Due to their hazardous properties limits are set for the amount of certain substances that people may be exposed to at work. A workplace exposure limit (WEL) is the maximum concentration of an airborne substance averaged over a reference period which employees may be exposed to by inhalation. The HSE’s publication EH40/2005 Workplace exposure limits includes the list of substances … Read More
The Secret Life of the Office Toilet, What is Your Washroom Used For?
All employers are required suitable welfare facilities for their workers, this includes: suitable and sufficient sanitary conveniences; suitable and sufficient washing facilities; an adequate supply of wholesome drinking water; suitable and sufficient rest facilities; and where meals are regularly eaten in the workplace, suitable and sufficient facilities for persons at work to eat meals Regulations go on to say that, … Read More
Asbestos Identified in Bunsen Burner Gauze Mats
Gauze mats for use with Bunsen burners supplied by two UK laboratory supply companies have been identified as containing asbestos in the centre area. The HSE has issued enforcement notices to stop the supply of the asbestos containing mats and ensure that affected mats are disposed of safely. They have also issued advice for schools, colleges and others that may … Read More
Manual Handling and Sickness Absence
Figures recently released by the Office for National Statistics show that, musculoskeletal problems (including back pain, neck and upper limb problems etc) were responsible for 28.2 million days lost to sickness in 2017. The figures were higher for men at 28% of days lost compared to 18.4% for women. Musculoskeletal problems can often be a result of poor manual handling … Read More
National Minimum Wage – The Current Situation
The National Minimum Wage has been the focus of many legal cases recently, with everything from sleep-in shifts and whistleblowing, to national naming and shaming for firms failing to pay the NMW. With so much going on, it can be easy to lose track of what you need to be aware of, and what the latest ruling is. So, here … Read More
When is Workplace Surveillance acceptable?
A recent report by the TUC found that over half of UK workers believe they are being monitored by a senior member of staff at work. What form does surveillance take? Technology can now be deployed for monitoring in a variety of different ways. Digital monitoring includes techniques such as location tracking, CCTV, facial recognition, social media monitoring, and keyboard … Read More
Indirect discrimination and failing to make reasonable adjustments
A designer whose role was changed after her employer became concerned about her anxiety disorder, has won claims for disability discrimination and failure to make reasonable adjustment at her place of work. Jenna Frost, who had suffered from anxiety throughout her life, worked as a senior designer at Colchester-based Retail Design Solutions from April 2014. The tribunal heard that her … Read More
Tougher sentences for manslaughter
Last year we reported how the Sentencing Council for England and Wales had launched a consultation on proposals on how offenders convicted of manslaughter should be sentenced in England and Wales. New guidelines, to be used from 1st November 2018, have now been launched. The guidelines cover different types of manslaughter, (manslaughter by unlawful act, gross negligence, loss of control, … Read More
Avoiding National Minimum Wage naming and shaming
July saw the second round of NMW (National Minimum Wage) naming and shaming. With it came another 22,400 employees receiving back pay, as well as a further £8.4 million in fines to pay to the Government, with some firms not having paid minimum wage correctly for over 6 years! The fact we have seen a second round of ‘naming and … Read More
When is it legal to access an employee’s medical records?
It is essential to have a medical report for an employee if you’re considering dismissing for capability reasons or looking at whether an employee has a disability and therefore requires reasonable adjustments at work. Medical reports can be obtained from a doctor, or from Occupational Health, but it’s sensitive information and GDPR provides extra protections for sensitive data. Obtaining a … Read More