Workplace Policy & Safety

Construction site accidents are common, but the majority of the time they are so easily avoidable. Working on a construction site should always be a safe operation. Here’s everything you need to know about the most common type of on-site accidents and how you can prevent them from happening. Most Common Construction Accidents There are […]

A PPE compliance audit for safety footwear is a must to ensure that all safety shoes, boots, trainers, and other protective footwear on site comply with the relevant regulations and meet workplace safety standards. Because safety footwear is such a crucial part of personal protective equipment (PPE), carrying out regular audits helps uncover potential issues before they […]

To protect workers from risk at work, it is essential to train them on how to properly use personal protective equipment (PPE). Proper PPE use can reduce the risk of injury, prevent accidents, and ensure compliance to safety and health legislation. Here’s how to train your employees effectively: 1. Start with a Risk Assessment Before […]

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) management might seem to be a low priority for small businesses, but it is essential for worker safety. Understanding your PPE responsibilities is crucial whether you are a sole trader, have less than ten employees, or run a business with up to 50 employees. In construction, engineering workshops, and similar industries, common […]

Failure to comply with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) standards not only endangers worker’s lives, but it can also result in significant financial penalties, reputational harm, and even criminal prosecution. While providing proper PPE may appear to be a costly expense, non-compliance can have serious repercussions. In this article, we’ll look at the real-world implications of disregarding PPE […]

A recent survey found that nearly one in four construction workers in the UK may be exposed to asbestos, which places them at a higher risk of contracting terminal illnesses later in life, despite the fact that asbestos has been banned since 1999. The survey’s findings plus the fact that there are potentially half a […]

As we approach the 50th anniversary of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSWA) on 31st July 2024, it is a good time to reflect on the profound impact this landmark legislation has had on the UK workforce. Introduced at a time when workplace safety was far from guaranteed, the HSWA has transformed […]

If your employer states you have to wear one, you can generally claim tax back for washing your work uniform. Read on for further explanation as how much you can claim and even if you can claim may depend on your job role and how the uniform is paid for. PLEASE NOTE: This article is […]

Anyone working in a cold environment is at risk of cold stress. In several industries, employers require workers to work outdoors in cold environments for extended periods of time, and spending too much time in the cold can have fatal consequences. Cold stress is just the beginning of the issues that could follow, but it […]

Most people know about the dangers of skin cancer and sunburn. But when your employees work outside in the summer, how can they protect themselves from these dangers? One of the easiest and most logical answers is sun cream. Is it your responsibility to provide your workers with sunscreen as an employer? The Ugly Truth […]

High temperatures and blistering sunshine can pose a great danger for your employees working in the sun. You might think that in the UK, high temperatures are so rare that it’s not worth worrying about. You’d be wrong. Skin can burn in minutes under strong sunshine, which can seem to come out of nowhere. It […]

The British weather is (in)famous for its rain, meaning that those who work outside are at risk of getting wet. Are there any specific ‘working in the rain’ regulations? What are an employers’ responsibilities when employees are working in wet weather? Do you continue to work in the rain? What Should You Know About Working in the Rain? […]

The week 5th Feb – 11th Feb, 2022 marks Tinnitus Week in the UK. Most of us have left a nightclub or concert with a dull ringing in our ears that usually disappears before the hangover. Or maybe you’ve had a particularly loud day at work with hammers banging and grinders grinding and you notice […]

Chainsaws can be dangerous when they aren’t operated correctly or when the appropriate measures have not been put in place with regards to safety. Protect your chainsaw operators and closely working workers before they’re placed in danger. Here’s how managers can conduct a chainsaw risk assessment in 6 steps. 1. Write down details pertaining to […]

In this article you will learn: Different types of ppe signage and symbols; Why safety symbols were developed; What safety symbols are; PPE symbols and their meanings; The different colours of safety symbols; How to know what PPE to wear in specific workplaces. Symbols are quite literally everywhere. It’s universally recognised that man and woman […]

