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 […]
The worldwide economic impact of COVID-19

The economic impact of the coronavirus continues to be felt by industries, businesses and employees across the world. Firms face navigating the complexities of keeping customers, employees and suppliers safe; shoring-up cash and liquidity; re-orientating operations and navigating the various government funding programmes that are available. Ten months of COVID-19 It’s been ten months since […]
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 […]
Protecting Your Business

At a time of uncertainty, you will want to do everything within your means to keep your business running smoothly and to limit risk. As we continue to respond to Covid-19, managing the employment relationship is even more critical to ensure your business can survive and thrive. The biggest cost to any employer is its […]
Waste company director banned after repeated health and safety failings

In a recent case, relating to health and safety, the director of a waste transfer company has been banned from being a company director after being found guilty of exposing employees to unsafe working conditions. Preston Crown Court heard evidence that in November 2018, Mr Mohammed allowed his workers to continue to use a poorly […]
HSE release annual workplace injury and ill-health statistics for UK

The number of people experiencing ill-health and injury in workplaces across the UK remains too high, according to the HSE’s latest statistics. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has released the 2019 Health and Safety at work annual report which includes statistics for workplace injuries, work-related ill health, working days loss, enforcement action and related […]
5 ways to boost employee productivity

The UK’s productivity growth fell this year to a new record low across both the 21st and the 20th century, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Productivity provides the foundations for economic growth, good jobs and higher wages, but the UK is falling seriously short. Ireland can boast to producing the […]
Landmark Case: Working Time Regulations

Employers may be required to record hours worked each day for each worker: Federación de Servicios de Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) v Deutsche Bank SAE This is a landmark case which found that employers must measure the actual number of hours worked each day by each worker (for the avoidance of doubt, this includes employees). It forces […]
Seven out of 10 UK workers go to work even when sick

Workers in the UK believe their employers value the company’s performance ahead of the health and wellbeing of the workforce.Research has found that millions of employees still go to work despite being ill, with workers worrying about taking time off sick because of heavy workloads and employers’ expectations. The survey by insurance company, Aviva, […]
How to Manage Staff When It’s Too Hot to Work

With a second heatwave predicted to hit the UK at the end of July, we’re taking a look at what you need to know when it feels like it’s too hot to work… Whilst the scorching heat at the start of the month seems like a distant memory, early reports predict that we will see a […]
Tube Staff to Strike Over Night Shift Work

A 24-hour strike will start tonight (8th July) as unions representing 20,000 employees failed to reach an agreement with London Underground over night shift pay and working conditions. Transport for London has said that additional means of public transport will be available for the duration of the strike. Why are the Tube staff on strike? The Tube staff […]
Should E-Cigarettes Be Banned from Offices?

An increasing number of businesses and employers are taking action against the use of e-cigarettes in the workplace, despite having no legal grounds to do so. The question of whether or not to ban e-cigarettes from the workplace poses a number of important questions for employers and could lead to tensions between employees. The practice […]
Dangers of Working Holidays

The Christmas period means a seasonal slowdown in some industries, but for many December is the busiest and most stressful month of the year. If it’s not an increase in demand as people rush to get things done before Christmas itself, it’s the need to get everything signed off and finished before the end of […]