Health and Safety is a dynamic and complex subject. Read a selection of articles that provide an up to date perspective, highlighting some of the necessary actions required by employers on some of the current topical issues.

Tougher Penalties – The only way is up!

The Health and Safety (Offences) Bill is making its way through Parliament, with its third reading in the House of Lords due on 10 October 2008.

The Bill will, if it makes law, have an impact upon the fines imposed upon organisations and individuals for breach of health and safety legislation.

Positive Organisational Culture - The DNA of a Productive Workforce

In today’s 24/7 society, workplace pressures continue to mount. Productivity demands, information overload and increasing pressure to balance work and home lives are all taking their toll on employees’ health, well-being and job satisfaction. HSE commissioned research has indicated that approximately half a million people in the UK experience work-related pressure at a level that they believe is making them ill and in each case an average of 29 working days lost are lost.

“Alarming” Health and Safety figures for 2006/07

New figures published in November 2007 by the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) are ringing alarm bells for employers, the HSE and the Government.The figures reveal a true picture of the real risks faced by real people, every day of their working lives and the suffering that occurs when health and safety management systems and practices fail. Last year over 140,000 reported workplace accidents took place resulting in employees suffering injuries such as fractures, chemical burns and amputations.

Managing Health and Safety in a “compensation culture”

There is an increasing pressure on employers to actively promote effective health and safety measures in the workplace to reduce accidents and ill health. This article examines some of the ways employers can positively respond to these pressures, whilst keeping one eye on rising insurance costs.

Getting ready for Corporate Manslaughter!

More than half of the UK’s employers are not prepared for the impending Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act, which is expected to come into force next year.A recent survey conducted by business information provider Croner found that 51% of employers were not prepared for the Act, while 48% believed it would not affect them.

New Guidance on Directors’ Duties launched

The emphasis is firmly on leadership in new guidance for company directors and board members issued jointly by the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) and the Institute of Directors (IoD)“Leading health and safety at work” was officially launched on 29 October 2007.

Who needs Health and Safety Training?

In 2006/7 in Great Britain 2.2 million people suffered from work related ill health, 142,000 other injuries were reported under RIDDOR and 241 people were killed at work. HSE issued 20% more enforcement notices and industry was fined a total of over £13 million for failing to comply with health and safety laws”.

Employers urged to do more on tackling the Stress Epidemic!

Workplace stress is the biggest occupational cause of working days lost through injury or ill health, and is responsible for up to 40% of all absences from work.

Safety, Health and Environmental training and consultancy

Tougher Penalties – The only way is up!