Two employers recently received significant fines after children were killed or seriously injured by falling trees on their property. In the first case Newcastle City Council were fined £280,000 after an incident on 25th September 2020 in which a tree in poor condition in a school playground, fell causing the death of a six year old girl. In the second … Read More
Consultation Launched on Mandatory Sprinklers in Care Homes and Second Staircases in Residential Buildings
The Government has launched an open consultation on proposed amendments to Approved Document B: Fire Safety of the building regulations as they apply in England. The main topics of the consultation include requiring sprinklers to be installed in all new care homes regardless of building height and to require new residential buildings above a specified height to be built with … Read More
New Guidance for Supporting Employees with Disabilities and Long-term Health Issues
Statistics show that despite record high levels of employment in the UK currently there is still a significant disability employment gap and disabled people are twice as likely to fall out of work once gaining work. The HSE has published new guidance to help employers support their disabled staff and those with long-term health conditions. The guidance is primarily aimed … Read More
Working Minds Campaign Anniversary
The HSE launched their Working Minds campaign in November 2021 in response to a worsening of employee’s health during the pandemic. To mark the first anniversary of the campaign the HSE have announced that since starting the campaign the number of partners has more than doubled reaching 1000 signed up champions with the most recent additions being the Institution for … Read More
PIB Group acquires Emprocom Ltd
PIB Group Ltd (‘PIB’) has acquired health and safety specialists Emprocom Ltd (‘Emprocom’), who bring complementary services and expertise to the Group’s risk management proposition. Based in Lincolnshire and servicing clients across further afield across the East Midlands, Emprocom will form part of the PIB Risk Management division. The two businesses enjoy an existing relationship, which has led to the … Read More
New Guidance for Medical Oxygen in Care Homes
The British Compressed Gasses Association (BCGA) have issued new guidance covering the safe use of medicinal oxygen, in both gas and liquid form, and associated devices in care homes. Oxygen therapy is a common treatment used to manage a variety of prevalent health problems. However there are a number of hazards associated with the use of medicinal oxygen including: Fire … Read More
Incorrectly Installed Fire Dampers
Fire dampers are a means of fire protection used in heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems which act to prevent the spread of fire through ducting. Where temperatures rise the fire damper closes to limit the spread of fire. Typically these are operated by having a component which melts when a certain temperature is reached, allowing the damper to close. … Read More
Bank Holiday Announced for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral
Monday 19 September, the date of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral, and last day of the period of national mourning, will be a national bank holiday. This national bank holiday will allow individuals, businesses, and organisations to pay their respect to Her Majesty and commemorate Her reign. This bank holiday will operate like other bank holidays, such as … Read More
Telescopic Ladder Failures
Recent research by The Ladder Association has found that up to 80% of telescopic ladders sold failed to meet the minimum safety requirements set out in BS EN 131-6 Ladders – Telescopic Ladders. This is especially concerning considering their rise in popularity alongside the fact that many of the largest and most trusted sellers were involved in selling these ladders. … Read More
Extending Responsibility for Packaging Waste
Currently, organisations that handle 50 or more tonnes of packaging or packaging materials in a calendar year (i.e. January to December) and have an annual turnover of more than £2 million must register as a packaging producer, meet recycling obligations and provide evidence of compliance. The government recently announced that with effect from 1st January 2023 these requirements will be … Read More