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.

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.

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.