The Health and Safety People

Builder worked on roof 'with no safety equipment'

2010-03-10T00:00:00+00:00

A builder put the health and safety of himself and others at risk when he worked on a roof without any safety equipment.

This was the finding of a prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) against Charles Molloy from Molloy Building Contractors.

A HSE inspector saw 64-year-old Mr Molloy and another man working on the Black Horse Hotel in St Helens last year.

The workers were replacing tiles but neither of them wore harnesses, used scaffolding or any other safety measures.

Inspector for the body Sandra Tomlinson said: "Mr Molloy apparently had little concern for his own safety, or that of those he employed, by working so precariously on a rooftop."

Previous warnings had been issued to both men but they were ignored.

After being found guilty of breaching the Work at Height Regulations 2005, Mr Molloy was fined £1,500 and must pay £1,000 in costs.

Business Link explains that many precautions must be taken by those working on roofs.

For example, duckboards must be used to cover fragile surfaces and risk assessments must be carried out.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Employment law advice: Younger workers need support

2010-03-10T00:00:00+00:00

Employers are being advised to help their younger workers when it comes to the development of their career prospects.

This is according to chairman of the Recruitment Society Steve Huxham, who explained that some employers are good at doing this, but others are not.

He added: "There is a lot more that can be done by employers to encourage their younger workers who are unqualified to take on extra courses and skills."

Government support for this would help larger employers in particular to develop their staff.

On March 8th, the Resolution Foundation stated that low earners have struggled the most during their recession because they are exposed and often overlooked.

This group have had their hours and pay cut, seen higher levels of inflation than their richer counterparts and experienced unemployment.

Mr Huxham claimed there is a danger that government help and extra training is coming when it is too late for certain struggling workers.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Archer

BREEAM rating awarded to college

2010-03-09T00:00:00+00:00

A college building has been awarded a BRE Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) rating of excellent for its eco friendliness.

South Devon College's University Centre building has not yet been finished, but showed its sustainable potential to judges of the BREEAM award.

The college's principal Stephen Criddle told the Herald Express: "We always encourage interest in environmental improvements and sustainability and the new university centre will be a fine example of how we meet our aspirations and responsibilities."

A total of 74 points were awarded to the construction, which means it comes top for environmental performance and sustainability.

Water recycling, solar heating and responsibly-sourced materials all contributed to the rating.

There will also be composting facilities and automatic cooling vents in the green building.

According to the publication, the college recently changed its cleaning products and devices to make them more eco-friendly.

South Devon College offers education to school leavers and runs courses up to university level.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Secure staff 'more likely to co-operate'

2010-03-09T00:00:00+00:00

UK employment litigation cases could be cut if employees speak to one another about their worries and bond over shared experiences.

Dr Clare Kelliher from Cranfield School of Management explained that malcontent among workers could be combated by colleagues building relationships with each other.

"Those who feel secure in their working environment and are not overloaded are more likely to co-operate with colleagues and to look out for each other," she claimed.

Managers should also act as role models and try to foster respect and dignity among their workers, Dr Kelliher added.

Her comments follow results of a survey from Simplyhealth, which found that UK companies may see staff leave because they feel their mental and physical health has not been properly managed by bosses.

The Bothered Britain survey found that half of workers thought their wellbeing was ignored at work and 45 per cent are going to look for a new job once the economy picks up.

For further information on any of out Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

Worker seriously injured by falling load

2010-03-08T00:00:00+00:00

Fines and costs of a combined total exceeding £30,000 must be paid by a lorry-trailer building company following health and safety failures.

David Jones was employed by S Cartwright and Sons from Trafford when he was asked to move a stack of metal strips.

The forks of a forklift truck were carrying the stack and lifting beam but the load fell and landed on Mr Jones.

His back was broken in four places and there were fractures to 12 ribs and a shoulder blade.

Mr Jones's heart was bruised, a lung was punctured and he suffered stomach injuries.

Inspector for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Richard Clarke said: "The company did not do enough to protect the safety of its employees. Mr Jones is still in constant pain and the incident could have killed him."

on Friday March 5th, magistrates at Manchester Crown Court fined the company £15,000 and it must pay £18,315 towards costs after breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Last year the HSE warned companied of the dangers of forklift trucks after a worker was killed when one toppled over onto him.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

Retrofitting needed 'to cut CO2'

2010-03-08T00:00:00+00:00

Carbon footprint management may be achieved in existing UK properties if retrofitting takes place, according to one expert.

Gordon Miller, founder of Whatgreenhome.com explained that it is vital to have initiatives to encourage people to make green changes to their homes.

He claims that green show homes are a good way to show Britons how to adapt their homes.

Other government schemes are vital if the country is to meet its CO2 initiative of an 80 per cent reduction by 2050.

"Clearly retrofitting and bringing the existing homes up to speed is absolutely critical if we are going to meet our own emissions targets and reduce CO2 emissions," Mr Miller continued.

His comments follow a publication by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, which revealed the Warm Homes, Greener Homes strategy.

It is hoped that there will be a 29 per cent cut of emissions from UK homes by 2020 and that property will undergo a "green transformation".

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Ireland firms 'discriminating against mothers'

2010-03-08T00:00:00+00:00

Employment law in Ireland may come into play after it was claimed that the recession has caused discrimination against pregnant women and new mothers in the workplace.

Chairperson of the Equality and Rights Alliance Joanna McMinn told the Irish Times that women on maternity leave were being used as "soft targets" to make cuts.

"It is against the law and despite 30 years of legislation against it, we are seeing evidence that this particular form of discrimination is getting worse because of the recession," Ms McMinn stated.

Some cases saw cuts to maternity pay, bullying on returning to work and being denied certain employment arrangements, it was reported.

Calls to Free Legal Advice Centres - which is affiliated with the Alliance - concerning maternity issued rose to 14.3 per cent from 1.3 per cent in less than one year.

UK employment law states that mothers who are employed have a statutory right to a minimum amount of maternity leave, according to the government.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

UK entrants among Europe's environment awards

2010-03-05T00:00:00+00:00

Sustainable procurement is just one of the considerations that may have been put in place among the finalists of the European Business Awards for the Environment.

The 11 finalists, who were chosen by the Royal Society for the encouragement of the Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, include entrants from the UK.

Stratton's Hotel in Norfolk has been put forward for its environmental management system.

Environmental manager for the hotel Vanessa Scott explained how pleased the staff were to be nominated.

"I think we rather naively believed 20 years ago that everyone in the industry would have an environmental management system," she revealed.

People are still tending to drag their feet when it comes to green concerns and Ms Scott stated she is trying to attract others in the sector.

The awards will help to raise awareness of the issue and it is hoped they will engage people to be eco friendly, she added.

Other entrants to the awards come from people looking to carry out road repairs in a more environmentally friendly way and to improve sustainability in gas supply and fishing industries.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Construction firm fined for lack of toilet facilities

2010-03-05T00:00:00+00:00

Construction bosses may look into installing better toilet and washing facilities for their workers after a firm was fined in Bridlington.

Bryan Brown & Son was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) yesterday (March 4th).

The building site run by the company had a toilet that was not plumbed in and there was no water supply.

An improvement notice had been served but when inspectors revisited the site they found the conditions were unchanged.

On a subsequent visit, some alterations had been made but there was still no running water in certain areas.

Mr Brown must now pay a £2,000 fine and costs of £1,215, due to the breach of two health and safety laws.

HSE inspector Geoff Clark said: "Bryan Ellis Brown subjected his employees to an unhygienic and potentially unsafe working environment. Having access to suitable welfare facilities is a basic human right."

It is "unacceptable" that these services were lacking, he added.

According to the government, an improvement notice specifies the law in breach, what must be done to and when the changes must be made by.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

Flexible employment 'could help MSD sufferers'

2010-03-05T00:00:00+00:00

Employment law that involves flexible working allowances could help workers suffering from musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

Back pain is a common form of this disorder and many employees find their work difficult when suffering from such pain.

Managing director of The Work Foundation Steve Bevan explained that flexibility could help people with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Conditions that cause fatigue or chronic pain can be hugely helped by small changes.

"People with rheumatoid arthritis can often suffer from painful 'flares' of joint inflammation which can be very painful and exhausting," Mr Bevan stated.

Allowing such workers to start their jobs later in the day, when these pains should have died down somewhat, may help, he added.

The comments follow revelations from the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance that leading policymakers and employers would like to see better support from sufferers of MSDs so that they find jobs easier.

It added that absence from sufferers could be the cause of 10.8 million working days in 2008-09.

Posted by Claire Archer

Brits 'must unite' in sustainable energy creation

2010-03-04T00:00:00+00:00

Sustainable procurement may see a boost after the Department for Energy and Climate Change revealed a new green strategy.

Head of utilities at Confused.com Gareth Kloet explained that the whole of the UK should be looking to support the objective of cutting carbon.

Mr Kloet said that the amount of money that can be saved by improving the efficiency of a home will vary.

Those whose properties are already reasonably efficient will not save as much as homeowners of highly inefficient houses.

"Ultimately, someone will always need to foot the bill for installing energy efficiency measures," he explained.

But a large range of different schemes should all be supported to achieve the ultimate aim of reducing waste and generating sustainable energy, Mr Kloet added.

The Warm Homes, Greener Homes strategy was revealed by the government earlier this week.

Just one of the promises made by the move is that every household will have loft and cavity wall insulation by 2015, providing it is practical to do this.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Archer

Majority of staff 'feel ignored by employers'

2010-03-04T00:00:00+00:00

Employment law following the recession may have to take into account various aspects of wellbeing, following recent results of a survey.

Simplyhealth revealed that one in two employees in the UK claim their employer ignored their physical and mental wellbeing as the economy saw a downturn.

And more than 45 per cent said consequently they would search for a new job once the market recovers.

Bothered Britain reported that more than half of the employers quizzed knew this was the case, as they admitted to ignoring staff's wellbeing worries.

According to the organisation, businesses may now find it difficult to keep staff once the market picks up.

Medical expert Dr Christian Jessen said: "Employees who feel valued and looked after are far more likely to stay in their jobs and to work harder, leading to a healthier, happier workplace."

Spokesperson for Simplyhealth Jamie Wilson said it was understandable that firms were stressed in recent times, but that they must now look at their employees' needs.

The government explains that one in five workers suffer from workplace stress and 500,000 of them have become ill as a result.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

UK's oldest inn signs up to health and safety scheme

2010-03-04T00:00:00+00:00

More businesses have signed up to the Health & Safety Executive's (HSE's) latest campaign to prevent workplace injury.

The oldest inn in Britain, Ye Old Trip to Jerusalem, today (March 4th) announced it was supporting the Shattered Lives campaign.

In existence since 1618, the Nottingham inn has 12 employees and hosts many thousands of visitors each year.

General manager of the establishment Rosie St John said the company is pleased to help project the HSE's message.

"Working on licensed premises means that employees are often exposed to wet floors from spilt drinks, so it is essential that all employees fully adhere to health and safety practices," she announced.

Some 315 employees in the city were injured in a workplace slip, trip of fall last year and it is hoped the new campaign will cut these numbers.

Yesterday Colchester Zoo revealed that it too would be supporting the scheme, following the revelation that 1,066 people in Essex had suffered workplace injuries in one year.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

Zoo supports workplace health and safety scheme

2010-03-03T00:00:00+00:00

Health and safety in the workplace is being highlighted by a campaign being backed by Colchester Zoo.

The Zoo has publicly pledged its support for the Shattered Lives campaign run by the Heath and Safety Executive.

Some 1,066 workers were said to have had accidents in 2008-09 due to health and safety breaches leading to slips, trips and falls.

Zoological director at the Colchester Zoo Anthony Tropeano explained that the workers there know all the correct health and safety procedures to be taken every day.

"We have to think of the potential risks all the time – everyone has a right to go home safely," he explained.

Each local authority is responsible for looking at how this is implemented in the region's zoos.

Health and safety enforcement officer at Colchester Borough Council Martin Nelson confirmed that Mr Tropeano's premises have a "strong health and safety culture" and is always improving.

The zoo has more than 250 species houses in 60 acres of land and has previously won the Sustainable Tourism Award.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find ou how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

Plan in advance for carbon footprint management

2010-03-03T00:00:00+00:00

Carbon footprint management should be considered before a construction project even begins.

This is the advice of writers at mother nature network, which offers people who want to build their own home advice on how to make the project greener.

Looking at the family's habits and how this affects carbon footprint is a good starting point for any construction.

Discovering whether lights are left on in used rooms and digital devices used can help allow homeowners to gain immediate insights into energy efficiency.

Carl Seville of Atlanta's Seville consulting explains that "occupant behaviour is the biggest predictor of energy use" and it is easy to examine.

Water consumption is an important environmental consideration as well as energy use.

Landscaping gardens to include rainwater collection is just one way to build a sustainable home, the article explains.

Many firms offer rainwater harvesting systems, which is often an intelligent way to make your property a greener place.

Simple considerations outdoors, such as strategically placing plants to maximise water use is a good start to becoming more environmentally friendly.

For further information on any of our Environmental servies or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Archer

TUC warns against wage freezes

2010-03-03T00:00:00+00:00

Employment law and trades union rights may prevent businesses from freezing wages in a bid to cut costs.

This was the warning from general secretary of the Trades Union Congress (Brendan Barber).

Mr Barber explained that some firms may be doing this as a money saving move, but that unions would not give them an "easy ride".

"While some firms will continue to struggle in 2010, unions are wise to companies using the recession as a ruse to boost profit margins through pay freezes and cuts," he continued.

But freezing wages may eventually prove harmful to the country's economy, as it can alter consumer spending power, Mr Barber cautioned.

USwitch.com revealed the results of a YouGov survey yesterday (March 2nd), which claimed that nine million UK workers thought any wage increase gained this year would be below the Consumer Price Index.

And 31 per cent of people thought they would be worse-off financially this year than last.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Homes may become greener thanks to initiative

2010-03-02T00:00:00+00:00

Construction workers in the sustainable procurement industry may be interested in a new government strategy that aims to make homes more environmentally friendly.

The department of energy and climate change announced 'pay as you save' plans that would enable Brits to see financial rewards as soon as they make green improvements.

Approximately one-quarter of the country's emissions are from energy used in homes, it was claimed.

By 2020 it is hoped these emissions will be cut by 29 per cent and the new incentive aims to help this.

Energy and climate secretary Ed Miliband said: "Making homes more energy efficient will help protect people from upward pressure on bills, tackle climate change and make us less reliant on imported energy."

Warm Homes, Green Homes is the strategy that aims to cut upfront costs and make it easier to live in a more sustainable manner.

Another government initiative that aimed to make homes more efficient was the boiler scrappage scheme.

Under the scheme, homeowners could apply for a voucher towards the cost of replacing an old and inefficient boiler with a new greener version.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

HSE to visit construction sites unannounced

2010-03-02T00:00:00+00:00

Health and safety on building sites is the focus of the latest initiative from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Inspectors from the body are due to visit sites and prevent accidents by identifying any dangerous practices.

Beginning yesterday (March 1st), the scheme will focus in particular on refurbishment and roofing work.

Such sites will be visited on an unannounced basis and inspectors will look at how well health and safety is being implemented.

Chief inspector of construction at the HSE Philip White said: "If we find poor practice that is putting the lives of workers and, in some cases the public, at risk we will take action - this could include closing sites and prosecuting those responsible."

There are too many injuries and deaths resulting from poor practice on sites - particularly small projects - and this should be stopped, he added.

A similar initiative by the body saw inspectors visit construction courses in Salford and warn students of the health and safety hazards involved in the industry.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Low earners 'most vulnerable' after downturn

2010-03-02T00:00:00+00:00

Employment law could be called upon after it was claimed that low earners are left more vulnerable following a recession than their richer counterparts.

Acting director at the Resolution Foundation Sophia Parker spoke at the Northern Money Conference 2010 on the issue.

She explained that employers are less likely to offer training and development courses to those on a low income than higher earners.

And the former group is the one that is often in greatest need of extra skills to earn more money and stand a better chance of employment.

"Low earners are in a much more vulnerable position now than they were even before the recession," Ms Parker claimed.

She added that low earners who lose their jobs find it difficult to gain employment.

The comments follow reports form uSwitch.com today (March 2nd) that 57 per cent of UK workers are not expecting their salaries to increase this year.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Archer

UK employees 'should fight back' against unpaid overtime

2010-03-01T00:00:00+00:00

UK employment law workers could see more custom from "overworked" employees, as a leading group urges them to fight back.

Director of the Institute of Employment Rights Carolyn Jones said such members of staff should be aware of their rights and ready to fight for them.

"The problem is that employers are wanting to squeeze more and more out of fewer and fewer workers and many are using the recession to claim they can't afford to pay overtime," she explained.

Her advice follows reports from the Trades Union Congress that almost 90,000 people were working unpaid overtime of more than ten hours each week.

This was up on the 14,000 found to be doing so the previous year.

According to the report, the total amount of unpaid weekly overtime was worth £27.4 billion.

But Ms Jones explained that many people are insecure and afraid they could lose their jobs so may not speak up.

Instead, people must fight against this and check their rights concerning maximum working hours and rest time before they give in to such demands, she added.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

EU recommends employment law changes

2010-02-26T00:00:00+00:00

UK employment law could see changes after the European Parliament passed draft legislation on maternity leave.

It was this week reported that the minimum period of maternity leave across the EU should be 20 weeks, as opposed to the current 14 weeks.

Chief executive of the Daycare Trust Alison Garnham said: "The UK currently stands out as having one of the longest and lowest paid maternity leave entitlements in Europe."

She claimed that the body welcomes the new EU plans, but that a 26-week allowance at 90 per cent pay would be more welcome.

Fathers should also be afforded four weeks leave at the same pay rate, Ms Garnham suggested.

It could prove to be financially beneficial in the long run, despite fears about its cost, she continued.

The European Parliament's report looked at the health and safety of pregnant workers.

Its rules would apply to self-employed and domestic workers.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

TfL's hydrogen fuel cell 'will cut carbon'

2010-02-26T00:00:00+00:00

Sustainable procurement on construction projects could see a boost after the UK's largest hydrogen fuel cell was implemented in a building.

Transport for London (TfL) installed the cell inside a building in Southwark and it is hoped this will provide clean energy for the organisation's offices.

But national co-ordinator for the Campaign against Climate Change Phil Thornhill does not believe all other buildings will follow suit.

"It is such a long term thing, because it would require massive technological investment and a whole new set-up for green infrastructure," he explained.

Using the cells in vehicles could be a better solution in the short term, Mr Thornhill added.

TfL's installation is hoped to save thousands of pounds in energy bills and cut carbon emissions each year.

Mr Thornhill raised concerns over how the hydrogen is being produced, as there is little point in using fossil fuels to create the energy, he claimed.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Restrictions suggested for non-efficient homes

2010-02-25T00:00:00+00:00

Carbon footprint management and other environmental issues may become increasingly important for homeowners.

This is because non-energy efficient properties may have mortgage restrictions placed on them if guidelines from the National Home Improvement Council (NHIC) are followed.

Director of the NHIC Andrew Leech suggested that people buying such properties should have to pledge to improve the homes before a mortgage is secured.

"You possibly won't get a mortgage unless you are planning to increase the efficiency of the house by [around] another 50 per cent," he said.

Mr Leech added that this needs to be done soon in order to meet the government's 2050 targets.

This includes taking steps such as insulating lofts, new boilers and upgrading windows and doors.

"It really is a big project," Mr Leech claimed.

Communities and Local Government's English Housing Survey found an improvement in energy efficiency in British homes.

It also found that social sector homes performed better in this category than private rented properties.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Roofer must pay almost £5k after safety risks

2010-02-25T00:00:00+00:00

A roofer who put himself at a health and safety risk has been fined thousands of pounds.

Dean Paul Shaw and two of his employees could have fallen more then seven metres as they were working on a roof.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted the 44-year-old because he did not have adequate safety equipment.

Mr Shaw pleaded guilty to breaching three regulations of the Work at Height 2005 Act.

The defendant was fined £4,950 and must pay more than £1,000 in costs.

HSE Inspector Mhairi Lockwood explained that the workers - who were fitting guttering - had all been walking across the roof without any protection to prevent falls whatsoever.

"There was also a sharp palisade fence below which could have caused horrific injuries if anyone had fallen on it," the inspector added.

Shattered Lives is a campaign being run by the HSE in an attempt to avoid accidents such as falls from heights.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Archer

Poor health and safety 'endangered builders' lives'

2010-02-24T00:00:00+00:00

Builders on a property development had their lives endangered because their employer did not take adequate health and safety precautions.

This was the conclusion of magistrates in Hull, who found HQ Leisure, Bedford, guilty of six charges - including a breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

HQ Leisure was fined £10,000 yesterday (February 23rd) and must pay an equal sum in costs.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) sent inspectors to the site in Hull, where a number of houses were being refurbished and turned into apartments.

But scaffolding was not properly fitted, ladders were unsuitable and workers were throwing roofing materials to ground where other contractors were situated.

HSE inspector Stephen Hargreaves said: "HQ Leisure Limited blatantly disregarded the importance of a safe working site, leaving their workers on Albion Street at risk of serious injury or even death."

Mr Hargreaves added that many simple measures would have prevented such risks.

The government advises anybody using scaffolding to ensure a qualified person properly erects the structure.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

US embassy eco-build announced

2010-02-24T00:00:00+00:00

Sustainable procurement is one of the considerations of the new US embassy building, which will be built in west London by a firm from Pennsylvania.

Referring to the US firm KieranTimberlake, a US Embassy spokesperson said: "Their concept holds the greatest potential for developing a truly iconic embassy and is on the leading edge of sustainable design."

Before construction work begins, Wandsworth Council must improve the design, which some say resembles a fortress.

The old embassy is situated in Mayfair and work on the new building should be completed by 2017.

Security and environmental concerns have all been taken into account when designing the construction.

The US Embassy explained that the new building will be energy efficient and timeless.

As part of a competition judged by leading industry names, KieranTimberlake saw off more than 30 rivals to be awarded the contract.

The winning firm is said to be an established and innovative environmentally responsible option.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

UK employment law 'confuses' firms

2010-02-23T00:00:00+00:00

UK employment law is said to be causing disparities varying from business to business.

Research from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) looked at more than 300 small business owners and their attitudes to the matter.

More than one-third of them claimed that UK employment law obligations were irrelevant to their firms.

Some 20 per cent admitted to worrying about such duties, despite understanding what they are.

Employment relations minister Lord Young said that many challenges are involved with running a small business but there is no reason why employment law should be one such element.

Director of policy and research at the Chartered Management Institute Petra Wilton stated: "What really matters is for business leaders to realise that managing employment law is a key responsibility of theirs."

Another variation was noted among different sexes. Women were found to place a greater emphasis on employment law changes than men, however, the former were also reported to worry more about their obligations.

BIS today (February 23rd) announced it was funding regional economic development in England with a £64.4 million package.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

HSE highlights construction health and safety

2010-02-23T00:00:00+00:00

Construction health and safety dangers are being highlighted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in Salford this week.

Over the past five years there have been 17 deaths in the industry in the Greater Manchester area.

But more than 600 workers are seriously injured every year in the region.

Students at Salford University who are studying the industry are therefore being warned of the dangers of their future profession.

HSE construction inspector in the north-west Bill Dixon said that the current fatality and injury statistics are unacceptable.

"We'll continue to offer guidance to those already in the industry but we also need to make sure those entering it stay safe," Mr Dixon added.

Lifting operations, working at a height and electricity dangers are among the topics being covered at the event, which is part of the Working Well Together initiative.

Established in 1999, the scheme celebrated its tenth anniversary last year with a white van tour around the country.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Archer

Fit note guidance issued to UK firms today

2010-02-22T00:00:00+00:00

Guidance on UK employment law changes concerning taking time off work for sickness will be launched today (February 22nd).

A fit note will now be needed rather than a sick note, which could save millions of pounds for the British economy.

Beginning on April 6th, the note will allow doctors to inform employers whether a patient is fit for work should their duties be amended.

Minister for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Lord McKenzie said: "We know work is good for people's health. With the right support in place, employers and doctors can work with employees to help them get back to work sooner."

It is expected to cut the costs that employers face when a member of staff takes a long period off sick.

Chief medical advisor at DWP Dr Bill Gunnyeon agreed and stated that the fit note shows how different sectors can collaborate towards a common goal.

The government advises that employees are entitled to statutory sick pay if they work for an employer under a contract of service, are ill for at least four consecutive days and earn at least £95 per week.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

Home automation 'could help carbon footprint management'

2010-02-22T00:00:00+00:00

Carbon footprint management could be attained if property includes smart home automation technology.

This is the view of master inventor for IBM and visiting professor at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne Andy Stanford-Clark.

Mr Stanford-Clark explains that such technology can promote energy efficiency and also saves money.

Having installed the scheme in his own property, the master inventor explains that his electricity bills have been cut by one-third since monitoring and automating his home.

Simple steps such as having devices to turn appliances off completely rather than leaving them on standby can save lots of energy and money when done on a long-term basis.

"Being aware of how much water is being used tends to encourage people to use less," Mr Stanford-Clark continues.

His comments follow market research from Reportlinker.com, which found that 48 per cent of home automation dealers expect their revenues to increase this year.

