Using Metalworking Fluids Safely 

The United Kingdom Lubricants Association (UKLA) provides guidance for companies with regard to the safe handling of metalworking fluids. The HSE explains that metalworking fluids (MWFs) are neat oils or water-based fluids used during the machining and shaping of metals to provide lubrication and cooling. Also referred to as suds, coolants, slurry or soap.

The UKLA are currently surveying users of metalworking fluids regarding any potential support users need to improve actually working with metalworking fluids and keep your individuals safe.

The (UKLA) and HSE have created a practical guide which has be put together by a panel of experts, find out more.

NO Falls Week – 12th to 13th May 2025 

The Ladder Association for the second year running is actively supporting No Falls Week. The week is organised by the No Falls Foundation, a UK-based charity dedicated to preventing falls from a height and supporting individuals affected by the consequences of a fall.

• No Falls Week’s is designed to raise awareness regarding the importance of safe working at height, prevent falls and ensuring that individuals working at height come down safely.
• It is estimated over 1 million businesses, and 10 million workers, carry out work involving some form of working at height every year.

Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023

Effective from 6 April 2025, the UK will implement the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023, introducing significant support for parents of babies requiring neonatal care. This legislation entitles eligible employed parents to up to 12 weeks of Neonatal Care Leave and Pay, in addition to existing parental leave rights.

Eligibility -To qualify, neonatal care must start before the end of 28 days beginning with the day after the child’s birth. This includes palliative or end of life care, or medical care received in a hospital or another place, such as the parents’ home.

What Employers Should Be Doing Now:

• Introduce a specific Neonatal Care Leave and Pay Policy or update existing family-friendly policies.
• To stay compliant and support your team, ensure your policies, contracts, and HR processes align with the new rules
• Prepare Managers to handle short-notice, urgent requests, including enhanced redundancy protection for eligible employees.

Let Milne Safety be your trusted partner in building a resilient and high-performing workforce.

The National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage increased rates

As you maybe aware the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage increased 1 April 2025, this rise effects over 3 million workers across the UK, including apprentices. The new rates apply to everyone and vary based on workers’ age, including whether they are an apprentice. It doesn’t matter if they are in a full time, part time or temporary role, the correct hourly rate should be paid;

If a worker is aged 21 or over, and not in their first year of an apprenticeship, they are legally entitled to at least the National Living Wage.

As of 1 April 2025, the new rate is £12.21 per hour instead of £11.44 up to the 31st March 2025

For information on the other categories 

HSE – Process Fire Precautions

The HSE is focused on the process fire precautions, outlining special fire precautions that are required in the workplace in relation to the work process that is being conducted. For example, the storage of articles, substances and materials relating to the work process. These, processes are in place to prevent or reduce the potential of a fire taking place. The HSE provide the following examples:

• storage of flammable liquids in process areas, workrooms, laboratories and similar working areas
• ventilation systems to dilute or remove flammable gas or vapour
• selecting equipment that will not be a source of ignition
• extraction systems to remove combustible materials such as wood dust

HSE – Preventing Work-Related Stress

As you are aware employers have a legal duty to protect employees regarding stress in the workplace. The HSE’s latest statics outline that roughly ½ of reported ill-health is related to stress, depression or anxiety. Which equates to 776,000 cases with each case taking an average of 21.1 days off work.

It is recommended that employers assess any risks of stress, and its potential impact on mental and physical ill-health. If your business has five and more employees, then it is a requirement to provide a written risk assessment. The HSE provides guidelines in conducting a risk assessment.

HSE – Managing Lift Trucks

It is known that lift trucks can be particularly dangerous within the workplace and the HSE explains that on average, lift trucks are involved in about a quarter of all workplace transport accidents. Therefore, the HSE provides an Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) and guidance called Rider-operated lift trucks.

This guidance outlines the minimum standard of basic training recommended for employees before they are permitted to operate a particular lift truck, this also applies even if the employee uses the truck occasionally.

Employment Rights Bill – Proposed Plans

In October 2024 the Labour Party outlined the new Employment Rights Bill to parliament. It is recommended that businesses should begin to prepare for the upcoming proposed changes, including workers’ rights and enhanced protections. Some of the changes involve:

• Day 1 protection from Unfair Dismissal
• Right to Disconnect protection
• 0-Hour Contract bans
• Day 1 rights for flexible working

We have put together a Risk Assessment of the proposed changes to give you a head start! This Risk Assessment details the proposed changes, what amendments are involved and the expected time to implement. Simplifying the changes, to help businesses stay compliant.