Allergies or intolerances to various substances are a part of everyday life, it is estimated that 2 million people in the UK have some form of food allergy or intolerance. While for many people an allergic reaction may be uncomfortable but not severe, sometimes the consequences of consuming the wrong food can be devastating. In July 2016, while on a … Read More

In normal years it is estimated that around 600,00 workers suffer from work-related stress, depression or anxiety (new or longstanding) and over 12 million working days are lost to these causes, making this the number one cause of employee sickness absence. With added anxiety caused by Coronavirus, it is no surprise that this is a serious issue. Recently the HSE … Read More

The latest figures issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show a fall in the number of prosecutions and notices issued for breaches of health and safety regulations in 2020/21. In the latest year, 185 cases prosecuted by the HSE (or referred to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service for prosecution in Scotland) resulted in a conviction for … Read More

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

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

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 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

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

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

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