Environmental management, personal technology and home health systems are all predicted to use such schemes in the future.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Archer

'More incentives needed' for green projects

2010-02-19T00:00:00+00:00

Devices for carbon footprint management and other environmentally friendly installations are too expensive for many homeowners to afford.

This is the view of editor at Build It Magazine Duncan Hayes, who believes the government could do more to fund green incentives.

Mr Hayes explained that he "applauds" certain steps the government has already taken, such as the boiler scrappage scheme, but there needs to be more monetary incentives for homeowners.

"It is a great shame really that the products aren't cheaper or subsidised by the government or there's not the financial incentive," he stated.

The boiler scrappage scheme that Mr Hayes mentioned has already benefited tens of thousands of Britons.

However, earlier this week energy and climate change secretary Ed Miliband reminded the nation that much more money is still available to apply for.

In terms of new build houses there are improvements in green issues because regulations are tight. However, when it comes to retrofitting Mr Hayes said "it is a slow progress".

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

Workers in 2020 'will expect more'

2010-02-19T00:00:00+00:00

Employment litigation workers may be interested in a report from Friends Provident, which said that human resources (HR) strategies will soon be crucial to business.

Visions of Britain 2020 was compiled by the organisation alongside the Future Foundation.

It said that the "elite worker" - a highly skilled self-motivated employee - will need extra incentives to satisfy him or her.

"By 2020, the balance of power between employees and employers will have shifted in favour of elite workers," said human resources director at Friends Provident Gillian Fox.

Tailored and comprehensive training will be expected among this group so that their skills may develop.

Ms Fox stated that budgets will need to be allocated to provide for this extra level of support.

Some 83 per cent of people surveyed seemed to agree that HR will need to be more strategic in the future.

The government seems to be recognising a need for more information for employees and yesterday (February 18th) launched the Dads at Work campaign to make fathers more aware of their rights.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Worker's hand 'crushed in shredding machine'

2010-02-19T00:00:00+00:00

Health and safety failures meant that a worker's hand became crushed when it was trapped in a machine.

The employee worked for Bakkavor Foods and was helping colleagues to clear a food blockage in a washing line.

Part of the machine is used to shred cabbage and there is usually a guard in place to stop anybody reaching this part.

However, on this occasion the mechanism was disabled and - as the man reached towards the machine - it started up and crushed his hand.

Bakkavor Foods was fined £3,000 and must now pay costs of £2,000, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reported.

Inspector for the body Jo Anderson said: "The employee suffered the injury whilst working a night shift and this unfortunate incident sends out a clear message."

Ms Anderson added that companies must be just as vigilant with health and safety at night as they would during the day.

Bakkavor, which supplies fresh and prepared food, employs more than 19,000 globally.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Heat pumps 'offer builders a sustainable option'

2010-02-18T00:00:00+00:00

Builders looking to meet sustainable procurement and renewable legislation requirements may consider a different form of boiler.

According to Mitsubishi Electric, heat pumps may be chosen above biomass boilers as a viable alternative for those in the construction industry.

Commercial buildings in particular may be able to benefit from this option.

Divisional commercial director of the Tokyo-based company Donald Daw said this is an obvious choice.

"The time has come for heat pumps to step out of the shadows. We believe the burning of fuels to heat commercial buildings is no longer sustainable," he explained.

Energy footprints could also be improved on buildings using such systems, Mr Daw revealed.

Some people may not recognise that the heat pump can be an effective way of heating, even though they may use renewables when it comes to fuel, he added.

According to the Heat Pump Association, the pumps extract heat from their surroundings and therefore supply more energy than they consume.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

HSE highlights agricultural health and safety

2010-02-18T00:00:00+00:00

Agricultural health and safety was the focus of an event held yesterday (February 17th).

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) ran the event, which aimed to cut the amount of injuries and fatalities in the farming industry.

Some 300 farmers from Surrey, Kent and Sussex were expected to attend the Safety and Health Awareness Day, which was fully booked.

The HSE revealed how important health and safety is, with surprising statistics that one in five work-related deaths occurs in agriculture. This is despite the fact that approximately 1.5 per cent of the working population is employed in the industry.

HSE Principle Inspector for Kent Mike Walkers said this amounts to the death of one Briton each week.

It was hoped that the event would raise awareness of this plight, with "the ultimate aim of saving lives and preventing future accidents", Mr Walkers explained.

On the same day, the HSE organised an event to promote better health and safety among employees driving at work.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Government launches employment rights scheme

2010-02-18T00:00:00+00:00

UK employment law may be unclear to many fathers, who are unsure of their rights and would like to be able to work flexible hours.

The government has therefore launched the Dads at Work campaign, which aims to clarify the situation.

Launched today (February 18th), the government hopes the scheme will highlight paternity rights in the workplace.

The Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) carried out the survey, which discovered the worries that many fathers face.

Some 56 per cent of dads of children aged under 16 said that flexible working is important to them when looking for a new job.

Almost two thirds worried that not being home when their baby is born would be to the detriment of their relationship with their child.

Directgov advises that workers have a right to parental leave if they have been employed for one year or more by the same company, alongside other stipulations.

For further information on any of our Employment law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Archer

Construction firm fined £185,000

2010-02-17T00:00:00+00:00

A worker suffered life-threatening injuries after the construction company he worked for failed to adequately ensure his health and safety.

Carillion JM, based in Wolverhampton, must now pay a £185,000 fine after judges at Manchester Crown Court found the firm guilty of three health and safety breaches.

Michael Gresty, aged 56, was run over by a truck as he was working at the company in 2008.

The accident caused multiple serious injuries, which included fractures to his ribs, shoulder, foot and spine.

Mr Gresty also lost a kidney, dislocated his hip and has lost one inch in height.

Nobody had been guiding the truck that ran over the victim and the health and safety site agent had not carried out sufficient risk assessment checks, it was found.

As he sentenced the firm, judge Mushtaq Khokhak said: "Any employee who goes to work has the right to be safe in their working environment, and to expect that their employer will take all practical steps to ensure that this is the case."

The Carillion group notes that it has operations globally and employs approximately 50,000 people.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

Edinburgh students pledge CO2 reduction

2010-02-17T00:00:00+00:00

Carbon footprint management is just one of the commitments made by a group of students and staff in Scotland.

Edinburgh University's 10:10 campaign aims to cut the CO2 emissions of the establishment by ten per cent.

Green Week has kicked off the scheme and will see a number of events and talks occur throughout the campus to promote their plight.

Transition Edinburgh University organised the event and Joseph Farthing is a member of the group.

He told The Journal that many people have already attended and signed up for the week of eco events.

The mission follows a successful ten per cent reduction in CO2 emissions that the university already managed to achieve over the last five years.

But it seems this was not enough for the ambitious team, who want to achieve a further ten per cent cut by the end of this year.

"The amount of people who have attended the green week so far has been very encouraging, many people have signed up," Mr Farthing said.

Edinburgh University notes that it employs some 10,000 staff from around the world.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Corporate bullying 'occurs among colleagues'

2010-02-17T00:00:00+00:00

Employment law cases in the UK may be more likely to result from colleagues bullying their fellow workers than bosses doing so.

This was the finding of a study of 3,000 workers who were surveyed by OnePoll.com for LawOptions.co.uk.

It was noted that the majority of corporate bullying cases were the result of workers taunting each other.

Most of these offensive comments were related to looks, clothing and ability to do the job and one in four bullied workers agreed that they were victimised in this way.

Employment litigation does not necessarily follow such cases, as one in five respondents said bullying had caused them to quit their job.

Some 48 per cent of workers admitted they were tempted to follow suit but did not because the recession meant they may not find work elsewhere.

According to Bully OnLine, people who suffer from the problem are often criticised and face destructive comments, but this can take many forms.

For further information on any of our Employment law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Archer

SGC issues corporate manslaughter guidance

2010-02-16T00:00:00+00:00

Employment litigation that came into force this week (February 15th) states that anyone found guilty of corporate manslaughter will face a potential minimum fine of £500,000.

The Sentencing Guidelines Council (SGC) has implemented the changes and notes that fines "may be millions of pounds and should seldom be below £500,000".

In 2008 corporate manslaughter became a specific criminal offence. According to the Health and Safety Executive this means that companies and organisations can be found guilty of the crime if serious management failures result in a fatality.

The SGC states that such punitive fines as those introduced this week are hoped to "deter and to reflect public concern at avoidable loss of life".

If businesses could have foreseen an accident or if a widespread breach of rules is noted, the fines can be increased.

Any prosecutions going before a court from now onwards will have to take note of these sentencing guidelines.

For further information on any of our Employment services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

PAYS scheme 'encourages eco-friendly habits'

2010-02-16T00:00:00+00:00

Construction workers may find that homeowners increasingly want sustainable procurement and other energy efficient measures in their property.

The government's pay as you save (PAYS) scheme is also encouraging homeowners to use environmentally-friendly methods with financial incentives.

Founder of whatgreenhome.com Gordon Miller says such methods are an "incredibly positive step", particularly during the current economic climate.

People may not be able to afford more expensive ways of making a home greener, but PAYS answers this problem.

Mr Miller explained that the scheme will also go ahead regardless of which government is in power.

"It is not a party political decision – it is already signed up to regardless if they get into power," he advised.

"That is an incredibly positive step going forward for next year as well," Mr Miller continued.

Piloted by the government in 500 homes, the PAYS scheme offers homeowners a way of financing energy-efficient projects by relying on the money that will be saved in the long-term.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Dust 'poses health risk' to construction workers

2010-02-16T00:00:00+00:00

Construction workers' health and safety could be at risk if they regularly cut stone, masonry or concrete.

The warning comes from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which explains the dangers of silica dust.

Many people do not understand how harmful the substance can be, but more than 500 construction workers die each year from the dust, which is the second biggest cause of lung cancer.

Tomorrow (February 17th) there will be an event organised by the HSE in Liverpool to raise awareness of this plight.

Health and safety awareness officer at HSE Moira Caddick said: "The lives of hundreds of workers and their families are devastated every year by lung diseases caused as a result of breathing in silica dust."

Construction firms should provide suitable masks for employees and avoid creating dust from such sources whenever possible, she added.

According to Cancer Research, lung cancer is the most common cause of death from the disease in the UK among both men and women.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Archer

Boiler scrappage scheme 'still has vouchers'

2010-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

Homes may be able to obtain carbon footprint management and other environmental initiatives if they adopt the boiler scrappage scheme.

The government is reminding people of the benefits to the scheme, which offers homeowners a voucher towards purchasing a more energy-efficient appliance.

It today stated that some £28 million is still available due to the 70,000 vouchers that have yet to be claimed.

Homeowner Clive Wuest from St Neots in Cambridgeshire is responsible for one of the 54,758 vouchers that have already been used in England.

"It definitely feels like the new boiler is working less for more heat and we're looking forward to hopefully getting a significantly reduced gas bill," he explained.

The Energy Saving Trust (EST) runs the scheme on behalf of the government and said that it receives thousands of enquiries each day on the topic.

Fraser Winterbottom from the EST said that organisation is very pleased with how the scheme is running.

"There's no better time to get rid of that old inefficient boiler," he explained.

According to the EST, vouchers can knock £400 off the cost of a new A-rated boiler.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

Firms fined £115,000 after worker's death

2010-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

A worker was killed after a steel prop fell, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reported on Friday (February 12th).

John F Hunt Demolition and Bayoak Demo were fined some £115,000 because of health and safety failures that led to Rafal Przestrzelski's death.

Aged 29, the victim was employed by the latter demolition sub-contractor and was told to remove certain steel props, which supported a slab of concrete.

But as Mr Przestrzelski was doing so, the concrete fell and one of the overloaded props hit him.

HSE inspector Giles Meredith called the accident a "basic error of judgement by others".

"The price of making an ill-informed decision about the structure was enormous," he explained.

Detailed surveys and better consultation could mean such fatal errors are avoided, Mr Meredith added.

Last year the HSE warned demolition firms to take note of health and safety precautions after a worker broke his spine in a fall.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Archer

BA employee loses litigation fight

2010-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

Employment litigation has concluded that a British Airways (BA) employee has lost her appeal against the company.

Nadia Eweida wore a crucifix pendant to work in September 2006 but was asked to conceal the necklace as its jewellery policy states items must be worn underneath uniforms.

She refused to remove the pendant and argued that it was an expression of her faith, but Ms Eweida was then sent home from work.

In an employment tribunal, the High Court ruled that the BA ban of wearing jewellery should withstand and as such Ms Eweida had not been discriminated against.

Human rights group Liberty had been supporting the employees rights and said it was "disappointed" with the judgement.

It is thought that the employment law case will now be taken to the Supreme Court.

Liberty argues that many public and political figures join the group in its support of Ms Eweida.

Tony Blair and Ken Livingstone are cited as being among such supporters.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Worker's trapped arm 'was broken many times'

2010-02-12T00:00:00+00:00

A worker's arm was broken in multiple places after a health and safety breach meant that it became trapped in a machine.

Michael May was working for Moy Park in Anwick last April when the accident occurred.

He leaned towards a conveyor that was in motion and his arm became trapped.

According to Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector Judith McNulty: "Faulty machinery can be easily fixed, but broken bones and torn tendons are not so quickly repaired."

Moy Park was issued with a £35,000 fine and must also pay £3,115 in costs, magistrates at the court in Grantham decided.

There should have been safety systems in place so as to avoid such an accident occurring, Ms McNulty explained.

Mr May's staff are based in Northern Ireland and employs more than 7,000 people.

The company notes that it in one of the leading poultry companies in Europe and is the largest food processing firm in Northern Ireland.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Hill

Over 1,000 English schools awarded Green Flag

2010-02-12T00:00:00+00:00

Carbon footprint management and other environmental concerns have been taken into account by many schools in England.

This is according to the government, which has issued a Green Flag Award to more than 1,000 schools in the country, it was revealed today (February 12th).

Keep Britain Tidy has been running the eco-schools programme, which aims to get as many institutions as possible to reach this highest accolade.

More than 60 per cent of English schools are now making efforts to become more energy efficient and less wasteful.

In order to take parting the scheme, pupils have to audit their school in terms of how environmentally-friendly it is.

Bronze awards are the first level of honour given to those involved, with the Green Flag being the highest accolade.

Keep Britain Tidy was formed more than 50 years ago as the National Federation of Women's Institutes looked at a way to tackle the country's litter problem.

The organisation created the Tidy Man logo in the 1960s as an emblem of its mission.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

Illegal gas fitters 'could pose health and safety problems'

2010-02-12T00:00:00+00:00

Homeowners should beware of illegal gas fitters after a bogus practitioner was prosecuted on Wednesday (February 10th) for carrying out work on a property in Grimsby, the Health and Safety Executive has advised.

James O'Neill, an illegal gas fitter from Manchester, fitted a central heating gas boiler system at a Grimsby home in early 2008, when he was not Gas Safe registered.

And when the boiler was checked by gas regulators, the system was found to be breaching health and safety rules by having a number of defects.

The Health and Safety executive prosecuted Mr O'Neill for two breaches of Regulation 3(3) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 at Grimsby Magistrates Court.

Following the prosecution, he was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £2,000 in costs.

The Health and Safety Executive advises that homeowners should always use a Gas Safe Registered engineer in order to ensure that any work that is carried out at the property is done so safely and competently.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Posted by Claire Archer

Changes to employment insurance records announced

2010-02-11T00:00:00+00:00

Employment litigation relating to insurance records could see changes following government proposals that were announced by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) yesterday (February 10th).

Many employees who have contracted industrial diseases have had to miss out on compensation because of absent insurance records from their employer.

DWP minister Lord McKenzie said a better tracing service should be established so that policies may be tracked via a database.

"We will continue to work with insurance bodies, trade unions and campaign groups to ensure all those affected get the help they need," he continued.

In normal circumstances whereby a member of staff has been injured or been made ill through work due to negligence from employers, they could make a claim from of civil damages.

But when certain diseases do not appear until years after employment has ceased it is often the case that old insurance records have been lost of destroyed.

According to Business Link, the NHS can claim the costs of hospital treatment when injury compensation is paid, so employers are advised to have such insurance.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

Ofgem launches green energy scheme

2010-02-11T00:00:00+00:00

Homes striving for carbon footprint management may find a new scheme from Ofgem will help in understanding green labels.

A Green Energy Certified label will be awarded to any electricity tariff that shows it can reduce carbon emissions.

Suppliers doing so must meet stringent rules and demonstrate their worth to experts.

Claire Gibson, senior press officer for the Energy Retail Association, explained: "The new scheme will reassure customers about what is available to them in terms of green tariffs and will hopefully increase their confidence with their buying choices."

It allows providers the chance to innovate and show how they can compete with other firms, she explained.

Ms Gibson added that Britons may increasingly choose green tariffs if the scheme is a success.

The Carbon Trust notes that the government aims to increase the amount of the UK's electricity consumption derived from renewable sources to above 30 per cent.

It is also hoped that by 2020 some 15 per cent of all energy will come from such sources.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Firm fined after worker 'scarred for life'

2010-02-10T00:00:00+00:00

A worker has been permanently scarred after health and safety failures led to his legs catching on fire as he carried out his job.

The worker was employed at Rust Proofing Company in Manchester when the accident occurred in 2008.

He had been pouring a can of paint thinner onto a fire but it ignited and exploded, setting the employee alight.

Following prosecution from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Manchester firm has been fined £1,003 and must pay £2,997 after breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

HSE inspector Philip Strickland said: "It's disturbing that this company needed something like this to happen before taking action to improve safety."

The worker is still undergoing treatment and was hospitalised for three months after the accident.

Many other workers had used the same procedure as the victim and the "unsafe fires" were used by the firm in a time-cutting measure, Mr Strickland claimed.

Guidance on flammable chemicals in available from the HSE, which states that the work is highly hazardous.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Sustainable procurement 'could help climate'

2010-02-10T00:00:00+00:00

Sustainable procurement could be one way for Scotland to tackle climate change.

This is according to climate change minister Stewart Stevenson, who spoke at the first meeting of a new group in the country, which aims to look at carbon management.

Alongside councillor Alison Hay, who is the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) spokesperson for regeneration and sustainable development, Mr Stevenson will chair the organisation.

He explained that there is an urgent need to look at climate change and that Scotland must look at the role it plays in doing so.

The partnership between the public and private sectors is hoped to go some way towards tackling this challenge.

Mr Stevenson said: "This new group will give leadership and direction to the whole of the public sector. We need to ensure that successes are shared and effort not duplicated as we move to a low carbon economy."

COSLA is said to represent the Scottish local government and is a membership organisation.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

'Anger' over Kraft job cuts

2010-02-10T00:00:00+00:00

Employment law may be an issue after Unite announced its anger at Kraft's decision to close the Cadbury Somerdale plant.

The trade union's officer for the food and drinks sector Jennie Formby expressed her disappointment at the news.

She explained that some workers were led to believe their employment would be maintained by Kraft.

This was despite Unite's warning that the decision seemed to not be possible given the closure's timeline.

Ms Formby explained: "This sends the worst possible message to the 6,000 other Cadbury workers in the UK and Ireland."

She added that the union is angry because it was told it would be the first to know when a decision had been taken.

It is thought that the workers' employment at the plant will cease by the end of this year.

Business secretary Lord Mandelson has joined the debate and said that the chief executive of Kraft could have been more honest with him about the plans.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Hill

Crane company found guilty of health and safety breach

2010-02-09T00:00:00+00:00

Health and safety failures at a crane manufacturing company meant that an operator narrowly avoided an injury.

Rossendale Group was fined £10,000 at Sheffield Magistrates Court following the incident, which occurred in 2006.

At the time there was a crane supplied by the organisation to a paper manufacturer in Sheffield to lift reels of paper, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed.

But, as the crane was lifting a combined weight of 1.8 tonnes at a height of 1.2 metres its anchorage point failed.

The load fell moments after an operator had been in its path.

HSE inspector Alison Crank said: "It was extremely fortunate that no one was injured or even killed in this incident."

"Companies that supply lifting equipment must be aware that they will be held to account if the equipment is not well designed or manufactured," she continued.

In this case, Rossendale Group pleaded guilty to breaching Section 6(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

Recently the HSE launched a campaign to encourage the safe operation of cranes on construction sites.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Hill

TNT denies employment tribunal figures

2010-02-09T00:00:00+00:00

UK employment law could be used at a tribunal after workers at a delivery firm have decided to take action against their employer.

This is according to the Coventry Telegraph, which explained that almost 200 workers at TNT parcel delivery firm are "angry" with the company over pay cuts.

Bosses have denied the reports, explaining that 15 members of its staff have sought legal representation but not the 180 that were reported to have done so.

A spokesperson for the organisation said: "TNT Express Services UK can confirm it is defending tribunal claims regarding the withdrawal of bonus payments for employees at its Atherstone and Kingsbury hubs in 2009."

The total number of claimants is out of the 440 staff who work at the two hubs, the spokesperson continued.

It is thought that an employment tribunal will hear the claim later this year.

TNT delivers documents, parcels and freight via air and road networks across countries in Europe, Asia and the US.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

Gig cancelled after health and safety concerns over building

2010-02-08T00:00:00+00:00

A British band were forced to cancel one of their shows this weekend after health and safety officers said the building was not safe for the performance.

Enter Shikari were due to perform at the Empress Ballroom in Blackpool on Saturday (January 6th) as part of their UK tour.

But structural problems in the building were spotted as the group were carrying out sound checks.

Health and safety officers told the alternative-metal band they would be unable to perform and the show is expected to be rescheduled.

The band's statement read: "Gutted... It looked and sounded incredible in there, and indeed it would have gone off big-time, were the show to go ahead as planned."

However, Enter Shikari are due to complete their tour with performances at Middlesborough, London, Bournemouth and Milton Keynes.

A forum on the group's website is dedicated to the cancellation on Saturday night. One fan wrote that he too was very disappointed that the band was unable to play.

Many of the fans explained that Enter Shikari had spent time speaking to those who had gone to watch the gig and had apologised personally for the mishap.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

Solar panels 'offer financial and environmental rewards'

2010-02-08T00:00:00+00:00

Homeowners who are striving for carbon footprint management and want to be greener could consider installing solar panels.

Not only would the panels be beneficial for the environment but they could also offer financial rewards.

This was the case for pensioners Patrick and Frances Colquhoun, who installed solar panels on their home last July, the Sunday Times reported.

Since then the couple have paid less money in their energy bills and may be reaping the rewards of government plans to pay households who generate electricity.

Mr Colquhoun, aged 70, said: "I am renowned for being frugal."

"The £2,500 grant definitely helped, and the promise of further payments made a big difference," he added.

Furthermore, he hopes that when they sell their home the addition of solar panels will add to its value.

The clean energy cash-back scheme aims to offer money to homes, businesses and other buildings that generate their own energy.

It is hoped that this will encourage more people to look towards renewable energy options.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Construction worker 'seriously injured skull'

2010-02-05T00:00:00+00:00

A construction worker seriously injured his skull, back and legs after his machine toppled over while he was doing his job.

The man worked for Shepherd Construction of York and was driving a cherry picker over a concealed manhole cover in Nottingham when the health and safety failure occurred.

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the cover gave way as the machine drove over it.

This led to the cherry picker toppling over and crashing to the ground - which had been "bustling" with pedestrians and vehicles moments earlier.

HSE inspector Martin Giles said: "It could so easily have led to people being killed and has left a worker with serious injuries."

If measures had been in place whereby the company had a record of all manholes and service covers, the accident could have been prevented.

Mr Giles went on to add that operators of such machinery must be warned of these dangers.

Shepherd Construction was fined £20,000 and pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Cherry pickers are also known as elevated work platforms.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Red tape 'is being cut' to meet eco-plans

2010-02-05T00:00:00+00:00

Construction jobs in sustainable procurement and green housing could be created if officials continue to cut the red tape.

This is the view of a spokesperson for the Department of Communities and Local Government, who explained that it is committed to reducing carbon emissions.

"The government is already taking action in terms of retrofitting existing buildings, improving future design standards and cutting red tape in the planning system for the installation of green energy solutions," he explained.

His comments were in response to research from The Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment.

If construction workers use regionally-produced and simple materials that can be assembled on site there could be more local jobs and a greater impact on carbon reduction, it was noted.

According to the spokesperson, new homes are 40 per cent more energy efficient than they were in 2002, but there is still more to be done.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

Worker's hand 'was trapped between rollers'

2010-02-04T00:00:00+00:00

Health and safety was lacking at a factory in Teesside, which led to a worker's hand becoming trapped between rollers.

The worker was 22 years old as he was carrying out his job at the Baked Snacks Company in Middlesbrough, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reported.

As he was cleaning the cooling conveyor in the production area his hand became trapped between rollers.

HSE inspector Bruno Porter said that had there been guarding procedures in place on the machine the incident may have been prevented.

Cleaning work was regularly carried out by staff as the conveyor belts were still in motion when the accident occurred.

"This was a straightforward case of the company failing to address the risks arising from normal operation of this food factory," Mr Porter explained.

Added to this was the fact that English was not the worker's first language. If this is the case in the future, employers must make sure their staff understand the need for safety in the workplace.

English language courses should be offered by employees to foreign-language staff, the HSE recommends.

The victim's hand was said to be badly injured and the firm was fined £2,400.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

Terry's site 'given green redevelopment approval'

2010-02-04T00:00:00+00:00

A large-scale environmentally-friendly redevelopment of a factory in York has been given the go-ahead by council officials.