All people who work at your company must be treated equally in terms of dress codes. That covers differences in gender, physical attributes, age, religion and anything else covered under the Equality Act 2010. Read on for further explanation on the law on company dress codes. The Equality Act 2010 This Act of Parliament became […]

PPE is designed to protect workers from workplace hazards and risk but PPE may not last as long as you may think. Once you have the equipment, your job is not over – It all depends on how often your PPE is used and in which conditions. PPE needs to be inspected regularly to measure […]

The weather can play a huge role in dictating whether or not it is safe to be working outdoors. Working in high winds is a risk that is less discussed but it can be just as deadly to ignore. Workers need to know the risks and hazards associated, and how best to mitigate them. Severe […]

Daily contact with hazardous materials at work can lead to serious health problems later on in life for your or your staff. Occupational diseases can be horrific and fatal, so it is always worth educating yourself on how you can prevent them. As an employer – it is your responsibility to make sure you control […]

If your company has five employees or more, you must have a written workplace health and safety policy. You should bring this to the attention of your employees via training.  Is it time to renew your Health and Safety Policy? There is no set time for renewal of your health and safety policy. However, you […]

Working on the road exposes your team to hazards at the best of times, but in the summer there are added dangers. By reading this article, you will be able to outline how to maximise your road workers’ safety in the warmer months of the year. Find out how you can keep your employees safe […]

English summers are getting hotter each year making it difficult for workers to keep cool in summer. The sad fact of climate change is that this may well be the coolest summer of your life. This increase in heat increases the dangers to outdoor workers. Even on overcast days, the sun can still cause burns […]

Sun exposure causes most skin cancer. The exposure may be long term or short term – where there are periods of intense sun exposure, causing burns. UV light in sunlight damages the DNA in the skin cells, and over time, this damage can lead to skin cancer. If your employees work outside in hot weather, […]

The first PPE Directive was adopted over two decades ago in 1992 and later revised in 2002, meaning an update was long overdue. On the 12th February 2016, the new regulation was adopted in order for industries to stay on top of burgeoning technologies designed to help keep employees safe in the workplace. The directive […]

It is important to understand how heat when working outside can affect your workers health both long and short term. With the weather rising each year, you must revise your policies to keep your staff safe while working outside. Here are 3 policies you need to address in order to work safely in the sun. […]

Heat stress is a major threat to many workers, especially those who work outside in the summer months. But do not forget that heat stress at work is a threat all year round. Those who work in factories and bakeries are vulnerable to heat-related illnesses, no matter what the season. To operate safely as a […]

If carried out incorrectly, vehicle loading can put your workforce at great risk. Not only of injuring themselves, they could also jeopardise the safety of other road users. If carried out against procedure, loading can be financially costly to your business too. Here are the various do’s and don’ts you should bear in mind when […]

Nobody likes getting ill and it is even worse when the fevers, coughs and sneezes force you and your employees to take days off work. It only takes one person to fall ill to bring down a large group of employees with a nasty bug.  What can you do to prevent this domino effect of illness […]

When it comes to creating a uniform policy, it’s easy to worry about complying with regulation and keeping staff happy in order to avoid any backlashes in morale, productivity or staff retention. For ease, here are our 6 simple steps to creating a staff uniform policy that complies with regulation and means you have nothing […]

The Health and Safety Executive notes that there were 74,000 reported cases of work-related hearing loss in 2004 to 2005. In 1997 to 1998, those figures were closer to half a million. Both education and regulations have likely decreased these numbers of preventable hearing loss, but it’s important that hearing is protected where possible. What […]

Workplace safety awareness is important to keep your staff safe whilst they are working. There are various known hazards for each industry. However, it is often the hazards that are easily forgotten which cause harm. Although not obvious, poisonous plants are a great threat to outdoor workers, especially in the summer. Here is everything you […]

