Martyn’s Law: What It Means for Your Business
In response to increasing threats of terrorism and the urgent need to enhance public safety, the UK government is introducing the Terrorism (Protection Of Premises) Bill, also known as Martyn’s Law. Named in honour of Martyn Hett, a victim of the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, this legislation will require persons with control of certain premises […]
Silica Dust: A Growing Workplace Hazard and How to Protect Workers
Silica is a naturally occurring substance found in most rocks, sand, and clay. Its concentration varies—sandstone contains over 70% silica, while granite has around 15-30%. Silica is also a key component of construction materials such as bricks, tiles, concrete, and mortar. When these materials are cut, drilled, ground, or polished, they release a fine, invisible […]
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 […]
50 Years of the Health and Safety at Work Act
2024 is the 50th year of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSAWA). It is the principle piece of legislation for occupational health and safety in Great Britain and operates alongside other health and safety Acts of law. It was introduced following Lord Robens commissioned report into safety and health at work which […]
Morrisons fail to overturn court ruling that found not them guilty of taking steps to mitigate risks posed by an employee’s medical condition
In 2023, Morrisons Supermarket was fined £3.5 million for failing to prevent the death of a store worker who had epilepsy and were convicted for three health and safety offences. At the end of last month, the company lost their bid to overturn this ruling. This is a tragic accident which lead to Morrisons being […]
No Falls Week
According to statistics published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) it has been identified that tragically, between 2022 and 2023, the main cause of fatalities at work was due to falls from a height. This resulted in 40 workers losing their lives. Launching the first No Falls Week This year, the first ever No Falls Week will run […]
Whistleblowing in the workplace
The recent allegations against Russell Brand in the mainstream media have highlighted the importance of workplace safety, an employer’s duty of care and the need for strong whistleblowing policies for businesses. Whistleblowing is the colloquial term commonly used to describe the disclosure by a worker of some wrongdoing (such as fraud, misleading the public or […]
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 […]
Outsourced HR: The Pros and Cons
Outsourced HR is a contractual agreement between an employer and an external third-party provider whereby the employer transfers the management of, and processing of key employment practices for certain HR functions to the external provider. If you are struggling to keep up with HR tasks in your organisation, or simply don’t see a full time […]
10 Trends Which Will Shape Your HR Strategy
Each year, we look at the key trends that will shape HR strategies for employers, due to policy changes, social, economic, and political factors. It is likely that developments in HR policy will continue throughout 2022 and as we continue to adapt the way in which we work because of the pandemic, we must also […]
Seven things to do if COVID-19 restrictions in England end early
The latest COVID-19 development on 9 February raises the question of whether all COVID-19 restrictions will end early for England, including the requirement to self-isolate when positive. At present, we are working to measures being relaxed when the Regulations expire on 24 March, however, it was announced yesterday that the requirement to self-isolate may end […]
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. […]
Highest Health and Safety Executive fine for 2021
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued its highest value fine for 2021 to rail operator W.H. Malcom Ltd. following a boy’s death. The company must pay £6.5m after it was found guilty of negligence after an 11-year-old boy was fatally electrocuted in 2017. The boy managed to get into the Daventry International Rail […]
Health and Safety in the News
Health and Safety accident results in £20,000 fine A manufacturing company has been fined in excess of £20,000 after a health and safety accident. A worker’s hand was drawn into a roller and crushed after the company had not correctly assessed the risks involved. At the time of the accident, Chris Ellor, a director of […]
Health & Safety division celebrates first anniversary
HR Solutions is celebrating its first full year of servicing clients for health and safety. In August 2020, we took the decision to launch the service, following feedback from our clients. Dominic Greenwood heads up the division, taking it from a standing start to boasting more than 20 clients in less than 12 months. Despite […]
Manufacturing company fined after workers exposed to asbestos
Power Link Machines (UK) Ltd was sentenced for safety breaches after the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) was informed the company was using gaskets within its generator sets that contained asbestos. Prohibition Notice The company was served with a Prohibition Notice on 26 March 2018 requiring them to stop the use of these gaskets and […]
Coronavirus Tribunal Claim: dismissal for refusing to wear a face mask
The UK is now starting to see claims at employment tribunal connected to employment disputes arising out of the pandemic. Coronavirus related employment claims can include breach of contract and discrimination in respect of Furlough, both in terms of the selection and process in managing the scheme and unfair dismissal claims in respect of redundancy […]
Safe System of Work Could Have Prevented Accident
A mattress manufacturer was fined after an employee was dragged into machine and suffered multiple injuries. This article shows how accidents can happen if machines are not checked properly and the correct safety control measures are not evident. It also shows how easy it is to access moving parts of machines. Where there is a […]
Interesting Case: Breach of Health and Safety Regulations
The following interesting health and safety case shows how even the biggest employers and well-respected companies that we all use still have difficulty in checking, maintaining and making their equipment safe. This accident could have been far worse and could have resulted in the worker not only losing their arm but the effect this could […]