Terry's factory in the city, formerly used for the production of the famous chocolate brand, has been subject to various plans by developer Grantside.

Initial plans had already been rejected, but the developer is now able to go ahead and build hotels, shops, homes and food-outlets on the sire.

Some 2,500 jobs could be created in the process of the green project.

Of 16 councillors, 14 voted in favour of the plans, one against and one abstained. But the report that gave the green-light explained the environmental benefits "significantly outweigh" the negatives.

Sustainable procurement may be one of the considerations that construction workers must face in the process of revitalising the site.

The factory was closed by Kraft Foods in 2005 after more than 100 years of chocolate making there.

According to the Yorkshire Post, this resulted in more than 300 job losses. The redevelopment is thought to be worth hundreds of millions of pounds.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Archer

Plans for green energy incentive are 'very exciting'

2010-02-03T00:00:00+00:00

Construction workers could be called upon to install renewable energy devices as more homes are expected to strive for carbon footprint management.

This may occur after the government's plans to introduce tariffs for low-carbon electricity generation are brought into force.

It was announced this week that April 1st will see the introduction of payments for those households that produce their own electricity.

Generating technologies such as wind turbines and solar panels would be rewarded.

Ed Miliband, energy and climate change secretary, revealed the plans and said there would be further incentives from April 2011.

Managing director of British Eco Energy Andrew Moore said: "This announcement takes renewables from being a niche market for very green people or very wealthy people, to something that most people can do. It's very exciting. It's a major shift."

Businesses could also profit from the move because they could see a return on their investment for the first time, he continued.

Mr Milliband explained that power generated from solar panels could earn households some £900.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

Harriet Harman backs down over employment law changes

2010-02-03T00:00:00+00:00

Deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman has reacted to the Pope's attack on the Equality Bill by claiming that religious jobs will not be included in non-discrimination laws.

On Monday (February 1st), the Pope declared that the bill "violates natural law" by encouraging the employment of homosexuals and transgender people and urged Roman Catholics to fight against its implementation.

Ms Harman fought to introduce an amendment which would make clear the difference between religious and lay positions within the church and how religious institutions would need to adhere to laws in regard to the latter.

Although this clarifying amendment was rejected, it is thought that the minister is not looking to continue battling for its implementation in order to avoid a dispute with the Pope.

"That amendment was rejected, so the law remains as it was," Ms Harman conceded.

UK employment law also hit the headlines this week after former Countryfile presenter Miriam O'Reilly announced she would sue the BBC for age and sex discrimination following her dismissal in the show's recent revamp.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Archer

HSE warns workers to ensure loads are safe

2010-02-03T00:00:00+00:00

Builders and other workers who are required to load vehicles should be aware of the health and safety implications and learn how to safely perform the task.

This is the view of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which revealed that more than 1,200 people are injured each year due to unsafe vehicle loads.

It has produced guidance on how this number can be cut and the implications on workers if the advice is ignored.

Loads may shift in transit if they are unsecured and the employee who then has to organise these goods is at risk of falling.

Perhaps a more serious consequence is that vehicles can sometimes roll over when a load shift occurs.

Monetary damage may also be a problem if goods fall from transportation and the UK economy could be harmed by such losses.

The main steps to take to ensure none of these accidents occur are to restrain and contain the load.

Ensure there is no chance of any movement and firmly tie goods down to the load bed, the HSE explains.

Last month the organisation announced it would be carrying out spot checks on vehicles to ensure loads are safe.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Landlord 'compromised tenants' health and safety'

2010-02-02T00:00:00+00:00

The health and safety of residents was compromised after a landlord failed to properly fit certain appliances.

Gas appliances at Graham Barnes's property in Didcot should have been correctly fitted and maintained, the Health and Safety Executive reported.

But Mr Barnes, 49 years old, did not arrange annual safety checks on the items and their flues and neglected to maintain them.

This resulted in an £8,000 fine and the landlord had to pay £1,957 in costs.

HSE inspector Dozie Azubike said: "This is clear case of a landlord ignoring his responsibilities and thereby putting people at risk."

Carbon monoxide was found to have leaked into the kitchen and caused a dangerous environment for tenants.

Mr Barnes breached Regulations 36(3)(a) and 36(2) of the Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998, which all landlords must follow.

Part of this states that landlords must check the safety of gas appliances and flues within 12 months of their installation and at least annually thereafter.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Archer

BREEAM standard project 'underway in Leeds'

2010-02-02T00:00:00+00:00

An office re-development that aims to meet the BRE Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) standards of very good has been embarked on in Leeds.

Wilton Developments has taken on the £10 million project, which will be the first Grade A + office scheme in the city centre this year.

There will be give storeys of office space that is energy efficient and eco-friendly.

Managing director of the firm Jason Stowe said the development aims to be of "the very highest standard".

He added: "10 South Parade will provide 36,000sq ft of high quality, air-conditioned accommodation with Grade A + specification which has already attracted a number of interested potential tenants."

Representative of WSB Property Consultants, which will act as an agent for the offices, Robin Beagley said the development is a significant one.

Businesses in Leeds are starting to see signs of improvement and the latest development will apply to a range of firms, he noted.

WSB staff include chartered surveyors and the company serves customers in Yorkshire and the North.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

BBC 'to be sued' over discrimination

2010-02-02T00:00:00+00:00

UK employment law could come into play after a former BBC presenter announced she would sue the corporation for age and sex discrimination.

Miriam O'Reilly previously presented Countryfile, but was dismissed last year as the show was revamped.

Aged 52, the ex-presenter said she wants to hear what a judge has to say about the issue.

Co-presenters of the show Juliet Morris, Charlotte Smith and Michaela Strachan were dropped from Countryfile at the same time as O'Reilly.

Matt Baker, 32 years old and 36-year-old Julia Bradbury replaced the women, who are all in their 40s or 50s.

"I was angry at the time because I thought it was unjust and unfair … It seems that it is okay to put women of our age on screen during the day but not on prime time," O'Reilly told MediaGuardian.co.uk.

The BBC has recently come in for criticism after judge of Strictly Come Dancing Arlene Phillips - who is in her 60s - was replaced by Alesha Dixon, who is less than half her age.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

Builder 'fell to his death' after health and safety flaw

2010-02-01T00:00:00+00:00

A builder fell to his death after health and safety regulations were not followed, it has been claimed.

Ian Smith worked for house-building company DC Kennedy Homes, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reported.

But as Mr Smith, 64 years old, was working on a construction site to build six new houses he was killed.

He fell five metres from an unstable ladder, which was missing its rubber feet and had not been properly secured, the HSE found.

DC Kennedy Homes of Bolton was fined £7,500 on Friday (January 29th) and pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

HSE principal inspector for Greater Manchester Polly Tomlonson said the tragedy could have been easily prevented by the firm.

"Mr Smith should never have been expected to use a ladder in the first place. If the work had been planned properly, the stairs would have been fitted before work was carried out on the first and second floors of the house," she explained.

The HSE has produced a list of top tips for ladder safety, which include securing the item to the surface they touch.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

Green jobs in labour market predicted

2010-02-01T00:00:00+00:00

Construction workers could be drafted in to create green energy projects after it was announced that every trick in the book must be implemented to target climate change.

Eco issues such as carbon footprint management and renewable energy usage must be looked at, chief executive of the Carbon Capture and Storage Association Jeff Chapman explained.

"The economic recovery packages in Europe and to some extent in the States, has been geared towards carbon capture and storage, which also includes green jobs for the labour market," he added.

Currently people are "hooked on fossil fuels", but this must stop if climate change is to be tackled, he continued.

His comments follow reports from the New Economic Forum that global economic growth may not be maintained if global temperatures rise.

"Unprecedented" reductions in the growing economy's carbon intensity must occur, it was found.

Carbon targets are expensive and could pressure the government, but this is an international issue, Mr Chapman noted.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Sick days 'could cost UK economy £30m'

2010-02-01T00:00:00+00:00

Some 350,000 employees were expected to call in sick to work today (February 1st), in the nation's worst day for doing so, costing the economy £30 million.

Research by Employment Law Advisory Services claimed that the first Monday in February is likely to see the largest amount of people pulling "sickies".

Spokesperson for the organisation Peter Moony explained that it is getting easier for workers to lie to their bosses because they no longer have to phone to announce their illness.

This means that there is no way of telling whether the person is actually ill and more than one quarter of firms in the UK are thought to trust employees without speaking to them directly.

Mr Moony noted that "the system will be open to more abuse than ever".

"That is the last thing we need as we are slowly crawling out of the deepest recession for generations," Mr Moony commented.

UK employment law means that employees will be allowed statutory sick pay if they are too ill to work, Citizens Advice notes.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Archer

Eco-friendly Olympic structure 'completed'

2010-01-29T00:00:00+00:00

One of the most environmentally-friendly constructions in the UK's Olympic Park has come one step closer to completion, the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) revealed yesterday (January 28th).

Sustainable procurement was a key factor in the Velodrome's construction and its steel structure has now been completed.

"The Velodrome is one of the most sustainable venues in the Olympic Park and the lightweight cable-net roof structure will only weigh 30kg per square metre, roughly half that of any other covered Velodrome, helping create a highly-efficient building," the ODA revealed.

Designers of the building wanted it to reflect the efficiency of a bicycle and allow for natural ventilation through rooflights.

Site waste management plans are also in place so that rainwater may be collected and reused in the building.

Chief executive of the ODA David Higgins said that that venue's architecture is "striking" and has now become a focal point in the north of the Olympic Park.

Earlier this week plans got underway for parkland within the village. Some 4,000 trees will be planted and the space will become the UK's largest new urban park in more than one century.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Workers' health and safety day 'to be marked'

2010-01-29T00:00:00+00:00

Construction workers who have lost their lives due to health and safety failures will be remembered by a special day.

Work and pensions secretary Yvette Cooper yesterday (January 28th) announced the launch of Workers' Memorial Day.

It aims to improve health and safety and pay tribute to all workers who have lost their lives or been injured while doing their jobs.

April 28th is now officially sanctioned as Workers' Memorial Day in the UK, although it has been informally marked for a number of years and many other countries already host the day.

General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Brendan Barber said: "Workers’ Memorial Day has been an important date in the trade-union calendar for many years and we look forward to working with ministers to increase its profile."

The TUC says the event is held worldwide and serves as a rallying cry "to remember the dead, but fight like hell for the living".

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

Paternity leave employment law changes 'madness'

2010-01-29T00:00:00+00:00

UK employment law changes to allow fathers paternity leave have been criticised by some business leaders.

By April 2011, parents will be allowed to share leave from work so that fathers as well as mothers can spend time with their newborns.

Some six months could be claimed by fathers so that mothers could return to work earlier than if they had sole maternity leave, the government's plans explained.

But director general of the British Chambers of Commerce David Frost said: "In order for businesses to get on with creating jobs, the constant threat of tinkering to employment law – from both parties – must stop."

Director of communications for the Food and Drink Federation Julian Hunt agreed and said this employment regulation is "madness".

It may be particularly damaging to businesses given the state of the UK economy, he explained.

Current paternity legislation means that fathers are allowed statutory time off work if meet certain conditions, such as being employed by the company for a set length of time, DirectGov explains.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Archer

Asbestos 'put workers' health and safety at risk'

2010-01-28T00:00:00+00:00

Constructors working on a Bristol refurbishment were put at risk by UK health and safety breaches on asbestos rules.

This was the finding of a hearing at Bristol Magistrates Court, after Frank Bruce and Company pleaded guilty to breaching regulations.

Large amounts of asbestos were present on the site of various industrial units being refurbished.

But landlords and property developers who were running the refit failed to employ licensed contractors to remove the harmful material.

HSE inspector Sue Adsett said: "Seven construction workers were exposed to asbestos, which we know can cause fatal diseases."

A lack of experience in managing health and safety in building projects such as this one must be addressed by those running the developments, she explained.

Magistrates fined the firm £18,000 and ordered them to pay £6,679 costs.

Asbestos was used to insulate many buildings in the last century before people were aware of its risks.

Illnesses that can result from contact with the material include pleural thickening and asbestosis.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Green investment 'could create jobs'

2010-01-28T00:00:00+00:00

Builders could see more jobs in sustainable procurement and other green issues after it was announced that there is an increasing demand for eco-products.

Editor of BusinessGreen.com James Murray said there is a "virtuous circle" occurring at the moment.

Consumers and businesses are demanding environmentally-friendly products and this creates more jobs.

As employees in this industry learn more about the green products, they will also demand them more and this has a knock-on effect, Mr Murrey explained.

However, he added that much more can be done to promote sustainability and green business on a national level.

"More incentives is a big one, rolling out wider carbon pricing to boost energy bills and encouraging people to be more efficient with their energy is another big one," Mr Murrey advised.

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills announced on January 26th that it has launched the first closing of the £125 million Hermes Private Equity environmental innovation fund.

This will see money invested in low carbon and green technology, which should promote growth among businesses.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

Neville is planning 'carbon neutral' home

2010-01-27T00:00:00+00:00

Carbon footprint management is thought to be a consideration of footballer Gary Neville in his plans to build an eco-home.

An artist has revealed impressions of what the £8 million project could look like and some have likened it to the home of the Teletubbies.

Neville and his wife want to build a carbon neutral home, which will reduce the family's carbon footprint.

However, the property will also be connected to the National Grid so that any leftover energy can be put to use.

Solar panels, a ground source heat pump and a wind turbine are among the green features of the proposals put forward to Bolton Council by the footballer.

Green belt land would be used for the development, but planning laws may allow for this because of the outstanding designs.

It would be situated on the moors in Lancashire near to Neville's existing home.

Aged 34, the environmentalist has played more than 550 times for Manchester United and has appeared in the England squad.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Construction industry 'is expecting job losses'

2010-01-27T00:00:00+00:00

UK employment law may be required after it was announced that many staff are expected to lose their jobs in the construction industry.

According to a report from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), the first quarter of this year is expected to see large cuts to staffing levels.

Some 44 per cent of firms thought their workload would decline in this period and 33 per cent said they would probably carry out job cuts.

But associate editor of Construction News Nick Whitten said the situation is far more positive.

"The world of house building seems a lot more optimistic. Some of the bigger construction firms are a bit worried about what will come up, but there is generally a slightly more upbeat mood than there was six months ago," he claimed.

Statistically there is more construction work occurring but it may be that people are doing this for lower prices.

Job losses are ending in some areas and certain sectors are starting to recruit, Mr Whitten explained.

The FMB noted that 38 per cent of companies had cut their staff levels in the final quarter of last year.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

Construction site 'breached health and safety'

2010-01-27T00:00:00+00:00

Health and safety breaches by a building firm have led to fines of £3,600, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has reported.

Workers on a house construction were not adequately supervised by employers Scotcare Preservation in Edinburgh, Selkirk Sheriff Court heard.

The foreman of the site had not been properly trained in health and safety and there was a lack of adequate precautions to prevent falls from height, it was noted.

"It is fortunate there was no accident as a result of the company's failings. This company had failed to heed previous health and safety advice which is extremely disappointing," said HSE inspector Gordon McLelland.

Mr McLelland had served two improvement notices previously to Scotcare but the firm failed to comply with the warnings.

He added that it is well known that there are great health and safety risks to those working on construction sites, particularly the risk of falls from height, which are the largest cause of serious injuries and fatal accidents in the industry.

Last week HSE reported that an aircraft painter fell from the wing of a plane because of inadequate provisions.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Archer

Contractor cleared of health and safety breach

2010-01-26T00:00:00+00:00

Contractors have been cleared of health and safety breaches following the death of a nine-year-old boy in Poole.

Health and safety investigations were undergone after Jason Keet was crushed by gates at a luxury apartment site.

The boy became trapped at Orchard Flats as the electric gates opened while he was reaching through them.

Bournemouth Crown Court cleared the installers of the gate, Electric Gate Services, and the contractor of the flats, Pearlview Estates, of a Health and Safety at Work Act charge.

The boy was visiting his grandparents at the time of the tragic accident. The manufacturer of the device Faulkner Gates is due to be sentenced in March.

According to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, it exists to protect people in their jobs and for protecting others who may be put at risk connected with work activities.

It also amended building regulations law and other connected purposes.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Refurbishment 'is more eco-friendly' than demolishing

2010-01-26T00:00:00+00:00

Environmental considerations such as carbon footprint management may be better dealt with if a property were refurbished rather than rebuilt, it has been claimed.

This is according to English Heritage, which has sent out a plea to local councils to protect old school buildings rather than automatically demolishing them.

Following a survey of 1,723 adults, the organisation found that two third of respondents believed refurbishment and extension to be more environmentally friendly than demolishing schools.

Chair of English Heritage Baroness Andrews said this approach "uses what we have got, minimises requirements for new materials and cuts down demolition waste".

It is also believed by 47 per cent of participants that historic buildings provide more inspirational settings to learn in than new buildings.

English Heritage states that it reports to Parliament through the secretary of state for culture, media and sport and is the government's statutory advisor on the historic environment.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

Employment market 'still fragile'

2010-01-26T00:00:00+00:00

Those involved in UK employment law may be interested in advice that the job market is still fragile and people are still making cuts.

Director of external relations at the Recruitment and Employment Confederation Tom Hadley expressed this view following a study on employment figures.

"Everyone's trying to maintain a balance between making cuts and delivery of services. Yes there will be a squeeze, but we want to emphasise that the first port of call shouldn't necessarily be things like recruitment freezes," Mr Hadley advised.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development revealed yesterday (January 25th) that 1.31 million people were made redundant during the recession.

Some 6.2 million people made fresh claims for Jobseeker's Allowance between April 2008 and November 2009, it was noted.

But Mr Hadley said that many employers are demanding more staff and that there is a more positive picture.

He warned that nothing should be taken for granted given the state of employment during the recession.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call is on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Archer

Hydroelectric projects 'must be managed'

2010-01-25T00:00:00+00:00

Carbon footprint management and sustainable procurement can result from renewable energy

However, a spokesperson has advised that alongside these benefits there may be certain ecological impacts when it comes to hydroelectric power.

Commenting on behalf of the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), the spokesperson said that construction firms that put hydroelectric devices in place must monitor the sites.

"Large and small scale hydro projects can be a good investment - they can offset your carbon footprint and contribute to sustainable development. They can, however, have a significant impact on the water environment if not managed properly," she explained.

A loss of middle range flows over prolonged periods is one of the main impacts of such installations.

SEPA can review licences from companies and can measure changes in ecology relating to the hydroelectric projects, the spokesperson continued.

Her comments follow revelations from the Scottish government that the country has double the potential capacity for hydro projects than it initially estimated in 2008.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Health and safety worries of digital switchover

2010-01-25T00:00:00+00:00

Health and safety concerns could affect those in the construction industry, particularly trades people who work on house roofs, it has been claimed.

The digital switchover will see many people installing satellite dishes and aerials on their buildings.

But certain rogue traders could be operating and putting the health and safety of themselves and others at risk, thisisthewestcountry.co.uk reported yesterday (January 24th).

Alongside the health and safety executive, South Somerset District Council has launched a campaign to protect the health and safety of those involved in the move.

"Installers should use the correct equipment, including harnesses, ropes and fall protection devices as well as making sure that their ladders are secured to stop falls," said environmental health spokesman councillor Ric Pallister.

He added that certain aerial installers have died and suffered serious injuries in the past.

According to DigitalUK, the switchover date of each household depends on the transmitter they watch and people may be able to access more channels if they change to a different transmitter.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can help you please call us on 08456 122 144.

ISO 14001 awarded to Cosalt

2010-01-25T00:00:00+00:00

ISO 14001 status has been awarded to Cosalt, it has been revealed.

The firm provides protective clothing and equipment to people working in the construction industry and other fields such as the emergency services.

An assessment of the company was carried out and followed up by two audits over the space of one year by BSI Group, who accredited the firm.

ISO 14001 was awarded following the recognition that Cosalt Workwear considers aspects such as energy consumption when manufacturing the attire.

QA manager for the organisation Dawn Scott said: "We are very pleased to have achieved ISO 14001. As a responsible organisation we are continually striving to minimise the impact of our operations on the environment and create a healthier working environment for our employees".

Employment law and other legislative requirements relating to the company will now follow this status and use it as a benchmark to keep on top of such issues, Ms Scott added.

Cosalt is the UK's leading safety and workwear company in the industrial, offshore oil and gas and marine markets, it notes.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Archer

Firms 'must plan' for employment law changes

2010-01-22T00:00:00+00:00

Businesses should plan for employment law changes should be planned, it has been claimed.

Phil Allen, Mace & Jones employment law partner said the Equality Bill may be "the biggest change in discrimination law in a generation".

Many fundamental changes to employment law could be made by the bill, and employers must start planning now because they may come into force this year.

Some nine existing laws will be replaced by the introduction, such as harassment definitions.

Employers may be liable if a member of staff has been harassed by a third party - such as a customer or pupil.

This will be the case if the employer knew about the harassment on at least two occasions, Mr Allen explained.

Compulsory retirement changes may also change this year in a separate move by the government.

From April 6th this year, all registered pension scheme rules must state that the minimum pension age is 55 years old. Current laws state this age to be 50.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Construction workers 'to retrain' for new builds

2010-01-22T00:00:00+00:00

Construction workers and health and safety professionals are being retrained in a South Yorkshire initiative.

Bramall Construction is working on the government's Decent Homes programme and improving social housing across the region.

However, once the project ends, the employers do not want to be faced with a lack of work.

Instead, health and safety and construction workers are being trained as part of the Dedicated to Your Future programme at Doncaster College.

Staff should then be able to cope with new build projects, as well as the improvements that they are currently working on.

"Yes, times are tough for the construction industry, but Bramall has been great in showing us the way forward and giving us the skills and knowledge to help the business move into different areas," said site manager Warren Scaife.

The construction firm says it is the region's leader in delivering community regeneration.

It is part of the Keepmoat Group and works in areas such as Yorkshire and the East Midlands.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

Construction 'must address green issues'

2010-01-22T00:00:00+00:00

Carbon footprint management and other environmental concerns of a whole construction should be taken into account.

This is the view of the Royal Academy of Engineering, which said that carbon emissions in the UK can only be cut if the building industry urgently addresses such issues.

Some 45 per cent of the country's carbon emissions come from buildings and 80 per cent of the property that will be used in 2050 is already built, the academy explained.

A large amount of these buildings - constructed in the 20th century - depend totally on fossil fuel energy.

But the next generation of buildings must not follow this trend.

Author of the report Doug King said: "The sheer pace of change in the regulation of building energy performance has already created problems for the construction industry and the proposed acceleration of this process."

The association claims that it includes the most eminent engineers in the country to inspire the next generation.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Archer

Fall was an 'accident waiting to happen'

2010-01-21T00:00:00+00:00

A health and safety breach led to the injury of an aircraft painter who fell at work.

This was the finding of a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) enquiry after Robert Lupton's fall when working for Air Livery.

Mr Lupton, 44-years-old, was wrapping the wing of a plane in plastic to protect it from paint stripper.

He stepped onto the wing flap and fell five metres to the hangar floor. Nothing was in place on the wing flap to prevent such falls, HSE noted.

The accident occurred on October 10th 2007 and Mr Lupton has not worked since then.

Air Livery was fined £2,400 for breaching Regulation 6 (3) of the Work at Heights Regulation 2005 and must pay £9,162 in costs.

HSE inspector Christine Haberfield said: "Everything may have appeared OK on paper but the practice on the ground encouraged painters to work ahead of themselves and without adequate protection. In this respect this was an accident waiting to happen - which it did, of course, to Mr Lupton."

Air Livery notes that it offers services including interior repair, refurbishment and aircraft repainting.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Unite supports pension protest

2010-01-21T00:00:00+00:00

UK employment law could play a part in a protest against pension losses.

Workers at Visteon have been rallied by the Unite union and are protesting at the Welsh assembly today (January 21st).

The car parts firm entered administration last year. In 2000 the company took over Swansea's Ford plant and workers claim "copper-bottomed promises" were made to them about pensions at that time.

Many now fear that certain benefits and money from their pension funds could be affected by the liquidation of Visteon UK.

Almost 1,000 people lost their jobs in the administration and some of them had been paying money toward Ford pension funds for many years.

Only part of their pensions may be covered by the government's pension protection fund, Unite noted.

Regional secretary Andy Richards said: "Unite will firmly support ex-Visteon workers fighting for pensions justice."

The car manufacturer claims to help customers build "the best vehicles in the world".

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

Sustainability plans for timber use announced

2010-01-21T00:00:00+00:00

Sustainable procurement developers may be interested in government plans on the use of timber.

Environment secretary Hilary Benn said that any timber bought by the government must be legal and sustainable and added social criteria to the regulations.

The new rules will come into force on April 1 2010 and hope to support developing nations, Mr Benn explained.

He added: "The new social criteria demonstrate the UK’s commitment to use government purchasing power to help push illegal and unsustainable timber out of the market."

Some 20 per cent of all timber bought in the country is done so by central government. If local authorities and other government bodies are taken into account, this figure rises to 40 per cent.

According to the World Wildlife Fund Australia, it is vitally important that forests around the world are managed for their biodiversity and not just used as a source for timber.

Forestry and large-scale clearfelling can seriously damage the environment.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Written by Claire Archer

BREEAM rated project awarded to Kier Western

2010-01-20T00:00:00+00:00

A green construction which hopes to rate as excellent on BRE Environmental Assessment Method has been awarded to Kier Western.

