Risks to workers from extreme heat must be managed Employers need to act now to make sure their workers are protected as a heat health alert has been issued for parts of the country until Thursday 25 June. That’s the message from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the country’s workplace regulator, as summer arrives...
A healthy work environment is one that supports employees’ physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. While safety compliance is an essential part of this, workplace health also extends to culture, comfort, and day-to-day habits of the workforce. What is a healthy work environment? A healthy work environment is somewhere people can do their jobs safely, feel...
Leisure firm fined after death of footballer electrocuted by floodlight A leisure facilities management company has been fined after a man was electrocuted while playing football in Portsmouth. Albert Xhediku, 34, had been playing five-a-side with his friends on the all-weather pitch at Mountbatten Leisure centre on 17 January 2016. After the ball went out...
Substance misuse is the unsafe or inappropriate use of alcohol, illegal drugs, or prescription and over-the-counter medication. It can affect a person’s health, behaviour, work, relationships, and safety, and may continue even when it causes harm. In the workplace, drug and alcohol misuse can lead to lateness, absenteeism, reduced productivity, and a greater risk of...
Anyone can be affected by substance misuse, and while employers cannot control every facet of an employee’s wellbeing, they can develop a positive workplace culture that supports healthy lifestyle choices. These are ten practical tips for preventing substance misuse in the workplace. 1. Create a clear policy Your organisation should have a clear and up-to-date...
Construction company fined after man died on ‘death trap’ site A construction company has been fined after a man drowned when he fell into an exposed excavation hole described as a ‘death trap’, at a building site in Hertfordshire. Mykhalio Hustei had been working for Alchemist DB Limited as a labourer on a project building...
As part of June’s Hazard of the Month, Substance Misuse, we’re highlighting two key areas: Drugs and Alcohol at Work & Healthy Living Awareness. Drugs and Alcohol at Work Employers have a legal duty to protect the health, safety, and welfare of their employees. Being able to identify the signs of drug and alcohol misuse is...
New and expectant mothers are a particularly vulnerable group who may be affected by health and safety risks at work. As a result, there are a number of statutory instruments such as the Management of Health and Safety Regulations 1999, the Employments Rights Act 1996, Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 and the Equality...
Evacuation plans are required by law to ensure that everybody knows what to do in the case of an emergency. It is important that your plans are specific to your workplace and take all potential factors into account. What are some evacuation hazards? Evacuation hazards should hopefully be rare events and may be location dependent....
It is important for employers to look after a pregnant worker’s health and wellbeing during pregnancy, keeping them safe from workplace hazards and supporting them during and after their pregnancy. 1. Consult company policies After your employee has made you aware of their pregnancy, you should find out about your company’s pregnancy and maternity policies...