Understanding Health and Safety Law
Health and safety laws ensure that work environments are safe and that risks are minimised through proper practices and precautions. For employers, adhering to health and safety regulations is not only a legal obligation but also a critical aspect of responsible business operations. It helps prevent workplace accidents, reduces potential liabilities, and fosters a culture […]
What is COSHH?
COSHH is a high-risk area of health and safety compliance for employers dealing with hazardous substances. The penalties for non-compliance with COSHH include prosecution and unlimited fines. In certain serious cases, for instance, where an individual died as a result of a breach of COSHH, the responsible persons may face imprisonment. In this guide, we […]
HSE Improvement & Prohibition Notices Guide
Receiving an HSE prohibition notice can be daunting, especially given the potentially serious consequences that can arise from this for a business. Below we look at what prohibition notices are and the circumstances in which these will be issued by the HSE. We also look at the impact of being served a prohibition notice and […]
Bad Weather Policy (Employer Tips)
Extreme weather conditions can be hugely disruptive to business operations, if employees are snowed in at home, while others arrive several hours late due to travel disruption. Living in the UK, with its unpredictable and varied climate, it makes sense for employers to have a bad weather policy. This will help to minimise operational impact […]
Gas Safety Regulations (How to Comply)
The Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998, and the subsequent changes made to the legislation in 2018, outline the legal requirements placed on any person responsible for the installation, servicing, maintenance or repair of gas appliances, fittings and flues in most domestic and commercial premises, with the intention of protecting the public from gas-related […]
Health and Safety First Aid Regulations 1981
The Health and Safety First Aid Regulations 1981 place an obligation on employers to make available to their employees an ‘adequate and appropriate’ first aid provision. The first aid regulations apply to all workplaces, regardless of the number of employees and to self-employed individuals too. What is seen as adequate and appropriate will vary depending […]
RIDDOR Employee Responsibilities (What They Should Do!)
Although all employees have a role to play in reducing health and safety risks in the workplace, the duty to report specific incidents under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) applies only to certain individuals, known as ‘responsible persons’. RIDDOR does not impose responsibilities on ‘ordinary’ employees. While employees who […]
Guide to the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957
The Occupiers Liability Act 1957 states that the occupier of a premises in England and Wales may be held responsible where a visitor to that premises is injured or their property is damaged. The Occupiers Liability Act 1984 was created to clarify the position of occupiers’ liability with regard to trespassers by separating out lawful […]
Manual Handling Regulations (A Guide)
The Manual Handlings Operations Regulations 1992, later amended by the Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002, places a legal requirement on employers to avoid dangerous manual handling, to assess any risk of injury from manual handling, to train all employees who are involved in manual handling at work, and to reduce any risks as […]
Fire Safety Regulations (Employers’ Guide)
Employers are legally required to carry out a fire risk assessment in the workplace and put resulting fire safety measures in place to ensure the safety of their workers and the general public in the case of a fire. This requirement is in accordance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in England and […]
RIDDOR Regulations – Reporting Accidents at Work
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) sets out the guidelines and requirements of responsible parties, such as employers, to record and report work-related incidents. Who is responsible for reporting under the RIDDOR regulations? Any employer who is in control of and responsible for a work premises is required to report […]
Employers’ Liability: Your Health & Safety Responsibilities
As an employer, if you fail to take reasonable steps to ensure a safe working environment, and an employee is injured or suffers illness as a result, you may find yourself defending a claim for compensation. The following guide looks briefly at the law relating to employers liability claims and, in turn, what steps can […]
Minimum Working Temperature – What the Law Says!
Under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, employers are required to keep the temperature in the workplace to a ‘reasonable’ level. In practice, what would be classed as ‘reasonable’? Minimum working temperature There is no set minimum working temperature, however, the Workplace regulations suggest that the general minimum working temperature should be 16 […]
What does RIDDOR stand for?
A common health and safety question asked by employers is “What does RIDDOR stand for?” RIDDOR refers to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013, which place a legal duty on employers and other individuals responsible for work premises to report and keep records of certain serious workplace accidents, occupational diseases and […]
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 Employees Responsibilities
Ensuring your employees understand their duties in respect of health and safety and that they are supported in meeting these duties is critical to creating and maintaining a safe and compliant working environment. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 places legal responsibilities on employees to exercise reasonable care concerning the health and safety […]
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (A Guide!)
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 has set the legal basis and framework for health and safety in the UK workplace. Under the act, employers have a number of responsibilities towards employees and others in their company workplaces including temps, casual workers, the self-employed, clients, visitors and the general public. Failing to meet your employer […]
Health and Safety legislation (A Guide for Employers)
In accordance with the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, employers are responsible for managing the health and safety of their business, and for ensuring that their employees and anyone affected by their business are protected in the areas of health, safety and welfare. They must assess any risk in the workplace, keep […]
How to Carry Out a Workplace Risk Assessment
An effective risk assessment can help ensure you meet your duties as an employer under health and safety laws. An employer may delegate the task of risk assessment to a competent individual or third party, but they ultimately have a legal responsibility for both the risk assessment and the health and safety relating to their […]
Health and Safety Responsibilities of Employees
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (the Act) ensures health and safety in the workplace. Although primary responsibility lies with the employer, the Act also specifies the health and safety responsibilities of employees to ensure the health, safety and welfare of people in the workplace is sufficiently safeguarded. The respective responsibilities rely heavily […]
Managing Health and Safety in the Workplace
As an employer you are required by law to comply with your duties for managing health and saftey in the workplace under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Part 1 of The Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 requires employers to take all reasonably practicable steps to safeguard the health, safety […]