The firm gained the £6 million contract to build the Energy Skills Centre at Bridgwater College in Somerset, it was yesterday announced (January 19th).

Science and engineering will be the focus of the project, since students will be trained about such areas inside the buildings.

A rooftop teaching space will be constructed in the centre so that students can carry out green experiments and assess how energy efficient the building itself is.

"The building itself will be a great demonstration of green technologies," said Martyn Osborne, operations director of the company.

Solar heating, a quiet revolution wind turbine and photovoltaic cells on the roof will be incorporated into the project, Mr Osborne explained.

Rainwater harvesting, a storm water attenuation tank and ventilation chimneys will also feature in the centre.

According to the college, it has been awarded a Queen's Anniversary Prize and nine national Beacon Awards.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Archer

HSE issues guidance to recycling industry

2010-01-20T00:00:00+00:00

Health and safety regulations in the recycling industry may be reviewed, following guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

It was reported that there are nine times more fatal accidents in this industry than the national average.

This could be a result of a lack of awareness about legal duties among local authorities, it was claimed yesterday (January 19th).

"Waste and recycling is a sector which is experiencing considerable growth as we all strive to do more to respond to environmental challenges," said HSE chair Judith Hackitt.

Recent improvements have been made, but accidents in the industry are still high, she added.

Events will now be run by the HSE across the country so that local authorities can seek guidance and advice.

Waste services departments will be inspected by the organisation later in the year and health and safety standards will be examined.

According to the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, it is essential that the UK takes action on waste.

Some 100 million tonnes of waste is generated in the country each year, the majority of which ends up in landfill.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

BBC: Politicians should stop 'tinkering with employment law'

2010-01-20T00:00:00+00:00

"Tinkering" with employment law must stop, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has advised.

It stated today (January 20th) that the Labour and Conservative parties' threat of changes to employment law should end.

Director of the organisation Dr Adam Marshall said: "The next government needs to create the right regulatory environment that will encourage companies to take on more staff and drive economic recovery."

Many of the country's businesses offer grandparents and parents flexible working conditions already, regardless of regulation.

They must now be able to get on and create jobs for parents without a danger of employment law changes, Dr Marshall explained.

Increases are planned for National Insurance contributions, which would rise in 2011.

But Dr Marshall said such plans should be scrapped in favour of "a three year moratorium" looking at introducing new employment regulation.

The government explains that National Insurance contributions build up a contributor's entitlement to certain social security benefits.

Earnings and employment type are considered when calculating how much should be contributed.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please contact us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

RSPB: 'Talk to us early, developers'

2010-01-19T00:00:00+00:00

Sustainable procurement is something that many developers are striving towards.

However, one wind farm development is causing concern among campaigners.

On January 14th the Scottish government approved plans for a major wind development at Muaitheabhal on South Lewis.

The wind farm will house 33 turbines, which are each taller than the London Eye at 145 metres high.

Policy media officer at the RSPB John Clare said that, while the organisation supports green energy provision, it worries that birds could be damaged by this development.

If wind farms do cause such damage, the RSPB will oppose them "vociferously", Mr Clare explained.

Talks between the organisation and planners should happen at the early stages so the projects can be strategically organised, he added.

Mr Clare said: "Talk to us early, developers, let's see if we can get around any issues."

The government announced this month that 76 onshore wind energy planning applications had been approved in the previous two years by local authorities in the UK.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Archer

Many employees are driving 'without proper insurance'

2010-01-19T00:00:00+00:00

The health and safety of some employees may be put at risk when they drive without adequate insurance, it has been claimed.

Gocompare.com stated that 72 per cent of staff in the UK have used their own car for work purposes.

However, 35 per cent did not have business cover as part of their policy, it was found.

For 38 per cent of workers, employers had not spoken to their staff about business cover and the need for it when using their own car for company purposes.

"Employers have a legal responsibility to ensure that, irrespective of its owner, vehicles used on company business are safe to use - this includes being fully insured for business usage," said business development director Lee Griffin.

He urged workers to check whether they need the extra cover adding to their policy, which may be inexpensive to do.

According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, driving at work is the most dangerous activity people do.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Health and safety consultant: Businesses are breaking fire rules

2010-01-18T00:00:00+00:00

Health and safety could be at risk in certain businesses after it was claimed that forty percent of companies are not conducting the correct fire risk assessments.

Aviva Risk Management Solutions (ARMS) said many firms are not complying with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Health and safety consultant for ARMS Andrew Couch said: "Often businesses tell us that they either don't have the time, don't know where to begin when it comes to fire safety, or they need additional support and advice from someone who knows what they are talking about."

Laws are broken and hazards are not properly managed as a result, he said.

Fire and Rescue Services have carried out prosecutions for those that ignore the legislation and some 34,500 informal notifications have been issued, it was noted.

For small businesses that are struggling, ARMS has launched a service where risk assessors can carry out the task of looking at risks instead.

Business Link explains that people die each year as a result of work fires, which costs billions of pounds.

Posted by James Hill

Government aims to 'break glass ceiling'

2010-01-18T00:00:00+00:00

Those involved in UK employment law may be interested in government plans to break the glass ceiling.

Business minister Pat McFadden confirmed that social mobility will become a government priority.

A report from the Panel on Fair Access to the Professions looked at the areas of work of Britons from various social backgrounds.

It found that reforms were needed by the government to make sure that people from all economic and social professions can succeed in their chosen profession.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "We can't be a truly aspirational society if some people are still denied the chance to get on and although we have raised the glass ceiling we have yet to break it."

Mr Brown said that this will now become a priority so that Britons can reach their potential.

He commissioned the report to look at the issue of social mobility and how future jobs can be secured in the UK.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

BAE fined £80,000 after health and safety breach

2010-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

A fine of £80,000 has been issued to BAE after a health and safety breach led to the death of a worker, it has been reported.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted BAE after Lynda Wilkins was killed at the site in Chorley.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that the accident happened in March 2005.

The defence company pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety regulations after an explosion killed the 47-year-old.

Ms Wilkins had been working with the sensitive primary explosive lead styphnate before the accident occurred.

But the HSE said it could not say what the exact cause of the explosion was because she was not working with anybody else at the time.

It was noted that there was not enough supervision and monitoring provided by the company, which led to unsafe working procedures.

Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act etc 1974 was said to have been breached by BAE Systems.

The organisation notes that some 105,000 people are employed by the company worldwide.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Green energy award claimed by Isle of Eigg

2010-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Winners of a green competition had to create projects that considered carbon footprint management and sustainable procurement.

The Isle of Eigg was awarded a share of £1 million to create its renewable energy system.

Organised by the National Endowment for Science and Technology and the Arts, the Big Green Challenge competition wanted to see how communities could tackle climate change.

Eigg managed to prove that it could reduce emissions of C02 by 32 per cent with its plans to become a self-sufficient island.

Wind turbines and solar panels were installed alongside hydro-electric plans.

Residents, who bought the island in 1997, constructed the scheme in 2008.

"The outward purpose of this project is tackling climate change, but it’s also ensuring we continue to be a strong, vibrant healthy community to live in," said project manager Tasha Lancaster.

Some 95 people make up the entire population of the island, which is found close to the Scottish island of Skye.

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Posted by Liam Lawrence

Health and safety probe into building site blaze

2010-01-14T00:00:00+00:00

A fire which occurred on a site owned by a construction firm will be looked into by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), it has been revealed.

The building site blaze meant that over 150 residents had to be evacuated from their homes last week (January 6th).

It occurred at Camberwell Station Road in South London, at the site owned by Greenacre Homes.

Reports reveal that it is the third fire in the area in less than 12 months.

In November 2009 a building site caught fire on Sumner Road and in July there was a blaze at Lakanal House, in which six people died.

The HSE has said a full investigation will take place into the latest fire.

A haulage company in Leicester was fined £5,000 after reports of a massive fire risk were noted by the HSE, it revealed on Monday (January 11th).

A.M Widdowson & Son Ltd of Mill Lane Industrial Estate pleaded guilty to the breaches.

For further information on any of our Heath and Safety services or to find out how we can help you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

Employment agencies 'found breaching laws'

2010-01-14T00:00:00+00:00

Employment law breaches have been spotted at various childcare and teaching employment agencies in the UK, it has been revealed.

Inspectors from the Employment Agency Standards (EAS) inspectorate examined 50 agencies in areas such as London and Birmingham.

Out of these agencies, 38 of them received warnings because they did not comply with the law, it was reported.

"Agencies in the teaching and childcare sectors should be especially vigilant that they are meeting all of their responsibilities. It is important that children are not put at risk," said employment relations minister Lord Young.

There will be further investigations into those affected. It was also noted that eleven agencies did not carry out the correct identity and qualification checks on those who would be working.

Some 140 law breaches were noted by the EAS. The organisation claims that it exists to raise standards in employment agencies, in particular for vulnerable workers.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Carbon labelling 'popular among shoppers'

2010-01-14T00:00:00+00:00

Businesses may consider sustainable procurement and other environmental matters, after research shows more people may be concerned by green issues.

Carbon labelling is something that 72 per cent of customers would like to see on food products, research found.

Newcastle Business School carried out a study, which surveyed more than 400 supermarket shoppers.

Some 83 per cent said they were unaware what their own carbon footprint was, but almost three quarters claimed that they would think green if carbon labelling was clearer.

Executive director of Food Ethics Council Tom MacMillan said: "Previous research shows people would rather all the products on the shelves were sustainable."

He explained that many people have good intentions, but that there is often a lack of time, which means that there is too much information for consumers to digest.

Yesterday (January 13th), the government announced that a supermarket ombudsman would be established.

This would promote smart labelling and contribute to the government's aim to get more food sold in the UK coming from British, sustainable sources.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Archer

Green considerations to be made in housing pledge

2010-01-13T00:00:00+00:00

Carbon footprint management and other environmental concerns in the construction industry may be helped by the government's affordable housing pledge.

According to the head of communications at the Home Builders Federation (HBF) Steve Turner, the whole construction industry is "moving towards a very challenging zero carbon agenda by 2016".

Publicly funded affordable housing should therefore have government specifications on how it is to be built, he added.

On January 11th housing minister John Healey said that the total investment that will have been given to new council and housing association homes since June now stands at £2.4 billion.

A total of £122.6 million will be shared by 73 councils across the whole of England and individual councils will also contribute funds.

The building industry remains a challenging environment, Mr Turner said. "The market is looking more positive than it was this time last year," he added.

Demand for housing still exists but the constraints on supply must be addressed before this it met, Mr Turner stated.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

Home builders 'should improve health and safety'

2010-01-13T00:00:00+00:00

Construction workers in West Yorkshire must make health and safety improvements, it has been claimed.

The National House Building Council (NHBC) has said that a period when the industry is emerging from recession can also see an increase in work-related accidents, the Huddersfield Examiner reported.

"We are keen to celebrate and reward the vast amount of good health and safety practice that is being implemented across the industry," manager of health and safety at NHBC Simon Mantle said.

The organisation is hosting awards to recognise those workers who already implement good practice.

Winning such an award can boost employee morale, Mr Mantle claimed.

Being the start of a new year, now is the ideal time to take a fresh look at health and safety, he continued.

Friday January 15th is the deadline for entering the awards, which are exclusively for house builders, the NHBC states.

Industry-wide recognition awaits those who win the accolade, it was claimed.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Archer

Plumbers 'accused of stealing client list'

2010-01-13T00:00:00+00:00

Well-known plumbing firm Service Corps may be affected by employment law after claims that it stole the client database of another company.

Service Corps, established by Steve Cosser, has announced that it has now ceased trading.

Pimlico Plumbers is owned by Charlie Mullins, who has featured on the Channel 4 show The Secret Millionaire.

Mr Mullins alleged that confidential client information had been taken by some of his employees, who went on to work for Service Corps.

But Mr Cosser denies this claim. The Telegraph reported that his company have a poster in the window stating: "Due to Pimlico Plumbers, Charlie Mullins, we are no longer trading".

High-profile clients of both firms include the film director Michael Winner and Keira Knightley.

The sign placed in the window of Service Corps adds: "We will be, however, back in court, September 2010 where we are confident we will win the court case and justice can be done!", the Telegraph reported.

According to the Sunday Times, Mr Mullins said that his company's reputation was outstanding.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Agriculture poses 'great health and safety risks'

2010-01-12T00:00:00+00:00

It has been revealed that agriculture is one of the most dangerous areas to work in when it comes to health and safety issues.

Make the Promise is a campaign launched by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which aims to make these dangers better known.

Some 589 people were seriously injured in farm accidents between 2008-09. There were also 38 deaths in Britain due to farming-related incidents.

Agriculture champion and board member for HSE Judith Donovan said that 15,000 farmers have already pledged to come home safe under the new scheme.

"Losing concentration or taking seemingly harmless shortcuts is when horrific accidents can happen," she said.

Vice chairman of the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs James Chapman stated that the organisation's members have all made the promise.

"I know only too well what can happen when safety isn't put first," he explained. Mr Chapman lost his left arm in a farming accident and now wants to warn others of the importance of safety.

A six-year-old Welsh boy was killed in an agricultural accident two days before Christmas in December 2009. The HSE is investigating his death.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

Cambridge project 'aims for BREEAM excellence'

2010-01-12T00:00:00+00:00

Sustainable procurement and other environmental concerns will be involved with the expansion of Cambridge University, which will be the UK's "greenest development".

According to the Ecologist, construction of the project may "change the face of sustainable building in the UK".

North West Cambridge is the name given to the development, which will begin in 2012.

The site of the large-scale build is a patch of greenbelt on the city's outskirts. It will soon house 3,000 new homes, university buildings and community facilities.

Some £400 million aims to be raised for the project, which costs a total of £1, through bonds.

"On completion, it will be the greenest development of its size anywhere in the UK," the publication claimed.

Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council have adopted an action plan, which aims to be certified as excellent under the BRE Environmental Assessment Method.

In its mission statement, the university says it wishes to bring the highest international levels of excellence when contributing to society.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Archer

RI to be taken to employment tribunal

2010-01-12T00:00:00+00:00

UK employment law is due to be questioned by a neuroscientist who said she was unfairly made redundant.

Baroness Greenfield, 59-years-old, was employed by the Royal Institution (RI) as the organisation's only female employee in its history.

Employed as director of the body, Baroness Greenfield has claimed she was ousted, due partly to her sex and is expected to file for sexual discrimination.

RI stated that there is no longer a requirement for her position, which does not exist anymore, but Baroness Greenfield disagreed.

She will be disputing the legitimacy of the situation at an employment tribunal and "cannot see how this decision can be in the best interests of the organisation or its members", it was noted.

The Telegraph reported that the Baroness was entitled to work for six more years, according to a contract she signed in 1998.

On its website, the RI states that it has been carrying out research for more then 200 years.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

UK firms 'developing green projects'

2010-01-11T00:00:00+00:00

Carbon footprint management and other strategies aiming to cut harmful emissions will happen thanks to many UK construction firms.

The Thames Gateway Institute for Sustainability confirmed on January 8th that a large amount of projects are in development.

Deputy director of Green Alliance Thomas Lingard said that, not only do new builds have to be looked at, but work should be done retrospectively on existing buildings.

As a result of many companies who are trying to make property more environmentally friendly, more Britons will be sitting up and taking note of the issue.

Carbon emissions are one of the key issues in making a property more green.

But the government must introduce more policies to make retrofits a more attractive prospect, Mr Lingard advised.

"The really important thing about retrofitting is that 75 per cent of the homes that we will be living in, in 2050 are already in existence today," he explained.

According to the UK Low Carbon Transition Plan, some 15 per cent of the country's annual emissions will be cut between 2020 by making homes more energy efficient.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

Driffield builder fined £8,000

2010-01-11T00:00:00+00:00

A builder's breach of health and safety could have proved 'fatal', it has been claimed.

Scaffolding used by Angus William Naylor, partner of WM E Naylor & Son, "posed a risk of serious, if not fatal, injuries", according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Judges at Bridling Magistrates Court fined Mr Naylor £8,000 after finding him guilty of breaching Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005.

A routine inspection of his site in Driffield led inspectors to the scaffolding, which had no edge protection and was poorly erected, the HSE claimed.

Falls of up to five metres could have occurred thanks to the sub-standard construction.

Geoffrey Clark, HSE inspector, said: "The risks of working at height, and the measures required to avert these risks, particularly with scaffolding, are well documented."

The construction industry's largest cause of serious and fatal injuries is when people fall from a height, he added.

Some 58 workers died and over 3,600 were insured after falling from a height in the workplace, according to the HSE.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Archer

Employment law change 'welcomed' by industry

2010-01-11T00:00:00+00:00

Future changes to employment law, which mean that there is increased protection against the discrimination of older workers, have been welcomed by Saga.

Emma Soames, from the organisation's magazine said: "We welcome the fast track review to bring forward legislation that will allow older people to work on past 65 if they are willing and able."

She claimed that the current retirement age is an anachronism, because many Britons do not want to retire at the present default age.

Flexibility will, however, have to be introduced alongside the new litigation to ensure its success, Ms Soames added.

Independent policy adviser Dr Ros Altmann also welcomed the changes. Harriet Harman led the proposals and called for an end to the retirement age.

But current employment laws and government policy are obstructing people from leading longer working lives, she continued.

This is particularly poignant, Ms Altmann said, because people are living longer and staying fitter thanks to health care advances.

Ms Harman was qualified as a lawyer before becoming a government minister.

For further information about any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Employment law changes to be made this year

2010-01-08T00:00:00+00:00

New employment law which will come into force this year is expected to result in big changes for businesses.

"Fit notes" are going to replace current sick notes which change the way GPs authorise illness.

Doctors will have to state whether or not an employee could return to their job if the working conditions were altered.

The notes may also now be printed rather than the requirement of a handwritten document.

According to the Manchester Evening News, fit notes could be of benefit to the economy.

Managing director of employment law consultancy Peninsula Peter Done told the publication: "This is great news for employers as it is hoped to help deter sickness and absenteeism while at the same time an increased workforce will help boost productivity."

Changes will occur in April this year, alongside other employment law alterations.

In October, the Equity Bill will come into play to replace anti-discrimination legislation. Responsibility for preventing harassment by third parties to staff will be with the employer.

The default age for retirement is also expected to be reviewed this year by the government.

Currently, people are expected to retire at the mandatory age of 65 years old.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Archer

Panasonic reveals environmental concerns

2010-01-08T00:00:00+00:00

Carbon footprint management and other environmental issues may be taken into consideration by Panasonic, which has recently revealed it aims to become the number one green innovation company in its industry.

The electronics company said it aims to achieve this accolade by 2018, which will be its 100th anniversary.

President of the company Fumio Ohtsubo spoke to employees today (January 8th) about the organisation's plans.

He said that Panasonic ideas for life will be implemented in a bid to get people living in a more sustainable way on a global scale.

Ideas such as having a virtually zero emissions level of carbon dioxide for buildings and the evolution of eco cars were outlined in the speech.

A green work style will be promoted by Panasonic across the world, the company's president claimed.

Founder of the company Konosuke Matsushita is said to have began expressing environmental concerns at the start of Panasonic's creation.

The website claims that an environmental statement made by the organisation pledges to make sustainable use of natural resources.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hilll

Construction industry in for 'tough year'

2010-01-07T00:00:00+00:00

Those planning green construction builds this year may be interested in claims that the general election could impact on the industry.

A possible new government coming into power in 2010 will have to "balance the books" and this could lead to a tough year for those working in construction, according to the director of external affairs at the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Brian Berry said that construction activity has collapsed and refurbishment work is on the increase.

Certain construction companies are benefiting from this development, but others may struggle this year.

Mr Berry explained that 100,000 new homes had been built in 2009 - one of the lowest levels in almost one century.

Government targets for new builds were at 240,000 last year but many people could not afford to move house, he added.

The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS)/Markit Construction Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) reported this week (January 5th) that there had been a rise in residential construction activity.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Young man killed after health and safety breach

2010-01-07T00:00:00+00:00

A 20-year-old was electrocuted and killed after a company breached health and safety regulations.

Scottish engineering firm WA Fairhurst & Partner, which employed the victim, was fined £25,000 at Stonehaven Sheriff Court and pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Russell Donald, a trainee surveyor, was carrying a metal pole as he walked below a high-voltage power line.

The 20-year-old was electrocuted by the live power cable at Mcintosh Plant Hire in Aberdeenshire in 2007.

When Mr Donald did not return home from work, his father went to look for him and found his son's body.

Bosses at the firm had looked for him but did not find the young worker.

"This case came about as a result of a death in the course of employment. The deceased was a 20-year-old engineer who was surveying the locus and got electrocuted when carrying a pole under electric wires," said prosecutor Neil Shand.

According to the Electrical Safety Authority, power lines carry a large amount of energy and can be fatal.

For further information about any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

London 2012: Health and safety a 'priority'

2010-01-06T00:00:00+00:00

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) yesterday (January 5th) revealed that health and safety is a priority for the venues of the London 2012 event.

Chairman of the ODA John Armitt said: "We have achieved an excellent safety record on the project so far through the commitment and hard work of everyone on the site."

But he added that huge challenges face workers in their "toughest year".

Contractors and representatives of the authority have been promoting health and safety for those employed on-site.

Health checks for every worker as well as promotion campaigns on the topic have been displayed throughout the venues.

Some 11,000 people will now be employed to create the various constructions for the 2012 Olympics - a peak since the project's start.

Mr Armitt said that there is currently a 650-strong workforce each day, which is expected to increase to 1,000.

The Olympic Park is facing a huge logistical challenge and health and safety is not a matter which can be afforded complacency, he continued.

According to the ODA, health and safety will be integrated into every stage of the London 2012 operation.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

UK employment law 'must be met' during cold snap

2010-01-06T00:00:00+00:00

During the cold weather, employees must make sure that contingency plans for staff absence comply with employment law, according to the Forum of Private Business (FPB).

Research manager at the organisation Tom Parry said: "Employees make businesses grow and losing key staff because of the weather, even for just a day, is very damaging … It is important that employers put in place contingency plans for these occasions."

Certain industries such as manufacturing will not be able to offer workers the opportunity to do their jobs from home.

But for those that do, such as office workers, business owners have a responsibility to ensure that houses comply with health and safety regulations, Mr Parry added.

One day of employee absenteeism could cost £230 million - as calculated by the daily GDP figure, breakdown estimations and retail sales.

According to the Met Office, the snow and freezing conditions will continue for many Britons.

Ice following snow across the country will be the main hazard and there could be lows of minus eight degrees Celsius, chief forecaster of the Met Office Bob Wilderspin advised.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist your please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Archer

Worker paralysed after health and safety breach

2010-01-05T00:00:00+00:00

A worker was paralysed from the waist down after a container carrying 500kg of waste fell on top of him.

Three companies were fined £283,332, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reported yesterday (January 4th).

Stephen Rizzotti, aged 42, worked for Blair and Co - now Dalprop - on a Shell oil refinery in Cheshire.

In February 2007, Mr Rizzotti was crushed after the container, suspended 30 feet in the air, fell and broke his back, both legs and pelvis.

Chief inspector of HSE Alan Graham said: "This incident was totally avoidable and has had a devastating impact on Mr Rizzotti and his family."

He advised that construction scaffolding where walkways were separate from lifting equipment and protecting landing areas would have helped.

The health and safety of employees must always be put first and this demonstrates its importance, he added.

Shell UK Oil Products, Dalprop and Hertel UK were fined a total exceeding £250,000 at Warrington Crown Court yesterday (January 4th).

Both former companies pleaded guility to contravening Regulation 8(1)(c) of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998.

It states that "lifting loads in excess of the [safe working load] is not good practice".

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Archer

NHS employees strike over pay

2010-01-05T00:00:00+00:00

Employment law changes are being called for by 200 NHS workers involved in a two-day strike.

The members of trade union Unison walked out of their jobs yesterday (January 4th) for 48 hours after the North Devon NHS Trust refused to pay them Agenda for Change wages.

Unison claims that these wages were due three years ago and action will be taken on a weekly basis.

Regional organiser Helen Eccles said: "Our members don't want to take industrial action … they've waited three years for the national agreement to be implemented, despite the fact that the trust has already received the funds."

The union states that in 2005 a statement was signed by employees, the NHS, unions and private contractors, which said it would pay staff working for contractors the same amount as they would get if the NHS directly employed them.

Some 97 per cent of members voted for the industrial action.

According to the government, the Agenda for Change was made up of job evaluation, harmonised terms and conditions and the Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) which would simplify how new ways of working were processed.

Posted by James Hill

Liverpool One becomes Green Business Ambassador

2010-01-04T00:00:00+00:00

Retail centre Liverpool One has been awarded Green Business Ambassador status.

Some 130 companies across the region have been awarded the accolade, according to the Liverpool Echo.

Desk manager of the centre Helen Maguire said: "It is a great honour to be recognised for the work we are doing to lower the carbon footprint of the city."

The certificate was given by the city's Chamber of Commerce through the Year of the Environment.

According to its website, the Year of the Environment aims to make Liverpool more sustainable and green.

Initiatives are underway aiming to reduce the carbon footprint and get more people involved in the scheme.

Liverpool One won two gold titles at the British Council of Shopping Centres awards night in December, its website says.

The ceremony, presented by Andrew Marr, recognised the centre's role in regenerating the city.

Estate director Chris Bliss said this was a success for Liverpool and the retailers who form the award-winning construction.

