Will Employment Tribunal and EAT fees be introduced as expected?
Back in February this year, the previous Conservative Government launched a public consultation on its proposal to re-introduce Employment Tribunal (ET) and Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) fees. This announcement was significant, because fees had previously been in place until a Supreme Court ruling in 2017 deemed them to be unlawful because they prevented access to […]
UK Health and Safety Statistics: Key Figures from the HSE Annual Report
Each year in November, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) releases its annual statistics on work-related ill health and workplace injuries, and this month, they have published the latest trends and figures. For the year 2023/24, key facts and figures published include: 1.7 million workers reported work related in health, a decrease on the previous […]
Individual risk assessment needed
The HSE has updated its guidance in relation to the need to carry out individual risk assessments for pregnant workers and new mothers. Previously employers may have relied upon standard risk assessments. Employers have a specific duty to prevent a new or expectant mother from being exposed to a risk once an employer is informed […]
Companies fined for safety breaches
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that two companies have failed in their duty to provide a safe system of work. Leeds Magistrates’ Court heard that a delivery driver who was working for Brighouse Pallet Services Ltd was struck by falling pallets, whilst unloading from a HGV trailer. The incident occurred […]
Construction company heavily fined
Construction worker dies after falling from tower A construction company has been fined after a worker died as a result of falling from a mobile tower and later died in hospital. Cambridge Magistrates Court heard how Sean Harding was working from a mobile tower flattening a steel beam that was positioned on a door lintel. […]
Health and Safety Investigation: Falls from Height
This interesting case shows how a seemingly basic task could have ended in fatal consequences due to the employer not correctly risk assessing the work being undertaken and also the workers allowing the unsafe work to continue without raising concerns. Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work-related fatalities in this […]
Health and Safety – Legal Minimum Requirements
This guidance article will help you to consider health and safety in your workplace; because of the size and complexity of the relevant legislation, it can only provide the basic facts and is therefore not exhaustive. Some regulations apply to all workplaces: others are specific to industries with known hazards. Note that employees are required […]
Health and Safety Update December 2020
Covid-19 Secure Spot Checks HSE is continuing to conduct spot checks and inspections to ensure workplaces are Covid-19 secure. Their inspections will enable businesses to seek further advice on how to manage the risks, protect workers, customers, and visitors. Participation in the spot checks is critical, and so where there is failure to do so, could […]
Health & Safety News: increase in companies being prosecuted due to crush injuries
In recent months there has been an increase in crush injuries that have taken place in companies that span an array of different industries with the following just a brief example of some of the cases that have been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE): A company, which manufactures adhesive tape, has been […]
Health and Safety: New Sentencing Guidelines
The Sentencing Council for England and Wales promotes greater consistency in sentencing, whilst maintaining the independence of the judiciary. The Council produces guidelines on sentencing for the judiciary and criminal justice professionals and aims to extend public understanding of sentencing. They need released guidelines to affect the breach of duty of the employer towards employees […]
New Health, Safety and Environment Division for HR Solutions
HR Solutions is a leading firm of HR consultants and advisors; and we have recently made a key appointment to launch our new Health, Safety and Environment division, called HSE Solutions. Based in Kettering, we operate in a variety of industries and have a client list ranging from small care agencies to multinational technology firms. To […]