If you are organising your own outdoor event, you know that its success can depend on the weather. It is even harder when you are planning it in spring. This unpredictable season can give us all a glimmer of hope that the frosty conditions are behind us. Then, minutes later, you could deal with heavy […]

Working outdoors can come with its fair share of risks, and one of the more dangerous hazards you and your team are facing is lightning. Although it’s a hazard which is usually overlooked because we don’t see it too regularly in Britain, it’s something which needs highlighting because of the risks it brings. In the […]

No matter how big or small, if you’re holding an event or show, then you’ll need to consider security. The health and safety of staff and visitors is your responsibility so you’ll have to take important steps to keep everyone protected, like installing security equipment.   Here are some of the measures to think about […]

We are in a respectful, multicultural and non-discriminatory age. Everyone is expected to be kinder to each other, and those that refuse to be, are taken to task by the law. This is no bad thing – we are moving towards a better world with a brighter future – but whenever the law has to […]

Exposure to excessive noise levels can be severely harmful to your workers’ health, both short and long term. They are apparent in every industry and construction is up there with the highest noise and longest exposure levels. It is important to know what level of decibels is harmful to you and your workers and the […]

It is simple. A construction site has many hazards, such is the nature of the job. By following the safety checklist below, you are putting your employees in a much safer position when they are on site. Conducting a written risk assessment will not be enough. It is necessary to conduct a mental one before […]

We may associate lone workers with some guy who works from home in his basement (maybe in his underpants) on some sort of tech job, but there are more people classed as “lone workers” than one would think. Nearly 6.8 million workers work alone. Anyone from security to some outdoor workers, even nurses and teachers […]

When workers work at heights there are always risks of falling. Construction has the highest fatalities of any industry, and deaths often resulted from falling from heights, which is why employers must adhere to all regulations for working at height. The Work at Height Regulations came into effect in 2005 to prevent workplace deaths and […]

There are over 15,000 potential signs that you can find in work places all over the UK. It is certainly an overwhelming number, but most signs offer mandatory protection. Safety clothing PPE signs indicate when, where, and which type of PPE has to be used or worn on a particular site – safety footwear, ear […]

Lightning is an occupational hazard that’s often overlooked, but it shouldn’t be because it can severely injure or even kill outdoor workers, particularly if they’re working at height. Here are some tips on how to protect your workers in spring and maintain lightning safety outdoors.  What are the Risks Associated with Working Outdoors in Lightning? […]

England might not be known for its snowfall, but when wind, rain, and cold are combined, ice is prevalent onsite. Snow and ice are not only hazardous because of the dangers of slips, trips, and falls, but also because the cold can cause numerous health problems when you haven’t prepared your workforce with appropriate PPE […]

It’s a hot day out on the construction site on a hot roof, an unusually warm British summer day. Your employee isn’t wearing his hard hat, or eye protection because they’re making his eyes and head sweat, but he is wearing some safety gloves. He’s no longer wearing a shirt, but he has his Hi […]

Working outdoors can come with its share of risks. Whilst many are tucked safely at home or in offices in extremes – rain, wind, snow, ice, heat – outdoor workers don’t have the luxury of protection from the elements. Many workplaces know there are dangers to their employees, but don’t know how to conduct an […]

Construction sites are natural targets for thieves and vandals. It’s your responsibility to make sure the workers on site are kept safe and that operations aren’t delayed by stolen goods or vandalism. There are a number of security risks that you need to think about and preventative measures you can implement to reduce the risk […]

Keeping workers and visitors safe on a construction site is the responsibility of whoever is in control of the site. Failing to implement effective safety measures can put anyone on or near the site at risk. Here are some important health and safety tips you should consider to maximise construction site safety. Keeping Staff Safe […]

When we think of keeping people safe in hospitals, everyone’s first thought is usually the patients. What about the staff? Hospital employee safety is imperative so that the hospital is working as efficiently as possible. Here’s everything you need to know to keep your team safe. We’ll be discussing: Page Contents Risk Assessment Manual Handling […]