For further information on any of our Environmental Services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 133.

Posted by James Hill

Schools advised of health and safety issues

2010-01-04T00:00:00+00:00

Health and safety guidelines for schools have been published which warn against the dangers of items such as musical instruments.

The Telegraph yesterday (January 3rd) reported that headteachers must carry out risk assessments for scenarios such as a helicopter landing on school grounds and other health and safety fears.

Councils have produced the guidelines which aim to protect schools from breaches in regulations.

Hot spicy foods have been advised against by one council thanks to the "adverse" effect this may have on teachers' voices.

Other hazards include clearing throats, talking quietly and using a forced whisper.

During music lessons, pupils must not use percussion hammers or drum sticks if a member of staff is not present, it was advised.

School visits to parks have received guidance stating that staff must "scan" areas to ensure there is no dangerous litter.

Teachernet says that the responsibility for health and safety in schools lies with the employer. This varies according to school, but can be the local authority or governing body.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

Employment tribunal: 42-year-old sacked because of age

2009-12-31T00:00:00+00:00

A 42-year-old who was sacked because of his age has sued his employer for age discrimination.

Employment law meant that the tribunal could rule unfair dismissal on regards of Achim Beck's age, the Telegraph reported.

The investment banker worked for the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) until he lost his six-figure salaried job as senior member of the derivatives team in May 2008.

A 38-year-old took the banker's place. It initially seemed that Mr Beck had been made redundant thanks to the credit crunch forcing the bank to restructure.

However, the tribunal said the company had hired head hunters to look for a younger candidate, it was reported.

Age discrimination laws from 2006 are a "gravy train" for workers such as Mr Beck, lawyers claimed.

CIBC may appeal against the decision and courts have not yet decided on the amount of money to be awarded to the claimant.

Age Concern describes age discrimination as treating somebody less favourably as a result of how old they are or appear to be.

Indirect discrimination also exists, whereby a person may put at a disadvantage because of their age compared with other people, it says.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Health and safety rates show drop in fatalities

2009-12-30T00:00:00+00:00

Statistics of work fatalities and injuries across the UK in 2008-09 have been published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

It found that 180 people were killed whilst doing their jobs over the 12 months - a rate of 0.6 per 100,000 workers.

A decrease in fatalities has been noted since 2006-07 but construction and agriculture maintain the highest numbers among sectors.

Some 53 of the deaths noted occurred in the construction industry.

The HSE reported that 27,594 employees suffered injuries over the period studied, with a third of them caused my slipping or tripping.

Regional director of the organisation David Sowerby said: "Most of these injuries are entirely preventable."

Some 29.3 million days were lost due to work-related ill health or injury - approximately one day per worker, it noted.

Injuries were suffered by 1.2 million people who claimed their symptoms were worsened by current or past work.

Employees all have a right to work in environments where their health and safety is controlled and is the responsibility of employers, the HSE states.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

BRE: Public sector buildings not showing improvement

2009-12-29T00:00:00+00:00

BRE has claimed that energy certificates do not show whether public sector buildings are energy efficient.

The BRE Trust - which issues the BREEAM environmental assessment method - said certificates fail to show evidence of improvements relating to energy efficiency in such buildings.

The display energy certificate (DEC) statistics of over 28,000 public sector buildings were examined by BRE.

Up to nine per cent of the DEC data was not reliable, it was found.

Job centres made up 17 per cent of unreliable certificates, with 23 per cent coming from academies.

A DEC records a building's metered energy usage and carbon emissions over 12 moths compared with established benchmarks, BRE claims.

Principal sustainability consultant at BRE Jon Mussett said: “Energy used in public buildings accounts for four per cent of the UK's carbon emissions. Design standards are improving, but we need to demonstrate that this is resulting in improved building performance.

The government should detect and measure carbon emission trends in different parts of the public estate, Mr Mussett added.

BRE notes that BREEAM has now become the "de-facto measure" used to describe how a building performs environmentally.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

TUC: Changes to employment law needed urgently

2009-12-24T00:00:00+00:00

The government has been urged to protect agency workers from exploitation, according to the Trades Union Congress (TUC).

Genuine equal treatment on pay, hours and holiday have been called for by the organisation in its response to the draft Agency Worker Regulations consultation.

It claimed that the regulations seek to implement the EU Temporary Agency Worker Directive into UK law.

But the organisation said that during a recession, agency works are vulnerable and the introduction of new rights is "urgent".

General secretary of the TUC Brendan Barber said: "Some rogue employers are using the lack of employment rights and insecurity of agency workers to treat agency temps badly."

When times are hard "vulnerable workers are always the first to suffer", he added.

Preventative measures against using bogus self-employment arrangements are among the amendments called for by the organisation.

It asks that every agency worker will receive the same pay, holiday and working time rights as equivalent directly-employed staff.

The TUC has 58 affiliated unions which represent almost seven million people, according to its website.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Firm fined £35,000 for health and safety breach

2009-12-23T00:00:00+00:00

Health and safety regulations were breached after a worker of an international courier firm suffered a broken leg.

Michael Tierney worked for Tuffnells Parcels Express in a Bedfordshire distribution centre.

While Mr Tierney was on the back of a lorry unloading goods during a night shift, the driver pulled away from the dock, causing him to fall approximately four feet.

The 53-year-old fractured his thigh bone as he hit the ground.

A fine of £35,000 was ordered to be paid by Tuffnells for breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, alongside £5,143 in costs, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reported.

HSE Inspector Graham Tompkins said a risk assessment had not been issued by the company to the driver in this case.

"Reasonable practical measures the company could have put in place would have included a simple control system to prevent the driver from pulling away from the loading bay," Mr Tompkins said.

Tuffnells has earned the title of UK Express Parcel Carrier of the Year three years in a row, it claims.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

2012 sustainable development venue foundations complete

2009-12-23T00:00:00+00:00

Foundations for a 2012 Olympics sustainable development were completed yesterday (December 22nd), it was announced by London 2012.

The Handball Arena is now exposed from the ground as the building, which began to be constructed in July, takes shape.

Some two hundred concrete columns were drilled 25 metres into the earth to form the huge arena's foundations.

Environmentally-friendly features of the construction include plans for external copper cladding, which is mostly recycled and will cover over 3,000 sq m.

Rainwater will be harvested on the roof of the arena to provide water to flush the building's toilets and reduce utility usage by 40 per cent.

Natural light is expected to stream into the venue thanks to plans for 88 light pipes in the ceiling.

Supporting the upper tiers of seating will be 30 concrete walls - 13 of which are being lifted into place.

Bolton steelmakers are working on the 1,000-tonne frame, which will provide a skeleton for the arena.

It was also announced yesterday that there will be a £500,000 share-out for London's creative industry workers during the lead up to the Games.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Archer

Decrease in employment disputes reported

2009-12-22T00:00:00+00:00

Contact Law has reported a sharp fall in employment disputes, according to the Telegraph.

On December 16th the newspaper noted a drop in the amount of people seeking employment law advice of eight per cent in October.

The firm, which provides solicitors across the UK, said that the first nine months of 2009 saw a 77 per cent increase in demand for employment lawyers.

An increase in redundancies which resulted in disputes such as unfair dismissal claims was also noted.

But the latest research suggests a turnaround in figures.

It was claimed by the newspaper that the decrease coincides with a slowdown in unemployment growth.

The Office for National Statistics stated that the rise in unemployment between August and October was the smallest since spring 2008.

Contact Law explained that it is important to get the right employment law adviser during a time of rising levels of employment tribunals.

Issues such as age discrimination, redundancy, harassment and minimum wage are examples of employment disputes, it states.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Project to go ahead after health and safety warning

2009-12-22T00:00:00+00:00

Contractors will be asked to build over 500 flats in Newcastle in spite of health and safety warnings, according to the Newcastle Chronicle.

It was reported that the building will begin on wasteland beside the Metro Radio Arena after city planning bosses approved the plans.

But the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) warned the council to turn down plans for the site because part of it, which will be used for play and games, is in the "inner ring of a major hazard site".

Planners agreed to drop the games site and council officers approved the application.

The HSE will now not formally object, the chair of the planning committee at the council claimed.

Developer Bellway Homes will have to decontaminate the site, previously used as lead works, before constructing the flats.

Land director at the company Norman Fada said: "The regeneration along the banks of the Tyne has come a long way and we hope this scheme will continue that success story."

Work will begin in 2010, he added.

Neighbouring Metro Radio Arena is the north-east's largest concert venue and can seat over 11,000 people.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

UK health and safety campaign wins European award

2009-12-21T00:00:00+00:00

A health and safety campaign which warned of the hidden dangers of asbestos has been voted number one in European PR awards.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) aimed to inform tradespeople of the diseases caused by asbestos.

Vienna hosted the latest European Excellence Awards and judged various public relations campaigns.

HSE's 'hidden killer' campaign was named as winner in the health category of the awards.

Communications agency MS&L helped with the design of the campaign and used football analogy as a way of explaining how many people die from exposure to the material.

A 100 per cent rise in calls to Infoline about asbestos was seen as a result of the adverts, alongside coverage in the UK media.

Steve Coldrick, asbestos programme director for HSE, said: "Asbestos remains Britain's biggest workplace killer".

But people tend to associate its dangers with the past, he added.

Various diseases result from contact with the material, including asbestosis, two kinds of cancer and diffuse pleural thickening, according to the government.

In 2007, 380 deaths resulted from asbestosis.

AbestosTesting.co.uk states that the removal of the material is highly specialised and it is illegal for anyone other than a licensed contractor to dispose of it.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Vertical city project resembles a 'green shoot'

2009-12-21T00:00:00+00:00

A London construction project which includes environmentally-friendly features has been described as a "green shoot" by the Times.

The Shard building, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, will reach 310 metres by 2011 and dominate the capital's skyline.

It will be completed in May 2012 and contain a five-star hotel, offices, restaurants, the UK's 12 highest apartments and shops.

According to Inhabit.com, the glass building will have an open top allowing it to breathe and two naturally ventilated winter gardens.

Glass surrounding the meeting areas will allow stunning views and provides lighting, the website claimed.

The Times said the Shard - a "vertical city" - is growing by nearly two storeys per week but will cover one acre of ground.

Parking will be limited to 48 spaces and it will be more accessible by public transport.

New London Bridge bus and train stations will be below the building - served by six rail lines, two Tube lines and 15 bus routes.

According to its website, around 7,000 people will work in the Shard.

Church of England 'must improve employment law'

2009-12-18T00:00:00+00:00

The Church of England has been urged to protect workers under employment law, according to Kester Cunningham John solicitors.

Unite trade union stated that vicars and reverends are not currently being protected under employment law.

National officer for the community and non-profit sector of Unite Rachael Maskell said that none enough is being done to avoid bullying and harassment of church workers.

This follows calls from Unite on December 16th for the resignation of two Church of England bishops.

Reverend Mark Sharpe and his family left their Worcester home after suffering four years of torment, according to the union.

It claims that the vicar, his wife and their four children suffered "a campaign of intimidation from parishioners".

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has been approached by Unite and asked to establish an investigation into the family's treatment.

Ms Maskell said that the bishops have failed as employers.

"The Church of England needs to introduce the full range of employment rights for its entire clergy, including Section 23 of the 1999 Employment Relations Act," she claimed.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Archer

Eco house 'could create green builders of the future'

2009-12-18T00:00:00+00:00

An MSP has called for Scotland's first sustainably constructed eco house to be marked by the Scottish Parliament.

Environmentally friendly Aurora House was built at South Lanarkshire College campus in East Kilbride, according to the Green Building Press.

It has an A-rated energy certificate, thermal energy pumps and the capacity to create more energy than it will use.

Cabinet secretary for finance and sustainable growth of Scotland Linda Fabiani said the parliament should officially open the building, which will be used by the college to train students and apprentices.

Aurora House increases the chances of the next generation of construction workers being able to build environmentally-friendly homes.

Future trades people may "expect low-carbon, low-energy construction techniques to be the norm and not the exception," she said.

Prototype eco homes have been built before, but this is the first time one has been affordable so that ordinary people can rent or buy the property.

Ms Fabiani said this attitude could help Scotland in meeting carbon reduction targets.

Part of the country's carbon management programme includes measures to promote sustainable travel by government staff.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Archer

Contractor's breach of health and safety 'led to worker's death'

2009-12-17T00:00:00+00:00

A worker died after his boss breached health and safety regulations, according to Westminster Magistrates Court.

The court issued a £750 fine to Mr Byrne and ordered him to pay £750 in costs after he was found guilty of breaching Regulation 5 of the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996.

Mr Byrne had hired a 21-year-old labourer with a limited knowledge of English to work on a house extension in Wembley.

On his first day of work the employee was shown a water-filled excavation pit of 1.74 metres - previously covered by a board which the defendant removed.

He was then left alone - when Mr Byrne returned he found the labourer head first in the pit and was pronounced dead at the scene.

A Health and Safety Executive inspector said that the death was clearly avoidable.

"Those running construction sites, whether they are domestic or commercial jobs, have a duty of care to supervise vulnerable workers," she said.

Section 5 of the regulations involves safe places of work and includes rules that: "Every place of work shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, be made and kept safe for, and without risks to health to, any person at work there".

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

Sustainable homes code 'cuts developers costs'

2009-12-17T00:00:00+00:00

A review of the Code for Sustainable Homes will be carried out by the government to help improve environmental standards.

Tougher rules for energy efficiency in building regulations will begin in 2010 and the code will be improved to meet such rules.

Housing and planning minister John Healey said household utility bills could be reduced by up to £1,500 per year if the new green rating is a success.

Developers have learned a lot about low carbon homes thanks to higher building standards which already exist in the code.

Established in February 2008, the code replaced the EcoHomes scheme and set minimum standards for environmental considerations.

Constructors and developers have saved money by following the code, according to the government.

Most projects are built to code level three which has seen a six per cent reduction in additional building costs since 2007.

Mr Healey said: "The code has proved its worth but now is the time to make it a more user-friendly standard for consumers. In the future, this will help drive uptake so people will save more money on bills and reduce the carbon footprint of new homes."

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Quarries told to assess risks after health and safety failure

2009-12-16T00:00:00+00:00

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) announced that a quarry owner was fined £10,000 after a 15-year-old boy fell 50ft when he entered a site.

Injuries including a broken elbow, chipped pelvis and fractured wrist were suffered by the boy after the fall in May 2008.

On December 11th at Cardiff crown court, Tarmac pleaded guilty to a break of regulation 16 of the Quarries Regulation 1999.

It was reported that a hedge which had prevented people from entering the quarry had been temporarily replaced by two lines of earth banks which were not robust enough.

The youth had climbed the banks before falling 50ft between Cornelly Quarry and Heol y Splot.

Alan Strawbridge HSE inspector said: "Quarry owners and managers need to fully risk assess the dangers of their sites and proper measures to manage those risks."

He warned the public that quarries are not leisure amenities and said the boy was lucky not to sustain far more serious, potentially fatal, injuries.

Minerals UK reports that 293 million tonnes of minerals were extracted from Britain's landmass using methods such as quarries in 2007.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 0845 122 144

Posted by Claire Archer

'One of the largest' LEED accredited construction opens

2009-12-16T00:00:00+00:00

An $8.5 million (£5 million) complex built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards opened in Las Vegas on December 16th.

National Public Radio (NPR) reported that CityCentre was designed by leading architects such as Rafael Vinoly.

The complex is one of the largest to meet LEED standards for sustainable construction, it says.

CityCentre contains hotels, a shopping mall, a resort and casino and covers 19 million square feet.

Some 9,000 construction workers built the centre over five years and around 12,000 people will be employed there.

MGM Mirage and Dubai World teamed up for the project, which is unique on the Las Vegas strip because of its size and lack of official theme, NPR claimed.

Internationally recognised, LEED verifies that a building or project has been created with environmental considerations.

Energy saving, water efficiency and improved indoor environmental quality are among the criteria examined.

Projects must satisfy a minimum amount of points from a 100-point scale in order to achieve certification.

Posted by James Hill

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

BAE Systems expands safety review team

2009-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

A "leading systems engineer and barrister" has been appointed to assess a BAE Systems safety review.

Dr Chris Elliott will review the company's product safety approach across all its UK sectors, the company announced on December 14th.

He will assist and work with the group managing director of programmes and support Nigel Whitehead who is leading the review.

The team is going to examine BAE Systems' product safety approach and look at how it could be developed.

Ian King, chief executive officer of the company, said: "Our focus on safety remains a top priority … we will work with our customer, the UK Ministry of Defence to ensure that any learning benefits our current and future workload."

Current policies and any actions associated with product safety will be assessed by the six-person senior team.

Other industries will also be examined in order to see how they have dealt with similar issues.

BAE Systems' code of conduct for health and safety states that complying with the rules is an essential minimum

It advises workers to immediately intervene if they see someone putting themselves or others at risk.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Claire Archer

UK employment law 'failing to protect workers'

2009-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

Aspects of UK employment law are not protecting workers against discrimination, according to the European commission.

The Guardian reported that the matter could be referred to the European court of justice after the commission warned the government in November that there is "too much scope for discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation" in the existing law.

Head of Cloisters chambers Robin Allen said that the government is unlikely to make changes to the law in 2010 as it is an election year.

Under UK employment rules, there is no ban on instructions to discriminate and a lack of clear provisions for class actions, according to the EU's equal opportunities commissioner.

November's Queen's speech stated that legislation to promote equality would be taken forward.

"The bill will also introduce transparency in the workplace to help address the differences in pay between men and women," it was announced.

But the warning from the commission has now singled out the UK as the only EU country not to implement two key anti-discrimination EU directives, reported the newspaper.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

Coroner: Factory must reflect on health and safety

2009-12-14T00:00:00+00:00

A Sheffield coroner is urging companies to reflect on health and safety, after a crane driver died following a forklift truck accident.

The city's Star newspaper reported on the inquest into 28-year-old Alan Winters' death.

It said that Mr Winters was a crane driver at Darnall's DavyMarkham factory.

He had been trying to extract a three-tonne crate out of a shipping container when he was crushed.

But the company did not have the right equipment and was not used to the procedure, according to the Star.

Members of the jury returned a narrative verdict on Mr Winters' death, reporting that managers had been creating a risk assessment and safe-working plan at the time.

Coroner Chris Dorries gave company bosses 56 days to take steps to ensure such an accident does not happen again, the newspaper reported.

Jurors said Mr Winter was standing on the back of a vehicle attempting to reach a chain on top of one of the containers.

A fellow worker was reversing a forklift when his foot slipped and Mr Winters was crushed, the newspaper noted.

The Forklift Truck Association says that risk assessment is a key tool when ensuring safety in the workplace.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by James Hill

Carbon Trust Standards awarded to distributor

2009-12-14T00:00:00+00:00

Menzies Distribution has been awarded the Carbon Trust Standard thanks to its efforts to be more environmentally friendly.

The company which delivers 45 per cent of all UK newspapers and magazines has announced it is on target to reduce its carbon footprint by 30 per cent, according to Materials Handling World magazine.

David Morton, strategic development director of the division, said: "We've carefully measured our carbon footprint as far back as 2001, and then plotted our ongoing performance year by year," the magazine reported.

Part of John Menzies, the Edinburgh-based Menzies Distribution has introduced an initiative to reschedule their routes and reduce the daily mileage of the fleet.

Recycling contracts are now in operation across the company to deal with materials such as waste paper and unsold stock, the magazine reports.

The Carbon Trust award was granted for Menzies Distribution's head office, associated companies and 40 UK distribution depots.

Organisations which are awarded the accreditation are "taking real action to reduce their direct impact on climate change", the Carbon Trust states.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Posted by Liam Lawrence

Veolia fined £150,000 after chemical fire

2009-12-11T00:00:00+00:00

Health and safety breaches that caused a major chemical fire have led to a fine for international site waste management company Veolia.

It has been ordered to pay £150,000 following a two-year investigation into what caused the fire at the Red Scar Industrial Estate in Preston during July 2007.

More than 132,000 litres of chemicals were set alight in a fire that raged for several hours, with 66 firefighters needed to tackle the blaze and sections of the M6 and M55 shut down.

The cause of the fire was found to be lithium batteries igniting near waste materials and the site waste management company pled guilty to two breaches of health and safety after it was found that dangerous chemicals were not stored safely.

Peter Holland, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service's chief fire officer, said: "I trust that this case will emphasise to other businesses in Lancashire the importance of carrying out a fire risk assessment and acting on the findings."

Veolia, one of the country's largest site waste management firms, was recently awarded an £8 million waste contract with Wycombe District Council, reported MRW.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Posted by James Hill

Ucatt seeks change to UK employment law

2009-12-11T00:00:00+00:00

The Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians (Ucatt) is seeking a change to UK employment in regards to worker's contracts.

The government is currently proposing that staff registered by their companies as 'self-employed' for tax purposes should be counted as an employee unless they meet certain conditions.

These include supplying their materials, owning their own plant or employing other workers.

Ucatt wants to see the proposed UK employment law extended to give the people who would have their status changed to 'employees' being given full employment rights.

Despite wanting to see the measures go further, Alan Ritchie, general secretary of Ucatt, said his organisation widely supported the planned legislation.

"The government's proposals will not only ensure that the Treasury receives proper revenues but will start to tackle the rampant casualisation which bedevils the construction industry," he stated.

Earlier this month, Ucatt warned that a new UK employment law that is designed to stop blacklisting of workers affliated with trade unions contains too many loopholes to be effective.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Posted by Liam Lawrence

Asbestos health and safety scheme launched in Sheffield

2009-12-10T00:00:00+00:00

A health and safety scheme highlighting the dangers of asbestos has been launched in Sheffield.

Sheffield Homes, which runs 42,000 council houses in the city, has sent out letters to tenants whose properties may be affected after it compiled a database to deal with the problem.

Many homes in the city are thought to contain the substance, which is dangerous if disturbed and fibres are released into the air.

Janet Sharpe, assistant investment director for Sheffield Homes, told the Star: "The continued health and safety of our customers and staff is of paramount importance.

"We hope our campaign will raise awareness and ensure all asbestos is dealt with in a safe and sensible manner."

Earlier this week, a company was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay costs of more than £8,000 after failing to carry out proper risk assessments for the presence of asbestos.

Waxport Ltd was carrying out an office refurbishment and advised the company it had employed to do the work that there was no asbestos present on the site.

But when work commenced, asbestos was disturbed and the refurbishment only stopped after an employee correctly identified the substance.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Inadequate health and safety 'led to leg amputation'

2009-12-10T00:00:00+00:00

Failure to provide an electrical engineer with adequate health and safety training contributed to a fall which resulted in him having his left leg amputated below the knee, a court has ruled.

Keith Waring, of Rotherham, was working on cabling on the side of a house in September 2002 when he fell 13ft from his ladder onto a patio.

Both of his ankles were badly damaged in the fall and the left one was so severely injured Mr Waring had to have it amputated, reports the Yorkshire Post.

He has been awarded £450,000 for the accident after it was revealed he did not receive adequate health and safety training.

"The simple fact is that the accident should never have happened, and it would never have happened if my employer had given me the correct training and safety equipment for the job in hand," Mr Waring said.

At the time of the incident, he had been working for Rotherham firm Rhino, which is now known as Steal-Master UK and is currently in liquidation.

Earlier this week, the Health and Safety Executive urged firms to take advantage of its ladder exchange initiative, which is due to finish at the end of this month.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Firms unsure on London's carbon footprint management plans

2009-12-09T00:00:00+00:00

Businesses are not convinced that London will be able to achieve Boris Johnson's ambitious carbon footprint management targets for the capital, according to a new survey.

The Mayor of London wants to cut the capital's carbon emissions by 60 per cent by 2025 but the majority of companies are sceptical this will happen.

A KPMG and Confederation of British Industry study reported that 79 per cent of businesses operating in London are not confident there is a clear carbon footprint management plan in place to achieve such cuts.

But many companies in the capital have pushed on with their own carbon footprint management initiatives.

Half have updated technology or equipment, 46 per cent have taken green action through their supply chain, while 36 per cent have switched their energy supplier.

Earlier this month, the Olympic Delivery Authority announced that carbon emissions at the Olympic Stadium construction site had been cut by 50 per cent.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Posted by James Hill

Ladder exchange scheme aims to improve health and safety

2009-12-09T00:00:00+00:00

A ladder exchange initiative carried out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in a bid to curb the number of workers being injured or dying in falls from faulty equipment is to end this month.

In 2008/09, 35 workers were killed and more than 4,500 suffered a major injury as a result of a fall from height in the workplace.

HSE has warned businesses that time is running out for them to replace their old, damaged or broken ladders with new ones, as its scheme will come to a close on December 31st 2009.

Peter Brown from HSE said: "We've had more than 900 ladders exchanged so far and we're keen for more businesses to make the most of the offer before the end of the month."

Companies were reminded that, under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, that if working at height must take place, they should ensure to the best of their ability that the chance of a fall is kept to a minimum.

Last week, Brendan Barber, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, urged organisations to take health and safety seriously to protect both their employees and the public.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Government's health and safety pledge backed by Centrica

2009-12-09T00:00:00+00:00

Energy firm Centrica has signed up to the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) pledge to make workplaces in the UK as safe as possible.

Sam Laidlaw, chief executive of the firm, said the new strategy set out clear priorities for businesses and said he was "delighted" to give it Centrica's "full endorsement".

