries and someone slips over. However, it is unlikely that you will be sued or held responsible if you take care, clear the snow or ice carefully, make a proper attempt to improve the situation and don’t do anything silly. … Read More
COVID UPDATE: ENGLAND MOVES TO PLAN B
In response to the Omicron variant the Government has announced a number of changes to current covid safety regulations and guidance. Full details of the new regulations and guidance were not available at the time of writing, but are expected to be published shortly. In the meantime in summary: From Friday 10th December there will be a legal requirement for … Read More
Face Coverings In England
Alongside tighter controls on international travel, following the discovery of the Omicron Covid-19 variant, from 4:00am today (30th November 2021) the government has reintroduced the compulsory wearing of face coverings in a number of settings in England. Areas where face coverings must now be worn include: Shops and enclosed shopping centres. Banks, building societies, credit unions, Post Offices and similar … Read More
End of SSP COVID-19 rebate scheme
The government brought the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme to an end on Thursday 30 September 2021. If you’re eligible for a rebate you have until Friday 31 December 2021 to apply via the online service. To reclaim SSP you must: Have already paid your employee’s sick pay Claim for an employee who’s eligible for sick pay due to … Read More