Our health and safety section covers general health and safety
within a low-risk environment. Read our guides to
ensure you keep within the law, and follow best practice.
Legal minimum requirements
Employment protection
Risk assessments
Safety representatives
Health and safety meetings
Accident reporting and records
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH)
Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act
Disabled workers - health and safety considerations
It's now a year since the smoking ban took effect. Most employers seem to
have found its introduction to be fairly smooth.
The RAC's latest Vehicle Fault Analysis report claims that fleet drivers have
more accidents, take less care of their vehicles, fail to carry out basic checks and
frequently fill up with the wrong fuel. The RAC suggest that regular driver checks,
together with three-monthly independent inspections, would improve the general
condition of vehicles and "demonstrate mitigation in the event that an accident
lands a company in court". The data showed that fleet drivers were twice as
likely to be involved in a road accident compared to the average motorist.
See: driving.
A recent case (Stevenson v J M Skinner & Co) found that whilst
employers must undertake a risk assessment once they are informed that an
employee is pregnant, and must record this, they do not have to hand over a
copy of the assessment to the employee provided that information about the risks
is provided orally to that employee.
See:pregnant workers.
The Health and Safety (Offences) Bill proposes to amend the Health and Safety
at Work etc Act 1974 to raise the maximum penalties available to the courts in
respect of certain health and safety offences. The aim is that sentences should
be sufficient to deter those tempted to break the law and deal appropriately with
those who do commit offences. See: recent and forthcoming legislation.