"A strong focus on health and safety has always been my number one priority and is especially important in an industry such as energy production and supply," he commented.

He noted that the new focus on leadership was in line with Centrica's own goals and that the firm would be looking for improvements both in its own organisation and in its business partners.

HSE's chief executive Geoffrey Podger said the body was "delighted" that Centrica had committed to the pledge.

According to the body, 1.2 million people in the last year said they were suffering from an illness caused or made worse by current or past jobs.

Some 180 people died while at work, a rate of six for every million people in the UK's workforce.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Welsh Assembly signs health and safety pledge

2009-12-08T00:00:00+00:00

The Welsh Assembly has signed up to a new health and safety initiative as part of a bid to cut the number of workplace-related deaths, injuries and illnesses in the country.

In 2008/09, five workers died and more than 1,600 suffered injuries while at work in Wales.

By signing up to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) scheme, the Welsh Assembly has committed itself to working with employers to make health and safety more important to their organisation.

Rhodri Morgan, first minister for Wales, said: "Work-related accidents can be avoided and it is important that people are made to feel safe while going about their job."

He called on companies in the country to manage workplace risks more effectively.

In December 2008, Taylor Woodrow Construction was fined £200,000 and ordered to pay costs of more than £70,000 after a worker died in Cardiff.

John Walsh had been working on the construction of the National Assembly building in March 2004 when a wall collapsed, throwing him from the ladder he was on.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Posted by Liam Lawrence

Health and safety warning for employers on Christmas stress

2009-12-08T00:00:00+00:00

A top health and safety body has warned employers to be on the lookout for potential signs of stress in their staff as the Christmas season approaches.

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) stated that employees working in shops, pubs and restaurants could be under particular pressure during the festive period.

John Holden, IOSH president, said: "Work is not always the key factor behind pressured people coming down with stress, but it can be the straw that breaks the camel's back.

He added that managers need to be aware of their responsibility to ensure the health and safety of staff under their care.

Recent statistics have shown that more than 11 million working days have been lost in the UK due to work-related stress, depression and anxiety.

According to the Health and Safety Executive, management figures should be looking to ensure support is provided to workers on issues such as their workload and when any organisational changes occur to minimise the risk of work-related stress issues.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Posted by Claire Archer

New FlyBe training centre aiming for high BREEAM rating

2009-12-08T00:00:00+00:00

A new FlyBe training centre has been designed to fulfil top BRE Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) specifications.

Building work on the site has started this week following an official turf-cutting ceremony carried out by aviation minister Paul Clark.

When construction is completed next year, the building will house four flight simulators to help provide vocational training for FlyBe staff.

A 160-room hotel will also be built on the site, which is adjacent to Exeter International Airport.

Local firm Rok is carrying out the construction job and is hoping to gain a BREEAM 'Excellent' rating for the facilities it is helping to create.

Bruce MacDonald, Rok's construction leader in Exeter, said: "We have been doing plenty…to ensure the building fulfils its aspirations for a first class, environmentally-sound facility for nurturing the much needed skills of the future."

Earlier this month, Network Rail also revealed it was hoping to achieve BREEAM 'Excellent' status for its new national centre in Milton Keynes.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Posted by James Hill

HSE issues health and safety warning about risk management

2009-12-08T00:00:00+00:00

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a health and safety warning to employers about the need to have suitable risk management strategies and training schemes in place.

It comes after SF Ltd, trading as British Gas, of Millstream in Windsor was fined £35,000 with £65,000 costs after one of its engineers was killed.

Ricky Cronin was electrocuted while he was working on a washing machine fault when he made contact with live parts after removing the back panel.

Despite being accompanied by a more experienced colleague, the worker was only in his fifth week of employment and the HSE found that his induction training had not been sufficient and the risk assessment inadequate.

Rauf Ahmed, HSE inspector, issued this health and safety warning to employers: "The HSE will not hesitate to take action against those who fall short of the law in cases like this."

Earlier this month, the HSE fined FW Abbott of Kettering £40,000 and ordered it to pay costs of £25,000 after its employee Martin Carswell was killed when under a 24-tonne road draining vehicle after the supports holding it up collapsed.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Posted by Claire Archer

Network Rail hoping for 'Excellent' BREEAM rating for national centre

2009-12-07T00:00:00+00:00

Network Rail has announced it is hoping to achieve a BRE Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) rating of 'Excellent' for its planned new centre in Milton Keynes.

Construction work is due to begin on the project next year and will house 3,000 employees once it is completed in 2012.

Sustainability has formed a key part of the design process and Network Rail has included several environmentally-friendly features to help achieve its desired BREEAM rating.

These include rainwater harvesting systems to irrigate the landscaping on the facility as well as helping to flush the toilets in the offices.

Other design features include locally-sourced and recycled building materials, along with "living roofs" that will provide an extensive habitat for the growth of flora and fauna.

Iain Coucher, chief executive of Network Rail, said: "Our plans for the national centre demonstrate our commitment to reduce our environmental impact at every turn."

Last week, Place North West reported that Morgan Ashurst were hoping to achieve a BREEAM 'Excellent' rating for its design and build plans for a new science block at the University of Central Lancashire.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Posted by James Hill

Sellafield receives £75k health and safety fine

2009-12-07T00:00:00+00:00

Sellafield was handed a £75,000 health and safety fine late last week after pleading guilty to breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act.

A pair of contractors working at the site inhaled radioactive contamination while drilling an area of the floor.

The concrete is believed to have been contaminated by radiation spillage some years ago and was being drilled before it was removed. However, those doing the work were exposed to plutonium in the form of dust.

Mark Basset, superintending nuclear inspector for the Health and Safety Executive, commented: "Although the radiation doses in this case were below the statutory dose limits, they could potentially have been higher. They should have been zero."

He added that the firm should have properly assessed the risk and taken steps to plan to minimise the dangers.

The fine could have been much greater as the there is no limit on the amount the firm could have been ordered to pay for the offence.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Posted by Liam Lawrence

Half of SMEs 'unfamiliar with Disability Discrimination Act'

2009-12-07T00:00:00+00:00

A significant proportion of small and medium-enterprises (SMEs) in the UK polled in a recent study by ComRes and Remploy were not familiar with a key piece of UK employment law.

About half of the respondents said they did not know what the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act were.

Despite this, more than six out of ten (65 per cent) claimed they did not need support with regards to legal requirements.

Tim Matthews, Remploy chief executive, said: "The employment levels among people with mental health issues and learning disabilities is nothing short of scandalous."

The research also found that people with mental health issues or learning difficulties are twice as likely not to be employed by SMEs as other groups that face obstacles to their finding jobs.

Last week, the Trades Union Congress called for a change to UK employment law to align the private sector with the public sector on issues of racial discrimination.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Posted by Claire Archer

CBI calls for global carbon market

2009-12-07T00:00:00+00:00

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has said a carbon market could be an effective way to help carbon footprint management.

It claimed that a scheme enabling firms to buy permits for CO2 emissions such as the existing EU Emissions Trading Scheme should be set up on a global basis.

John Cridland, CBI deputy director-general, described this as "one of the best mechanisms" for reducing emissions consistently and fairly.

"The last thing we want is a disorderly transition with countries making their own arrangements and moving at different paces," he said.

He claimed that businesses will be at the centre of improving carbon footprint management because they will deliver the infrastructure and develop the products and services needed to create a more environmentally-friendly economy.

This comes after global provider of market intelligence IDC claimed that many businesses are unaware of the full range of carbon-emission reducing technologies available to them.

An official from the firm suggested that many do not implement eco-friendly IT strategies because those who do know about the technology are not the ones who make the decisions.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Posted by James Hill

New UK employment law plans on blacklisting come under fire

2009-12-04T00:00:00+00:00

The government's plans to change UK employment law in order to make it illegal for employers to blacklist workers who belong to a trade union have been slammed by recruitment agency representatives.

Part of the new legislation proposes that recruiters cannot refuse to help jobseekers on the basis of them appearing on a blacklist provided to it by an employer.

But Anne Fairweather, head of public policy for the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC), said that the UK employment law change did not tackle the underlying issues that like at the heart of the problem.

"Boiling down a series of complex issues, which in virtually all cases involve breaches of the law, to a call for an extension of the licensing of recruitment agencies is missing the point," she said.

Ms Fairweather added that the REC was committed to effective enforcement, but did not believe the new legislation was the right way to go.

The government wants to bring in the change to UK employment law early next year, but the bill must first receive approval from parliament.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Large health and safety fine possible after workers' radiation exposure

2009-12-04T00:00:00+00:00

A large health and safety fine is expected for the company that runs the Sellafield nuclear facility after two workers were exposed to radiation.

The contractors came into contact with plutonium in July 2007 as they drilled through a concrete floor containing the radioactive substance.

A subsequent Health and Safety Executive investigation found that they were not exposed to dangerous levels of the chemical element and there has been no immediate impact on the workers' health.

Sellafield Ltd has pled guilty to breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act and will learn its punishment today (December 4th 2009) at Carlisle Crown Court.

According to a 2004 government report that was leaked to the New Scientist, the cancer risk from plutonium exposure may be ten times higher than originally thought.

At the time, it warned that international safety law may have to be changed as a result of the findings.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Posted by Liam Lawrence

BREEAM 'excellent' rating planned for new science block

2009-12-04T00:00:00+00:00

Developers are hoping a new science block at the University of Central Lancashire will achieve an 'Excellent' rating under the BRE Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM).

Morgan Ashurst has been handed a £9 million contract to design and build the facility, which is to be an extension of a current block, reports Place North West.

Because of the environmentally-friendly nature of the designs, the construction firm believes the building will be able to achieve a high BREEAM rating once it is complete.

When finished, the facility will be used by the department of forensic and investigative sciences, along with the school of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences.

Work on the block is scheduled to be completed by September 2010.

Last month, a BREEAM 'Excellent' rating was awarded to the design plans for Caterlink's new head office in Bodmin, Cornwall.

Business Cornwall reported that environmental features planned for the office included solar shading and grey water recycling.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Posted by James Hill

Health and safety failings 'contributed to worker's death'

2009-12-03T00:00:00+00:00

A lack of health and safety training for staff contributed to the death of a worker at a commercial vehicle repair centre, Northampton Crown Court has ruled.

FW Abbott of Kettering was fined £40,000 and ordered to pay costs of £25,000 for its part in the death of employee Martin Carswell in June 2007.

He was working underneath a 24-tonne road draining vehicle when the support equipment holding it up collapsed, crushing him to death.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that Mr Carswell, an experienced mechanic, had only used one axle stand to hold up the rear of the vehicle, which had not been sufficient to keep the lorry up.

Two stands would have held it firmly in place, the court was told.

The company was fined after it was found to have no health and safety systems in place, something the HSE claimed may have made Mr Carswell more diligent when raising and supporting the vehicle.

Last week, James Huntley & Sons of Southampton was fined £50,000 after a site visitor was killed by a scrapyard claw when present on the site owned by the metal recyclers.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

London 2012 construction 'on track with carbon footprint management'

2009-12-03T00:00:00+00:00

Effective carbon footprint management policies have led to a 15 per cent reduction in carbon emissions from the construction work on the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The figure is in line with the project's sustainability aims, which have recently been updated in a new report.

Work on the Olympic Stadium came in for particular praise from the organising authorities, as carbon footprint management policies on the site have seen carbon emissions slashed by 50 per cent.

Lord Coe, chairman of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, said that sustainability had been a key part of the planning process.

"From construction to how we will stage the Games in 2012, we're constantly looking at ways to ensure we're setting new standards in how major events are staged," he stated.

Last week, the International Olympic Committee gave the thumbs-up on the preparations for the London 2012 Games, labelling the progress as "very positive" following its latest site visit.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Tower crane health and safety regulations 'to be reviewed after a year'

2009-12-03T00:00:00+00:00

New health and safety regulations on tower cranes that are set to be introduced next April will be reviewed after a year in operation.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will be able to decide in April 2011 whether to extend, scrap or modify the scheme based on its first 12 months, reports Construction News.

It normally waits between three and five years before conducting a performance review of new legislation, but the HSE board decided that was too long to wait in this case.

Philip White, the chief construction inspector for HSE, said: "Once it is up and running we can come back, maybe 12 months in, with the facts and figures as to what is happening."

Under the proposed rules, which are currently open to public consultation, companies using tower cranes will have to register them with HSE two weeks before they are due to be used.

Employers on construction sites that use cranes will have to notify HSE of when and where a crane will be used, along with when it was last subject to a safety examination.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

David Cameron under fire for health and safety attack

2009-12-02T00:00:00+00:00

Conservative leader David Cameron has come under attack after he called health and safety legislation "over the top".

Mr Cameron pledged to amend the Health and Safety Act if the Conservatives got into power, in order to strip it of rules that have led to headteachers ordering children to wear goggles when they play conkers.

But Mike McDonald, a negotiator at union body Prospect, said that Mr Cameron had unhelpfully perpetuated the myth that health and safety officials do not have an important role to play in society.

"There is a world of difference between petty bureaucracy enacted under the label of health and safety and Health and Safety Executive regulation designed to prevent deaths in the workplace," Mr McDonald said.

A stronger attack on Mr Cameron came from Trades Union Congress general secretary Brendan Barber, who said the politician's comments distorted the facts considering almost 250,000 people had been injured at work in the past year.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

TUC calls for UK employment law change on racial discrimination

2009-12-02T00:00:00+00:00

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has called for changes to UK employment law in order to bring the private sector in line with the public sector on issues of racial discrimination.

Frances O'Grady, deputy general secretary of the TUC, praised the government for the introduction of several pieces of important legislation into UK employment law.

She cited the Race Relations Amendment Act, the Ethnic Minority Task Force and the public sector duty to promote racial equality as creditable initiatives but called on the government to go further.

"For us, the principle of equality is indivisible - it simply cannot apply to some groups of workers and not to others," she said, urging the government to extend the racial equality duty to cover private sector organisations.

Under the government's new Equality Bill, public bodies with more than 150 employees will have to publish annual statistics detailing their ethnic minority employment rate.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Health and safety investigation begins into wind turbine collapse

2009-12-02T00:00:00+00:00

A health and safety investigation has begun after the collapse of a wind turbine that was being installed at a Norfolk school.

The 40ft turbine fell on to the bonnet of a contractor's van, crushing the front end of the vehicle.

Lincolnshire firm Gladwood BCS had been installing the £28,000 renewable energy source at Fakenham High School when the incident occurred earlier this week, reports the Daily Mail.

Headteacher Richard Moore has been asked to provide a report into the incident by the Health and Safety Executive.

Joe Campion, a Gladwood BCS director, said it appeared the turbine was still attached to a winch when it lost support from the base and collapsed.

"There was a large safety zone around the base of the turbine, so nobody was at risk apart from our operators, who are quite aware they need to keep an eye on the turbine as it is winched up," he stated.

Last year, a 25-year-old wind turbine collapsed in Cumbria during bad weather.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Eco-friendly companies 'driven by responsibility'

2009-12-01T00:00:00+00:00

The majority of small business owners who have taken steps to improve their carbon footprint management and become more eco-friendly are motivated by a sense of responsibility rather than regulations.

According to the Forum of Private Business's study, more than eight out of ten (83 per cent) of respondents said working on green strategies was "the right thing to do".

Some 57 per cent said they were working on carbon footprint management and reducing their impact on the environment because it could boost their reputation, while 48 per cent claimed it made "business sense" to do so.

Among the measures taken by respondents were regularly monitoring fuel bills (52 per cent), upgrading commercial premises (48 per cent) and investing in new technology.

They claimed that one of the most effective potential solutions for encouraging businesses to become more eco-friendly would be to offer VAT reductions for green investments.

Last month Abbey and Alliance & Leicester Business Banking found that 42 per cent of firms want to become more environmentally-friendly but think they are being held back.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

E.coli spill leads to prosecution of HPA

2009-12-01T00:00:00+00:00

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is facing prosecution for health and safety breaches after three workers were exposed to the risk of infection from E.coli O157.

Some contaminated material was spilt on the floor at the Centre for Infections in Colindale during the disposal process.

While none of the workers fell ill, the Health and Safety Executive is prosecuting the HPA and highlighted the need for employers to ensure staff are not exposed to dangerous materials.

The date for the court hearing has been set for February 5th 2009 at the City of London Magistrates' Court.

E.coli O157 is a bacteria found in the intestines of humans and animals and it can infect people when they consume food or water contaminated by the faeces of infected animals.

Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, employers have a responsibility to ensure that chemicals and other dangerous materials are stored and handled in a way that limits exposure to them.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Swissport's employment practices questioned by Unite

2009-12-01T00:00:00+00:00

Trade union Unite has criticised the employment practices of airport service company Swissport at Gatwick.

Under UK employment law, a zero-hour contract, such as those being used by the firm, states that staff are not contracted to work for a specific amount of time, but effectively they can be required to work at any time.

Unite claims Swissport introduced a "disposable workforce" of people using zero-hour contracts after dismissing paid permanent employees.

The union believes about 20 workers are employed on a zero-hours basis, with some doing shifts of up to 17 hours in length with no fixed working week. In September this year, Swissport announced 81 redundancies.

Madeleine Richards, Unite regional officer, said: "Swissport's ditching of full time permanent employees for a hire and fire workforce at Gatwick is a scandal."

She explained that "most reputable employers" stopped using zero-hour contracts in the 1990s.

The Unite representative claimed that this was one of the worst examples she has seen of "a company using the recession to exploit and spread fear among its workforce".

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Crane death leads to health and safety fine

2009-11-30T00:00:00+00:00

A scrap metal firm has received an £85,000 fine for health and safety breaches after a site visitor was crushed to death by a crane.

Barry Collins, 24, was at the James Huntley and Sons' scrapyard in Southampton with his brother in order to look at a rare Volkswagen vehicle he wanted to buy, reports the Southern Daily Echo.

The two men were able to walk unchallenged into the site and Mr Collins got inside the vehicle.

But a crane driver began operating on the vehicle, not realising Mr Collins was trapped inside.

A Health and Safety Executive investigation found that there was only one sign telling visitors to report to the site office and that no one at the facility had to wear hard hats or high-visibility clothing.

The company was fined £50,000 and ordered to pay £34,373 for its part in the tragedy.

Earlier this month, two firms were fined after a worker died when scaffolding collapsed on a construction site in Milton Keynes.

Northern Irish contractor McAleer & Rushe was fined £90,000 for its part in the fatality, while cladder Lee Smith Carpentry, of Romsey, was fined £36,000 after the scaffolding was found to have been unsafe.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Two firms in court over scaffolding death

2009-11-30T00:00:00+00:00

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are prosecuting two companies over the death of a joiner three years ago.

Peter Walton, 55, was airlifted to hospital after scaffolding collapsed at Altham Industrial Estate, East Lancashire in June 2006.

But after a coma of five-and-a-half weeks, he died in hospital due to the brain injuries he suffered in the fall, reports the Lancashire Telegraph.

Glenn Mill Group Developments, of Nelson, and Howorth Scaffolding Services, of Hapton, are facing charges of exposing Mr Walton to health and safety risks while working at height.

At the inquest into Mr Walton's death, coroner Dr James Adeley recorded a verdict of accidental death but said that the scaffolding had not been properly erected.

The court case has been adjourned until January 13th 2010.

Earlier this month, two companies were fined for their part on the death of a worker who was killed when scaffolding on a construction site in Milton Keynes collapsed.

Northern Irish contractor McAleer & Rushe was fined £90,000 for health and safety failings, while cladder Lee Smith Carpentry, of Romsey, was fined £36,000.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

New construction tsar hoping to improve health and safety

2009-11-27T00:00:00+00:00

Health and safety on construction sites is one of the key issues being targeted by Paul Morrell, the government's new chief construction adviser.

The appointment of the former Davis Langdon partner to the role was announced earlier this week and Mr Morrell told Construction News that he would not be acting as a lobbyist for construction firms.

He said that he would be pointing out the economic and social importance of construction work, but was not going to be holding out a "begging bowl" on behalf of the industry.

Mr Morrell added that health and safety would be an important issue during his tenure.

"Safety continues to be a high priority for everyone in industry," he said.

"Although good progress has been made over the past year, more can be done in this area".

A recent survey by the Chartered Institute of Building shows that his concerns about health and safety are reflected throughout the sector.

It found that almost 70 per cent of construction executives believe health and safety is being taken very seriously at their company.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Environment Agency rewarded for sustainable procurement efforts

2009-11-27T00:00:00+00:00

The sustainable procurement policies of the Environment Agency have helped it secure an environmental award from a European Union body.

It has been handed the European Eco-Management and Audit Scheme award for excellence in environmental management.

Herbert Robrecht, chairman of the award jury and director of sustainability management at the European Secretariat, said: "The UK Environment Agency deserves special credit for their efforts to include ambitious green and social criteria, as well as for successfully embedding sustainable procurement activities in their management processes."

Mr Robrecht added that he hoped their example would inspire other public sector bodies and private sector companies down the path towards environmentally-friendly policies.

Earlier this month, the agency signed a seven-year IT outsourcing deal with Capgemini which it believes will cut carbon emissions at the department by around 50 per cent.

Green policies form a key part of the deal - from the production of new hardware to the recycling of it once it has reached the end of its use.

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Health and Safety Executive unveils new tower crane regulations

2009-11-26T00:00:00+00:00

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published its new proposals for a statutory tower crane register following a three-month public consultation period.

Under the new measures, employers that use cranes will have to notify the HSE of when and where a crane will be used, along with when it was last examined.

The regulations will cover conventional tower cranes on construction sites and are set to come into force from April next year.

Cranes already in operation at the date the regulations come into force will have to be registered with the HSE within four weeks.

The health and safety measures are being introduced after eight people died in tower crane accidents during the last decade.

Philip White, HSE chief inspector of construction, said: "We have learnt a great deal from recent incidents and are working together with hirers, suppliers, manufacturers and stakeholders to ensure that anything we have learnt is acted upon."

In 2007, Polish worker Zbigniew Swirzynski was killed in a tower crane collapse in Liverpool, leading to the coroner in the case alerting the government to the need for change to safety regulations.

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Firms 'unprepared for carbon footprint management legislation'

2009-11-26T00:00:00+00:00

Many British businesses are not prepared for the new carbon footprint management legislation which is set to be introduced in April 2010.

A survey commissioned by software organisation SAP UK & Ireland found that 20 per cent of UK companies have no idea what measures they need to take and have not started planning for the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) rules.

Less than 50 per cent of firms have the necessary IT systems in place to improve their carbon footprint management, despite 77 per cent of businesses agreeing that the legislation will be a good opportunity to make their organisation more environmentally-friendly.

Simon Godfrey, sustainability champion for SAP UK & Ireland, said: "The research highlights a worryingly low level of preparedness for the CRC."

The aim of the CRC is to improve the carbon footprint management of companies across the country.

Under the rules of the mandatory scheme, all organisations who spend more than £500,000 on electricity each year will be rated on how effectively they are reducing their carbon emissions.

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UK employment law on homosexuals 'must change'

2009-11-25T00:00:00+00:00

A UK employment law exemption that allows religious organisations to refuse to employ homosexuals has come under fire from the European Commission (EC).

It has ruled that the exemption must be removed following a complaint about the opt-out from the National Secular Society, which claimed that the UK employment law exception had "created illegal discrimination against homosexuals".

Following the EC ruling, Vladimir Spidla, EU equal opportunities commissioner, said: "We call on the UK government to make the necessary changes to its anti-discrimination legislation as soon as possible so as to fully comply with the EU rules."

The government will now have to alter UK employment law by redrafting its anti-discrimination legislation.

Earlier this week, the TUC called on the government to ensure that all workers receive equal rights in its new Equality Bill, regardless of their sexuality.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said it was especially vital that the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees who work for religious organisations and faith schools were protected.

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CIOB: Health and safety not affected by recession

2009-11-25T00:00:00+00:00

Health and safety compliance has not been affected by the recession, according to a survey of construction executives carried out by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).

Around 85 per cent of respondents expressed this view, with almost 40 per cent of them saying that their company's spending on health and safety matters had increased during the last year.

Michael Brown, CIOB deputy chief executive, said: "There are some encouraging signs within our research.

"Not least that health and safety is being taken as seriously as it should be, even in this difficult time."

Almost 70 per cent of those interviewed for the study stated that they believed health and safety is taken very seriously at their organisation.

Last month, the Health and Safety Executive published its statistics for 2008-09, which showed that the number of deaths at work had fallen to 180 in the UK from 233 in the preceding year.

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Worker's death leads to health and safety fine

2009-11-24T00:00:00+00:00

Two construction firms have been fined £126,000 for health and safety breaches after an incident which left one man dead and two seriously injured.

The three men had been working on the Jury Inn's site in Milton Keynes when the 40m-high scaffolding they were standing on collapsed.

John Robinson, 49, suffered serious injuries to his leg in the fall and died in hospital three days later after suffering a pulmonary embolism.

He had been working alongside his son Mark, who was left with a punctured lung, broken ribs and vertebrae in the April 2006 incident.

The other man, Ivan Penkov, was left with serious fractures to his legs and arms, and had to spend one month in hospital to recover.

A Health and Safety Executive investigation found that the scaffolding had not been strong or stable enough and it had been inadequately inspected.

Principal contractor McAleer & Rushe, of Cookstown, Northern Ireland, was fined £90,000 and ordered to pay costs of £42,000 by Huntingdon Crown Court.

Cladder Lee Smith Carpentry, of Romsey, was fined £36,000 with court costs of £28,000.

Earlier this month, a similar incident saw construction firm Lovell fined £75,000 after a child fell to his death from scaffolding that had been left in place too long at a block of flats in Washington, Tyne and Wear.

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Carbon footprint management measures in place at new academies

2009-11-24T00:00:00+00:00

Carbon footprint management measures have formed a focal point of the design of two new academies in Sunderland.

The educational establishments, Red House Academy and Academy 360, have wood-pellet fuelled biomass boilers and solar panels as part of their low carbon design, reports About My Area.

Construction firm Balfour Beatty, which is responsible for Sunderland's Building Schools for the Future programme, employed Leicestershire firm Rural Energy to carry out the carbon footprint management measures.

The energy rooms were built off-site at West Midlands green energy specialist Armstrong.

Steve Cooper, director of renewables and sustainability for Armstrong, said: "With the advent of renewable technologies alongside more traditional low carbon technologies, off-site construction is really the only way to go."

Earlier this week, the government appointed Paul Morrell, a former senior partner at construction consultancy Davis Langdon, to oversee its Low Carbon Construction Review, which is to examine how the industry can improve its carbon footprint management.

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New NHS health and safety strategy 'will save £555m'

2009-11-23T00:00:00+00:00

A new health and safety strategy for NHS staff may save up to 3.4 million working days in the organisation, helping to save £555 million for the taxpayer.

Health secretary Andy Burnham announced that the NHS will be fully implementing the recommendations made in an independent health and well-being report by Dr Steve Boorman.

Its suggestions include a health and safety strategy focused on preventing illness, as well as making senior management more accountable for the health of staff through the carrying out of annual assessments.

Dr Boorman welcomed the news that the government was willing to adopt his proposals.

"There are remarkable examples of excellent practice in staff health and well-being throughout the NHS, and I fully support the government's action plan to raise standards across the board," he said.

According to estimates published by the Health and Safety Executive, sickness absence among the UK's 1.7 million NHS staff costs around £1 billion a year.

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UK employment law warning on equal pay claims

2009-11-23T00:00:00+00:00

An upcoming change to UK employment law could hit small businesses, it has been warned.

When the Equality Bill becomes law, employers will no longer be able to discipline staff for discussing confidential pay issues, said one lawyer.

Martin Edwards, head of employment law at Mace & Jones, stated it was vital small business owners ensured their salaries were fair to avoid potential pay dispute claims.

He added that the government had already paid out £455 million to councils to settle equal pay claims with female workers.

"Equal pay claims against owner managers could have devastating consequences and are the last thing a small firm needs in the teeth of a recession," he stated.

Mr Edwards added that the change in UK employment law would force businesses to audit their pay systems.

Last week, the Equality Bill was outlined in the Queen's Speech.

The proposed change to UK employment law will make it illegal to discriminate on grounds of race, gender, sexuality and religion.

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Carbon footprint management 'needed in the workplace'

2009-11-20T00:00:00+00:00

Better carbon footprint management is needed in the UK's workplaces, according to recent figures.

Statistics from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) revealed that employees often leave environmental thinking at the door when they turn up for work.

More than 40 per cent of people said they recycled plastics at home but not at work, with other bad workplace practices including printing out emails and not recycling rubbish.

Defra said that small carbon footprint management measures, such as turning down thermostats, could save UK businesses around £6.4 billion a year.

Rob Holdway, presenter of Channel 4's new environmental show Dumped, explained that small steps like fixing dripping taps could save companies hundreds of pounds in their bills each year.

"This is about small changes, things that you can do that are pretty much zero cost to the business that when you put them together will save you money and reduce carbon emissions," he explained.

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Health and safety professionals 'highly valued by firms'

2009-11-20T00:00:00+00:00

The majority of health and safety professionals feel they are highly valued by their companies, a new survey has revealed.

Joint research by the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and Safety and Health Practitioner magazine showed that 84 per cent of health and safety workers believed they were important to their organisation.

It also revealed that 90 per cent would recommend a career in the health and safety industry to friends.

Steve Granger, IOSH president elect, explained that health and safety work was good for businesses and for society in general.

"No health and safety professional wants to see someone hurt or made ill, particularly when this is avoidable," he said.

"We see every death, injury and case of ill-health as a tragic, unnecessary failure."

Earlier this month, IOSH complained about comments made by Sir Terry Wogan after he joked that health and safety officials should replace Guy Fawkes on top of bonfires on November 5th.

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Health and safety fears prompt prison officer walkout

2009-11-19T00:00:00+00:00

Health and safety concerns led to a mass walkout by prison officers at a Liverpool jail earlier this week.

Around 200 members of staff left HMP Liverpool following a series of disputes with the prison's management.

Their complaints ranged from there not being not enough staff to allegations of "harassment and bullying" from senior managers, reported the Liverpool Echo.

Paul Leigh, Liverpool branch secretary from the Prison Officers Association, said: "The staff here are in fear for their health and safety because of the unsafe manning levels and they're also in fear of the management."

The Prison Service said it is investigating the allegations but labelled the walkout as "wrong and unsafe" after prisoners were locked in their cells as the protest took place.

Following promises of detailed talks about the issues next week, the guards returned to their duties yesterday afternoon, reports the Liverpool Daily Post.

But union leaders did not rule out the possibility of further strikes if their grievances are not addressed.

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Green Party calls for new approach on carbon footprint management

2009-11-19T00:00:00+00:00

A new proposal for dealing with the UK's carbon footprint management has been suggested by the Green Party.

Caroline Lucas, the MEP who leads the party, said that the government should focus on a nationwide programme of home insulation.

She said that this approach to carbon footprint management would have numerous benefits for people living and working in the UK.

"This would tackle the climate crisis, as well as creating jobs across the country," she stated.

"Warmer homes also have numerous mental and physical health benefits."

Ms Lucas added that current insulation schemes run by the government often did not reach the people in need of them because they were generally funded through grants.

Simon Hughes, Liberal Democrat spokesman for energy, told the Guardian that if every home in Britain was properly insulated the resulting carbon emissions saving would be the equivalent of taking every car in the country off the road.

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BREEAM 'Excellent' rating awarded to Cornwall office

2009-11-18T00:00:00+00:00

A BRE Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) rating of 'Excellent' has been awarded to plans for a new environmentally-friendly office in Cornwall.

Work has now begun on the new head office and catering facility for Caterlink at Bodmin Business Park after it was awarded the BREEAM pre-assessment rating for its design plans.

The £1.5 million buildings have been designed for the catering firm by RLT Architects of Penzance, reports Business Cornwall.

Environmental measures included in plans for the site comprise of features such as solar shading, passive ventilation and grey water recycling.

Steve McTeare, RLT director, said: "This is a very exciting scheme for us to be working on, especially as it is going to be such a sustainable development."

RLT are also overseeing construction and project management at the site as it works towards matching its initial BREEAM rating once the building is completed.

Earlier this month, the Birmingham Post reported that the Colmore Plaza in Birmingham had gained an 'Excellent' rating for its sustainable credentials, an improvement on its 'Very Good' rating at the design and build stage.

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New UK employment law guidance released

2009-11-18T00:00:00+00:00

New guidance on UK employment laws relating to harassment and violence in the workplace has been released.

A number of important industry bodies have joined forces to work on the guidance, including the CBI, the TUC, the Partnership of Public Employers and several government bodies.

The help on the issue is being released in reaction to a new Europe-wide agreement between employers and trade unions.

It aims to offer practical advice and support on UK employment law to both companies and their workers.

Lord Young, employment relations minister, said: "By making sure that employers understand their obligations and workers understand their rights we can promote a better workplace culture."

He stated that workplace violence and harassment was unacceptable but the guidance was "a step in the right direction."

Earlier this month, figures from trade union Unison revealed that more than one-third of workers have been subject to workplace bullying in the past six months.

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Government forms new carbon footprint management body

2009-11-17T00:00:00+00:00

The government has announced the formation of a new carbon footprint management body.

Business minister Pat McFadden stated that the creation of the Forum for a Just Transition would mean the shift to a low carbon economy in the UK could actually be a "huge industrial opportunity" for the country.

The body will provide expert advice to ministers on environmental issues with its first meeting set to be held in December.

Meetings will be jointly chaired by Mr McFadden and climate change secretary Ed Miliband.

They are set to focus on how best to fairly distribute the costs and benefits caused by environmental policies.

Its formation was welcomed by the TUC, which will also have a presence in the carbon footprint management forum, along with business and consumer groups.

Brendan Barber, TUC general secretary, said: "By working together on how we create a low carbon economy, we can both create millions of new green jobs and build a better balanced economy less dependent on finance".

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Mandelson keeps agency worker opt-out in place

2009-11-17T00:00:00+00:00

An opt-out to a part of UK employment law regarding temporary workers will remain in place.

Lord Mandelson's business, innovation and skills department has decided to let employers stay exempt from the regulations, reports Contractor UK.

Under the rules, businesses must provide detailed information about themselves before they can have temporary positions filled by recruiters.

Government officials said they had found "no significant evidence" to support a removal of the opt-out clause and stated that its removal could raise "costs and administrative burdens" for companies.

The Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) welcomed the decision, which it had campaigned for on behalf of its members.

Ann Swain, APSCo chief executive, said: "If the opt-out had been withdrawn, the red tape burden on recruiters and contractors of automatically having to comply with the conduct regulations would have imposed significant additional costs".

Last month, the government announced that it was changing UK employment law to give agency workers the same rights, pay and holiday benefits as permanent staff after they had completed 12 weeks on a given job.

The regulations are set to come into force from October 2011.

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Health and safety fine for property developer

2009-11-16T00:00:00+00:00

Several breaches of health and safety laws have led to a £10,000 fine for a London property developer.

Lahrie Mohamed of London received the fine after workers at two developments in Waltham Forest were put at risk.

His health and safety failings included failing to appoint competent contractors, having no fire extinguishers on one of the sites, substandard scaffolding, the risk of potential electrocution due to cables being run through damp areas and power tools being used in close proximity to them.

The sites were shut down after a visit from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Speaking after the case, HSE construction inspector Sarah Snelling said: "As a long-standing property developer and professional landlord who owns over 100 properties in and around Waltham Forest, Mr Mohamed should have had the knowledge and resources to ensure the work was carried out safely and legally."

Earlier this month, Edinburgh Council was fined £14,000 after its workers were potentially exposed to asbestos while carrying out a refurbishment job on a school laboratory.

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UK employment law warning on Facebook vetting

2009-11-16T00:00:00+00:00

Vetting potential employees via Facebook or MySpace may be a contradiction of UK employment law, businesses have been warned.

The Law Society told companies that they are potentially putting themselves at risk of discrimination claims if they engage in such practices.

John Morris, chair of the Law Society's employment law committee, said that firms who used Facebook or MySpace to check on employees were opening themselves up to a host of potential problems.

"For example, it is possible to obtain information about a person's sexual orientation or religious beliefs that can impact, or is perceived to impact, on the decision made to recruit or not recruit that person," he said.

Under the Employment Practices Data Protection Code, employers can use vetting when there are particular and significant risks to the employer and its clients – when the job involves working with children, for example.

But social networking sites should not be used as part of any vetting process.

A new Equality Bill is set to be introduced by the government which will make it illegal under UK employment law for firms to discriminate on grounds of age, sexuality, gender or religion.

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Terry Wogan rebuked by health and safety body

2009-11-16T00:00:00+00:00

Terry Wogan has been taken to task by the Institute of Safety and Health (IOSH) over comments he made in the run-up to Bonfire Night.

IOSH president John Holden complained that the BBC2 radio presenter had overstepped the mark on November 5th when he suggested that "instead of putting Guy Fawkes on top of our bonfires… we should replace him with a health and safety official and all their regulations and paperwork".

In his complaint, Mr Holden noted that there had been more than 400 deaths and almost 60,000 injuries in workplaces across the UK in the past two years, meaning that health and safety issues were no laughing matter.

BBC Radio 2 responded with an apology for the remark but admitted "Terry does use the subject as the butt of jokes".

Terry Wogan is set to retire from his breakfast show next year, with Chris Evans lined up as his replacement.

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New IOSH president stresses importance of health and safety

2009-11-13T00:00:00+00:00

The new president elect of the Institute of Safety and Health (IOSH) has urged business to take safety practices seriously.

Steve Granger, 50, was made president elect earlier this week and, following his appointment, said that health and safety was not something to be ridiculed, considering the number of deaths and serious injuries that happen in UK workplaces every year.

"It's only when something goes wrong, that they [businesses] realise how important health and safety actually is," he pointed out. "It prevents lives being destroyed."

He is to have a three-year stint in the role of IOSH president and Mr Granger said that he was determined to disprove newspaper headlines about health and safety inspectors simply being killjoys during his time in the job.

IOSH has also appointed six new vice-presidents to work alongside Mr Granger in his new role at the organisation.

The appointments include John Lacey, a former IOSH president.

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UK employment law change needed on 'self-employed' workers

2009-11-13T00:00:00+00:00

A change in UK employment law has been called for by the Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians (Ucatt) after figures revealed that there has been a rise in the number of self-employed construction workers dying at work.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) figures showed that 20 such workers had died in 2008/09, compared to 19 the year before.

Ucatt said that each death was a tragedy and it had repeatedly argued that self-employed workers are in greater danger of being killed or injured at work.

But it added that the figures were confused by the fact that there were around 400,000 workers being bogusly labelled as self-employed by their companies for tax reasons.

Alan Ritchie, general secretary of Ucatt, said: "The self-employed and the bogus self-employed are more exposed to dangerous working practices, have no employment rights and are unlikely to be protected by independent safety reps."

He said the HSE needed to recognise the issue and take "appropriate action" regarding UK employment law.

Earlier this month, Mr Ritchie urged the government to implement the Donaghy Report, which has recommended 28 key health and safety changes that could be made in the construction industry.

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Environment Agency signs new carbon footprint management IT deal

2009-11-13T00:00:00+00:00

The Environment Agency believes it will dramatically improve its carbon footprint management after signing an IT outsourcing deal with Capgemini.

It is estimated that the seven-year deal will cut carbon emissions by about 50 per cent at the department.

The deal involves green policies at each point of the service – from the production and transportation of new hardware to the recycling of it once it has reached the end of its use.

Because of the design of the framework contract, the agency believes that it will make significant savings with its approach to carbon footprint management.

Graham Ledward, director of resources at the government department, said: "The Environment Agency is not only reducing its carbon emissions, it's also saving money in the long term.

"We will effectively do more for less."

Defra recently estimated that UK businesses could save more than £6 billion a year through simple carbon footprint management policies, such as turning down thermostats and switching off lights.

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Health and safety fine for Edinburgh Council

2009-11-12T00:00:00+00:00

Edinburgh Council has been fined for breaching health and safety regulations after 14 employees were potentially exposed to deadly asbestos fibres.

The workers had been carrying out refurbishment work at Castlebrae Community High School in April 2007.

They were ordered to remove laboratory doors and asbestos contained within the doors was disturbed when they were cut into.

Edinburgh Council was fined £14,000 in court for breaching the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006.

Mike Orr, Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector, said the council had not carried out a sufficient risk assessment before the work was undertaken.

"Although the council had carried out a survey of the premises which identified the asbestos core in the doors, there was no register on the school site and the summary provided to workers wasn't sufficient to alert them to the danger," he explained.

Earlier this month, the HSE launched a £1.2 million campaign designed to highlight the dangers of asbestos, which kills around 4,000 people a year through the cancer mesothelioma, to businesses.

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UK employment law change needed 'over caste discrimination'

2009-11-12T00:00:00+00:00

A change to UK employment law is needed to help fight caste discrimination, a pressure group has said.

The Anti Caste Discrimination Alliance (Acda) made the call after carrying out a study which revealed nearly 60 per cent of Asian people had been discriminated against because of their caste.

Its findings, which were reported in the Guardian, also showed that 45 per cent had suffered discrimination in the workplace, while nine per cent claimed they had been passed over for promotion because of the issue.

Acda hopes that its research will persuade the government to change UK employment law by modifying its Equality Bill, which is shortly due to become law.

Earlier this week, trade union Unison also called for changes to be made to the Equality Bill.

It wants UK employment law to have specific anti-bullying legislation after it carried out a survey which showed around 30 per cent of workers have been a victim of workplace bullying in the past six months.

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BREEAM 'Excellent' rating achieved by Birmingham development

2009-11-12T00:00:00+00:00

A high-profile development in Birmingham has gained a BRE Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) rating of 'Excellent' in regard to its sustainability credentials.

The Colmore Plaza had already previously achieved a BREEAM 'Very Good' rating during its design and build stage, reports the Birmingham Post.

Mark Harris, director at The Carlyle Group, which owns the building, said: "There is no doubt that this accreditation adds value to current and prospective tenants, as well as complementing the city's aspiration to compete on a national and international level."

The offices currently play host to companies such as Amey and construction consultancy Davis Langdon, which itself worked on the development project for the plaza.

Mr Harris said the BREEAM rating would help secure new corporate tenants for the Colmore facility.

Last month, the best-ever BREEAM score was awarded to an architectural firm's yet-to-be-built Cardiff offices.

Stride Treglown received an 'Outstanding' rating for its energy-efficient design plans.

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Health and safety fears lead to foam concrete ban

2009-11-11T00:00:00+00:00

Health and safety fears have led two contractors to ban foam concrete from their jobs following explosions involving the product.

One explosion occurred in Dudley, where Severn Trent had employed Enterprise to carry out roadworks for it.

A more serious explosion occurred on a Barhale job at a pumping station in Mill Green, Hertfordshire, when two workers were left with fractures to their feet and ankles, reports Contract Journal.

A Health and Safety Executive investigation is underway into the incidents and other companies are also believed to be considering banning foam concrete, which contains incinerator bottom ash (IBA), from construction sites.

But David York, managing director of foam concrete supplier Ballast Phoenix, has insisted the substance is not a health and safety risk.

"Foam concrete with IBA has been used for years, and as long as it is used correctly, in a well-ventilated area, it is a good, safe product," he said.

His company annually produces around 300,000 tonnes of IBA, making it the largest UK supplier of the substance.

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New health and safety campaign aimed at van drivers

2009-11-11T00:00:00+00:00

A new government-backed health and safety campaign aimed at van drivers has been launched.

The Van Best Practice programme is being backed by RoadSafe, the organisation that runs the Driving for Better Business initiative.

Evidence from the police and the Health and Safety Executive has shown that many van-driving firms have been turning a blind eye to regulations, something that the campaign aims to address.

Caroline Scurr, campaign director of Driving for Better Business, said: "An effective driving for work policy is not only a legal requirement under health and safety law and road traffic law, it is part of a good business culture - it makes business better."

More than 200 road deaths and serious injuries involving working drivers occur in the UK every week, making driving for an employer Britain's most dangerous work-related activity.

Last week, the Derbyshire Times reported that a van driver from Sheffield had been killed when his vehicle collided with a lorry in the Peak District.

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Health and safety breach 'led to child's death'

2009-11-11T00:00:00+00:00

Lovell has been fined £75,000 for breaching health and safety laws after a child fell to his death from scaffolding.

Seven-year-old Adam Tiffin had been playing on the scaffolding with his friends when the tragedy occurred at a block of flats in Washington in April 2006.

While the scaffolding was found to have been safely erected, it had been left standing for 12 days more than was needed, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Lovell, which is a subsidiary of construction firm Morgan Sindall, was also ordered to pay court costs of slightly more than £46,000 after it was found guilty of breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Rob Hirst, principal inspector for the Health and Safety Executive, said: ""The scaffold was only required for a fraction of the time it was erected.

"It was taken down immediately after the incident but this death may have been prevented had it been removed promptly when it was no longer needed."

He warned construction firms that it was vital they had systems in place to prevent unauthorised access to building sites.

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Midlands construction firms targeted in health and safety talks

2009-11-10T00:00:00+00:00

A health and safety campaign aimed at highlighting the dangers of asbestos is targeting construction companies in Birmingham, with a meeting to be held in the city later this month.

As part of its Hidden Killer campaign, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is visiting the National Construction College in Kings Norton as part of a nationwide tour.

Tradesmen are at risk from exposure to asbestos fibres when carrying out cutting or drilling work in buildings that have not been refurbished since the year 2000.

Around half a million non-domestic properties in the UK are estimated to contain asbestos.

Steve Coldrick, asbestos programme director for the HSE, said: "Asbestos-related diseases claim around 4,000 lives every year.

"Roughly a quarter of these deaths are people in the building trades."

The HSE is set to spend more than £1 million on its campaign as it attempts to raise awareness of the problem and cut the number of deaths related to exposure to the fibres.

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Health and safety investigation begins into construction worker injury

2009-11-10T00:00:00+00:00

A health and safety investigation is to probe the circumstances that led to a bus crashing into scaffolding and caused a worker to fall six metres to the ground.

The unnamed man was taken to hospital with serious injuries following the incident, which occurred in Lincolnshire.

He had been carrying out painting work on a tandoori restaurant in the town of Louth, reports the Grimsby Telegraph.

Inquiries are being carried out by the Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service in conjunction with the Health and Safety Executive.

Bus passenger Kat Bishop, 22, told the Louth Leader: "We came round the corner; the sun was really bright in the driver's eyes.

"Then we all heard a huge bang, everyone jumped and freaked out and we felt the scaffolding land on the bus."

The health and safety investigation is reportedly centring on whether the scaffolding, which had been erected by local company Pantha Scaffolding, was appropriately positioned.

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ISO14001-certified company helps school with computer recycling

2009-11-10T00:00:00+00:00

The Electronic Waste Company, an ISO14001-certified business, has helped a school in Cornwall improve its recycling abilities.

Truro School is taking advantage of a scheme operated by the company in which it collects unwanted IT equipment for no charge, reports Business Cornwall.

Instead of being sent to a landfill, the old equipment is either safely dismantled or prepared for reuse by the Electronic Waste Company, which has received the ISO14001 and 9001 for its commitment to environmental management.

Damian Lambkin, chief executive officer of the organisation, said: "It's actually against the law for schools and businesses to throw electrical equipment away with other waste, but of course it happens.

"We're just delighted that Truro School has made the responsible decision and chosen to recycle this end-of-life equipment."

ISO14001 is an industry standard that was introduced in 1996 to provide third-party certification for companies running environmental management systems.

Its aim is to ensure compliance with laws and regulations related to the environment.

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Health and safety fine for Laing O'Rourke following Heathrow death

2009-11-09T00:00:00+00:00

Construction firm Laing O'Rourke has been handed a £75,000 fine for health and safety failings after one of its workers died in an incident at Heathrow Airport.

Matthew Gilbert, a 27-year-old carpenter from Plymouth, died when a concrete slab he was standing on collapsed as he was working on the construction of a multi-storey car park.

The slab fell 17 metres to the level below and another man, Parminder Singh from Slough, who was also on the slab, suffered severe injuries including a broken back, a broken leg and a broken jaw.

Laing O'Rourke was also ordered to pay £75,000 in costs over the 2005 incident, while construction equipment supplier SGB Services of Leatherhead was fined a total of £60,000 due to its part in the tragedy.

Health and Safety Executive inspector Karen Morris said: "The tragic death of one man and the serious injuries suffered by his colleague could have been prevented if both companies had had more robust systems in place."

Laing O'Rourke recently started work on the demolition of the Queen's Building at Heathrow, as part of a large-scale refurbishment of the Terminal 2 building at the airport.

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Unison calls for UK employment law change

2009-11-09T00:00:00+00:00

Trade union Unison has called for a change to UK employment law after it published new statistics about the prevalence of workplace bullying.

Its research found that around one-third of employees had been a victim of bullying at work in the past six months, while 100 per cent of those that it interviewed said they believed bullying was embedded in office culture.

As a result of its findings, Unison is now calling on the government to tweak UK employment law so that an official anti-bullying policy is included in the current Dignity in the Workplace Bill.

Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, said: "We will continue to campaign for specific legislation, which will outlaw workplace bullying, ensure employers develop anti-bullying policies and aid bullied workers through Employment Tribunals."

He went on to state his belief that the Health and Safety Executive should take tougher action against employers that do not include bullying in their risk assessments.

Earlier this month, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence told companies that, by identifying work-related stress problems more quickly, they could save around £250,000 a year.

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Building aiming for BREEAM certification nearing completion

2009-11-09T00:00:00+00:00

A new £60 million operational centre for Severn Trent, which is aiming for an Excellent rating under the BRE Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), is nearing completion after the top floor and roof were completed on the 38m-high building.

BAM Construction is leading the building programme on the facility, which will eventually be home to around 1,700 Severn Trent employees.

Richard Dakin, director for BAM Construction in the West Midlands, told the Coventry Telegraph that the building was on course to become one of the most environmentally-friendly in the region.

Speaking about the environmental solutions that are to be used in the centre, Mr Dakin added: "This will include thermal adaptive cooling, biomass boilers, photovoltaic panels, solar panels and rainwater harvesting.

"These, with other innovative solutions, will provide a building with BREEAM Excellent rating, designed and built to the highest standards."

Last month, Barr Construction announced that it was hoping to achieve a Excellent rating under BREEAM for a new fish research centre it is building in Scotland.

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Carbon footprint management policies 'essential to UK economy'

2009-11-06T00:00:00+00:00

Effective carbon footprint management can help UK businesses save up to £6.4 billion a year, according to a new report.

Defra said that companies which take simple measures such as switching off lights and turning down thermostats could reduce their carbon emissions by up to ten per cent.

Andrew Raingold, deputy director of environmental organisation The Aldersgate Group, explained that training for workforces on climate change policies would be advantageous for the UK economy.

He said employees would be given the skills they need to adapt to a low carbon economy, putting UK companies in a superior position compared to their international competitors.

"The quicker the transition, the greater the benefits in terms of businesses grasping the low carbon opportunities and the workforce gaining the adequate skills," he added.

The Institute for Public Policy Research has recently recommended that the government ensures that all existing work-based training includes guidance on low-carbon skills and policies.

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Businesses warned over UK employment law change

2009-11-06T00:00:00+00:00

British companies have received a warning from a legal firm over a change in UK employment law.

Last month, a landmark legal ruling was given in a case which meant that carers now have the same rights as disabled people in the workplace in regard to anti-discrimination law.

The decision was made in a case involving Sharon Coleman, a woman who claimed she was forced to leave her job after her employers Attridge Law refused to give her time off work to care for her disabled son.

Catherine Wilson, from legal firm Winckworth Sherwood, said employers needed to consider the implications of this change to UK employment law.

She said that special care should be taken when considering flexible working requests from carers and added: "When refusing a request, employers need to ensure that they have not treated the employee less favourably than someone whose circumstances are not materially different."

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UK employment law ruling 'open to abuse'

2009-11-06T00:00:00+00:00

A human resources executive has attacked a UK employment law ruling that said belief in climate change is subject to the same legal protection as religious convictions.

Earlier this month, a judge ruled in favour of an Oxfordshire man who claimed he lost his job as a result of his strongly-held convictions regarding climate change.

Property firm Grainger had attempted to stop its former head of sustainability Tim Nicholson taking it to a tribunal hearing, but a judge said he was entitled to challenge his dismissal under UK employment equality laws.

Helen Giles, a human resources director who works for Broadway, a homeless charity, told Personnel Today that the rules had now become "preposterous."

"The way they have been drafted and the way legislature is interpreting them is leaving the field wide open for people to abuse them left, right and centre," she claimed.

Grainger, which said it will fight Mr Nicholson's claim, is the UK's biggest residential landlord.

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Firm receives health and safety fine of £65,000 after workplace injury

2009-11-05T00:00:00+00:00

A food manufacturing firm has received a fine of £65,000 for health and safety failings after one of its workers had three of their fingers crushed.

The incident occurred in November 2007 when Ludmila Jurkevica, a 27-year-old man from King's Lynn, was attempting to clear a blockage in a packing machine.

Three of his fingers were crushed by the machine and, following a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation, Tulip Packaging of Warwick was taken to court over the incident.

It was fined £65,000 and ordered to pay court costs of almost £30,000 after a hearing at Norwich Crown Court.

HSE inspector Steven Gill said businesses need to do more to protect their staff.

"There should be systems in place to ensure that workers, including workers whose first language is not English, have appropriate instruction and training on the use of machinery," he commented.

Last month, Orica UK of Wigan was fined £10,000 after an employee lost two fingers in a similar incident.

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David Cameron pledges to regain employment law powers for the UK

2009-11-05T00:00:00+00:00

Conservative Party leader David Cameron has pledged to take back employment law powers from the European Union (EU).

Earlier this week, Mr Cameron confirmed that his party would not be holding a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty if they took power in the UK, despite previous promises that they would.

But he said that the Conservatives would hold referendums on any future European treaties.

He went on to vow to push through a sovereignty bill that would ensure the supremacy of UK employment laws over those made by the EU.

Mr Cameron also pledged to regain power over a variety of criminal laws, as well as on the Charter for Fundamental Rights.

This week the long battle over the Lisbon Treaty finally drew to a close after Czech President Vaclav Klaus became the final European leader to ratify it.

Earlier this year, a referendum on the issue in Ireland resulted in a yes vote.

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Health and safety warning issued following death of worker

2009-11-05T00:00:00+00:00

A firm has been fined £100,000 after serious health and safety failings led to the death of one of its workers.

John O'Connor, 38, from Rugby, died after being crushed by a pallet machine in November 2003.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation discovered that the company he was working for, Butcher's Pet Care of Crick, had failed in its duty of care to its workers.

Employees at the firm had got into the habit of nipping through a gap in the machine to reposition jammed pallets, a move that cost Mr O'Connor his life.

HSE inspector Neil Craig said: "The unfenced gap between the stair rails had been there for nearly two years and it had become common practice for employees to nip through it to fix problems on the machine."

He added that any of the workers at the business could have suffered the same fate as Mr O'Connor.

Butcher's Pet Care was also ordered to pay more than £28,000 in court costs.

Earlier this week, a similar case saw Veetee Rice of Rochester fined £140,000 following the death of one of its employees after he became entangled in a rice silo machine.

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Health and safety warning over record UK stress levels

2009-11-04T00:00:00+00:00

Employers have been warned about the health and safety of their workers after a survey revealed that UK employees were reporting record stress levels.

The Aviva UK Health research found that 61 per cent of workers were feeling increasingly stressed and under pressure at work in the current economic environment.

Dr Doug Wright, principal clinical consultant for Aviva Health, said: "The lack of support from business leaders to help their employees prevent and treat the problem is extremely worrying.

"Stress is a serious issue and British bosses need to look to prevent it before it has an impact on businesses."

The study also reported that four in five GPs believe that employers are not equipped with the necessary health and safety training to spot the signs of stress-related illness in workers.

It was released as part of National Stress Awareness Day, which is taking place for its eleventh consecutive year today (Wednesday November 4th).

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Carbon footprint management 'can help businesses make savings'

2009-11-04T00:00:00+00:00

Effective carbon footprint management policies can help companies save money as well as aiding the environment, one government minister has said.

Speaking ahead of the launch of a new campaign by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, environment secretary Hilary Benn said that now was the time to shape the businesses of the future.

As well as helping existing companies make savings of £100,000 or more through efficiency measures, Mr Benn argued there was the chance for UK companies to become world leaders in green business.

"There are opportunities here in the UK too in the low carbon and environmental goods and services, where we currently have just over three per cent of the global market," he said.

Research by environmental consultants Wrap has found that 17 per cent of businesses believe they can make savings of more than £1 million each year through carbon footprint management and other cost efficiency measures.

Last month, Friends of the Earth helped launch a campaign to make climate change policies more central to local planning decisions.

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Stirling University to face court over alleged UK employment law breach

2009-11-04T00:00:00+00:00

Stirling University is to be taken to court by the University and College Union (UCU) over allegations that it "flagrantly breached" UK employment law.

According to the union, which represents lecturers, it was not properly consulted over planned job cuts by the educational establishment.

But university representatives have told the BBC that they did not breach UK employment law and had held meetings with unions representing staff members.

Professor Neil Keeble, the university's senior deputy principal, said: "We refute the assertion that the university has breached its legal requirements and we have held a series of meetings with the joint unions over the required 90-day period, at the end of which there were no redundancies."

He stressed it had carried out a voluntary severance scheme due to it facing a £4.4 million budget deficit for 2009/10.

Last week, the UCU balloted members at Glyndwr University over the possibility of strike action after its branch chair, Hamish Murphy, was dismissed from his post at the university.

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New asbestos health and safety campaign launched

2009-11-03T00:00:00+00:00

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a £1.2 million campaign aimed to highlighting the risks of coming into contact with asbestos.

More people die from asbestos-related illnesses than car accidents in the UK every year, with the cancer mesothelioma causing around 4,000 deaths annually.

The HSE said that contractors were most vulnerable to the health and safety risks caused by asbestos, as they were often involved in activities that bring them into close proximity with the substance.

Mike Cross, HSE north-west head of construction, said: "The most simple, but important, advice is if you are not 100 per cent certain that there is no asbestos where you are working, then don't start work.

"It is not worth the risk."

Around half a million buildings in the UK are thought to contain some asbestos.

Earlier this month, Ronnie Cadwallader, 76, received £140,000 in compensation after he contracted mesothelioma following a career in which he worked on stripping asbestos lagging from pipes and boilers.

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Welder wins £140,000 for asbestos health and safety failings

2009-11-03T00:00:00+00:00

A welder has won a compensation award of £140,000 after health and safety failings led to him developing an asbestos-related cancer.

Ronnie Cadwallader, 76, from Liverpool, was diagnosed with mesothelioma in November 2007 and told he only had around six months to live.

Speaking to the Liverpool Daily Post, his wife Ann said: "Ronnie was so fit and healthy, always running and never smoked or drank. All of a sudden he was really poorly with no energy.

"It was horrific."

In the past he had worked for two different companies where the job he had involved stripping asbestos lagging from boilers and pipes.

Mr Cadwallader's struggle for compensation was made more difficult because the two firms have gone out of business in the time since he worked for them.

But he has been offered compensation by insurance firm Zurich, which represented one of the companies, Carolina Engineering, before it went bust.

Last month, a Health and Safety Executive investigation led to Recon Packaging of Ashton-under-Lyne, being fined £2,000 after its employees came into contact with asbestos fibres.

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UK employment law change fight continues for eco-employee

2009-11-03T00:00:00+00:00

A man fighting for a UK employment law alteration to recognise belief in climate change as the equivalent of religious convictions is to be allowed to take his case to tribunal.

Tim Nicholson, 42, claims that he lost his job as head of sustainability at Didcot firm Grainger because of his strong views about climate change.

A hearing on Monday dismissed the company's appeal against an earlier decision that Mr Nicholson could challenge his dismissal under UK employment equality laws.

His solicitor Shah Qureshi said: "Essentially what the judgment says is that a belief in man-made climate change and the alleged resulting moral imperative is capable of being a philosophical belief."

He added this meant Mr Nicholson's principles were protected under UK employment regulations on religious beliefs that were introduced in 2003.

Grainger is Britain's largest listed residential landlord and has around £3 billion worth of assets under its management.

Mr Nicholson said that he was dismissed because of his persistent attempts to set up a carbon footprint management scheme at the company.

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Health and safety fine for PCT after patient falls through window

2009-11-02T00:00:00+00:00

A Primary Care Trust (PCT) has been fined £10,000 over health and safety failings that saw a partially-sighted patient fall out of a first-storey window.

Charles Preston, 68, broke his pelvis, shoulder and coccyx in the fall, which occurred in March 2008 at the Clacton & District Hospital in Essex.

North East Essex PCT admitted responsibility for the incident and pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Health and Safety Executive inspector Kim Wicks said: "Today's case should serve as an alarm bell.

"Control measures, in this case window restrictors, to prevent this risk are easy to fit and maintain."

Mr Preston, who had suffered four strokes prior to the incident, has announced his intention to sue the PCT following the court ruling.

Last week, the Herald reported that Plymouth City Council is set to be sued by student Jonathan Harvey after he fell 20ft through a broken fence on council land.

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GMB calls for investigation into 'UK employment law breaches'

2009-11-02T00:00:00+00:00

The GMB union has called on the government to investigate alleged law-breaking by employment agencies in relation to the Royal Mail workers' strike.

In a letter to Lord Mandelson, business, innovation and skills secretary, GMB general secretary Paul Kenny cited media reports of alleged wrongdoing by employment agency Manpower.

It is a breach of UK employment law for agencies to employ workers to do the jobs of people who are on strike, but last week Manpower were accused of the practice by the Guardian.

Mr Kenny threatened to begin proceedings against Lord Mandelson and his department if the claims were not properly investigated.

"GMB reserves the right, if you and your department fail to carry out your lawful responsibilities or act in a prejudicial way, to seek enforcement proceedings against your department and the government," he said.

As part of the Guardian investigation, an undercover reporter managed to get a job at a Royal Mail depot after being recruited to the role by Manpower.

UK employment law change on carers in the workplace

2009-10-30T00:00:00+00:00

A UK employment law change is to take place following a landmark legal ruling on the status of carers.

The Employment Appeal Tribunal heard the case of Sharon Coleman, a woman who was forced to quit her job after she asked for time off to care for her disabled son.

Mrs Coleman said managers at Attridge Law called her lazy when she requested time off, in her claim for constructive dismissal and disability discrimination at the tribunal.

The case was referred to the European Court of Justice, which ruled that anti-discrimination laws protecting disabled people in the workplace should also cover carers.

After the European ruling, the tribunal said that UK employment law must reflect its decision.

Lawyers believe the decision may lead to a flood of claims from employees who feel they have been similarly discriminated against.

Under the Disability Discrimination Act, it is illegal for companies to discriminate against employees in a wide range of areas, including dismissal or redundancy.

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BREEAM rating of excellent planned for new research centre

2009-10-30T00:00:00+00:00

Barr Construction is aiming to achieve a BRE Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) rating of excellent when it builds a new fish research centre in Aberdeen.

The company will incorporate environmental policies into its construction of the £11 million state-of-the-art facility in an attempt to gain the BREEAM rating.

Designed by architect Architon LLP, the Fish Veterinary and Aquaria (FVA) is scheduled for completion by September 2010.

The building is part of the Scottish government's plans to build a sustainable aqauculture industry in the country.

Fisheries Research Service, the agency in charge of the FVA, said: "An excellent BREEAM rating represents not only an energy-efficient building, it ensures, where possible, that the building offers users a high-quality working environment with natural daylight and ventilation."

Earlier this month, Barr won another construction job in Scotland.

It is to build two new Tesco stores in the country, as well as another one in Manchester.

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UK employment law change planned on 'modern-day slavery'

2009-10-29T00:00:00+00:00

The House of Lords and civil liberties groups are attempting to force a UK employment law change from the government on loopholes in the law that mean forced labour is effectively legal in the UK.

According to Anti-Slavery International and Liberty, more than 1,000 workers in the UK are effectively being treated as slaves, with many migrants having their passports taken away and being made to work without pay.

Following a debate in the House of Lords earlier this week, the government is expected to propose an amendment to UK employment law that would make servitude and forced labour a criminal offence.

Baroness Young of Hornsey, who helped carry the proposed amendment through the House of Lords, said: "I was shocked to learn that forced labour had never been properly criminalised in this country.

"All sides of the House have now recognised the important, urgent need for this offence."

Support for a change in UK employment law on this issue has also come from trade union Unite and Ken McDonald, former director of public prosecutions for the CPS.

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Call for tougher punishments for health and safety failures

2009-10-29T00:00:00+00:00

A legal body has called on the government to introduce harsher penalties for companies whose health and safety failings lead to workplace fatalities.

The Sentencing Guidelines Council has published a draft guideline proposing that fines for corporate manslaughter should be generally set at a minimum £500,000, while penalties for health and safety offences that cause death should not be less than £100,000.

When introducing its proposals, the Council said that public organisations and commercial companies should be treated equally and courts should not think about what implications a fine may have on a business's shareholders.

Council member Lord Justice Anthony Hughes, who is vice president of the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division), said: "The fine is designed to punish and these are serious offences so the fines imposed should be punitive and significant to reflect that."

Over the course of 2008/09, there were 180 workplace fatalities in the UK according to Health and Safety Executive statistics.

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Health and safety levels 'improve across the UK'

2009-10-28T00:00:00+00:00

Health and safety improved across the UK in the past financial year, according to new data released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Its findings showed a reduction of more than 7,000 in workplace injuries, while deaths at work fell to a record low of 180 for 2008/09.

Days off due to ill health and injury also fell to under 30 million for the UK workforce, down from almost 34 million in 2007/08.

But companies in the Yorkshire and the Humber region were singled out for criticism by the HSE after it was revealed there had been 24 employee fatalities in the region during the period, up from 15 on the year before.

Dr David Snowball, HSE regional director for Yorkshire and the Humber, said: "We owe it to those workers, to their families and friends, to increase our efforts to ensure that risks are properly managed in the workplace."

Earlier this year, a Polish worker in Sheffield died following an explosion in an induction furnace, leading to a £20,000 fine for Transition International Ltd of Sheffield.

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Health and safety fine for companies over asbestos exposure

2009-10-28T00:00:00+00:00

Two businesses and a company director been fined for breaching health and safety legislation after employees working for them were exposed to asbestos fibres.

Workers were demolishing a Recon Packaging recycling plant in Miles Platting in 2006 when they came into contact with the potentially deadly asbestos, which kills around 4,000 a year through cancers related to exposure to it.

Recon Packaging, of Ashton-under-Lyme, was fined £2,000 for breaching health and safety laws after it was found not to have carried out a site assessment on the recycling plant.

The company which carried out the work, Industrial & Commercial Building Services (ICBS), and its managing director Kevin Bennett, were each fined £2,000 after a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that ICBS did not have a licence to carry out asbestos removal.

HSE inspector Stuart Kitchingman said: "The demolition workers were exposed to unacceptable levels of asbestos fibres and have been put at risk of becoming seriously ill in the future."

Earlier this month, Noble Gift Packaging and A & T Roofing of Enfield received fines of £40,000 and £25,000 respectively after they colluded to carry out unlicensed asbestos removal work.

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Highest ever BREEAM score awarded to Cardiff office

2009-10-27T00:00:00+00:00

The best-ever UK BRE Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) award has been handed out to architectural firm Stride Treglown.

Its new Cardiff offices, which are not due to be completed until April 2010, gained the highest ever BREEAM award at the design stage, with an 89 per cent rating.

The building, which is designed to accommodate 50 staff in an open plan studio arrangement, will have its energy efficiency increased by the adoption of a natural ventilation system, as well as the use of a wood pellet biomass boiler to provide space and water heating.

Jane Davidson, Welsh Assembly minister for environment, sustainability and housing, led the praise for the design of the sustainable development.

She said that homes and building construction accounts for 40 per cent of the UK's total carbon emissions.

"Buildings like this are a clear response to the need to act [on carbon emissions] and provide the examples others can follow," she said.

Last month, the BRE Group, which carries out BREEAM assessments, signed up to the nationwide 10:10 campaign, a scheme that aims to get businesses, organisations and individuals to reduce their carbon footprint by ten per cent over the course of 2010.

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Carbon footprint management 'should be at the heart of local planning'

2009-10-27T00:00:00+00:00

A new carbon footprint management campaign is being launched in an attempt to persuade the government to put climate change policies at the heart of planning decisions.

Draft planning guidance has been drawn up by a coalition of organisations that include the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) and Friends of the Earth.

The aims of their carbon footprint management guidance include setting local councils renewable energy targets and establishing a technical body to monitor the progress of local authorities in their attempts to cut carbon emissions.

Andy Atkins, executive director for Friends of the Earth, said: "New guidance is desperately needed to boost green development and prevent carbon-hungry projects from being approved."

This week, the draft guidance will be unveiled to MPs at a launch in Westminster which will include a speech from housing and planning minister John Healey.

Last year, the government committed to an 80 per cent cut in the UK's carbon emissions by 2050.

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Tories 'would review' proposed UK employment law change

2009-10-27T00:00:00+00:00

The Conservative Party has promised to review a proposed UK employment law change even if it had already been passed through Parliament by the time they come to power, shadow business minister Jonathan Djanogly has said.

Mr Djanogly said that a Conservative government would have no compunction about reviewing the Agency Workers Directive, a piece of legislation that proposes to give temporary agency workers full employment rights.

Such workers would receive full employment rights after they had spent 12 weeks in the workplace under the terms of the directive.

Earlier this month, Lord Mandelson, minister for business, skills and innovation, announced that the introduction of the legislation would be delayed until late 2011 in an attempt to keep the labour market flexible as the UK moves out of recession.

Mr Djanogly told a House of Commons reception, which was hosted by the Association of Professional Staffing Companies, that the Conservatives would scrutinise the legislation if it was found either unworkable or damaging to the UK's economy.

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Health and safety fine for company after explosion kills employee

2009-10-26T00:00:00+00:00

An engineering company has been given a health and safety fine of £85,000 after the explosion of a coolant drum killed one of its employees.

Anthony Reed, 40, had been welding on a makeshift bench supported by the drum, which contained highly flammable liquids.

When they ignited Mr Reed, who was a novice welder, suffered serious head injuries in the explosion and died a week later in hospital.

A Health and Safety Executive investigation found that his employer had failed to keep him and other workers safe.

R J Bateman Ltd, of Midsomer Norton, Bath, was fined for several breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act and also ordered to pay court costs of £67,000.

Father and son Richard and John Bateman, who ran the company, were also fined £10,000 each for their part in the incident, which occurred in April 2006.

Earlier this year, Transition International Ltd of Sheffield was fined £20,000 in a similar incident where a worker died following the explosion of an induction furnace.

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UK employment law change 'could see more part-time jobs for parents'

2009-10-26T00:00:00+00:00

The government is thinking of introducing a change to UK employment law that would mean employers would be expected to offer more part-time jobs to working parents, according to a senior minister.

Full-time jobs that are advertised in job centres must be opened up to part-time or flexible workers under new proposals from work and pensions secretary Yvette Cooper, reports the Observer.

She told the newspaper that businesses needed to be more flexible about filling its full-time vacancies.

"The next stage of this, for those employers still not thinking about part-time work or work that fits round school hours, is actually showing people that it's much easier than you think," she said.

Senior ministers are also believed to be considering proposals to extend flexible working laws, which currently allow employees to ask their employer to reduce their hours, to allow workers to request more flexible working conditions for new jobs they are applying for.

Earlier this month, Ms Cooper declared Conservative Party plans to increase the UK retirement age to 66 as deeply unfair.

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Health and safety 'devalued by media'

2009-10-23T00:00:00+01:00

The importance of health and safety in the workplace is being downplayed by the media, according to the head of one regulator.

Judith Hackett, chair of the Health and Safety Executive, this week attended a special awards ceremony organised by Safety and Health Practitioner magazine.

However, she said the event, which was set up to honour those who have excelled at safeguarding their staff, would be mocked if it got into the national newspapers.

Ms Hackett speculated that the Daily Mail for example would dismiss those in attendance as the "Fun Police" and suggest that laughter would be banned for health and safety reasons.

"It has become part and parcel of the ongoing barrage of stories, which constantly devalue the important work of everyone in this room," she commented.

This echoes recent remarks from the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, which said those who knock health and safety have forgotten that nearly 230 people died and more than 130,000 people were seriously injured at work last year.

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Injury to subcontractor prompts health and safety warning

2009-10-22T00:00:00+01:00

An injury sustained by a subcontractor undertaking excavation work has prompted the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to issue a warning about the dangers of working near electrical cables.

While using a powered breaking tool, a man struck a pair of live 3,300-volt cables and needed to be treated for burns to his hands and face.

HSE inspector Dr Heather Gates noted that vital health and safety procedures had not been followed, such as isolating cables and using digging techniques that would not damage the wires.

"I hope this case will remind companies how important it is for electrical work to be properly planned and implemented. Without proper planning employers are putting workers' lives at risk," she commented.

Ineos Manufacturing Scotland was fined £1,500 for breaching the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.

Earlier this month, Manor Homes (Midlands) of Redditch was ordered to pay £11,985 for breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 after a worker was electrocuted while moving a six-metre guard rail.

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Employers get access to workers' criminal records

2009-10-22T00:00:00+01:00

A new ruling by the Court of Appeal means that employers might soon be able to access the criminal records of employees.

The landmark ruling means that criminal records can be held on police computers for as long as is felt necessary.

These can be shared with the Criminal Records Bureau, which retains the right to show them to employers or potential employers.

Anna Fairclough, a lawyer at civil rights organisation Liberty, told HR magazine: "We need a tighter rein on the circumstances when spent convictions can be disclosed."

She noted that the Independent Safeguarding Authority should have addressed the balance between protection of the vulnerable and personal privacy.

However, she claimed this is "in danger of collapsing under the stain of irrelevant information and excessive checks".

This comes after widespread media reports suggested that Lord Mandelson, minister for business, skills and innovation, is likely to delay the introduction of the European Union's Agency Workers Directive until the end of 2011.

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UK employment law changes possible after landmark ruling

2009-10-21T00:00:00+01:00

Changes to UK employment law in regards to equal pay moved a step closer following a landmark legal ruling in the Court of Appeal.

The case concerned a female Health and Safety Executive (HSE) official, Mrs Christine Wilson, who brought the case against her employer on the grounds that it was unfair her male colleagues were being paid more money for doing equivalent work.

HSE linked pay levels to length of service, a position the court ruled put women at a disadvantage if they took time off for maternity leave.

Mrs Wilson's case was supported by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), which is campaigning for greater transparency on gender pay gaps.

Under UK employment law, gender pay gap reporting is currently voluntary for companies.

But if the pay gap, which stands at an average of more than 20 per cent in the private sector, has not been closed by 2013, there is a reserve power in the Equality Bill.

It would allow the secretary of state to change UK employment law and make it mandatory for businesses and organisations to report their gender pay differences.

Earlier this month, the EHRC revealed that women in finance jobs receive 80 per cent less in bonuses than men.

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Olympic Park health and safety campaign launched

2009-10-21T00:00:00+01:00

Health and safety workshops are to be run over the next eight weeks for children living near the Olympic Park construction site.

The launch of the workshops, which are to be aimed at schoolchildren aged between nine and 13 years old, coincides with a health and safety programme for workers on the site as part of a European Week for Safety and Health at Work initiative.

Olympic Park workers will attend safety briefings and workshops as part of the scheme.

Lawrence Waterman, head of health and safety for the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), said that the Olympic Park project was one of the largest construction sites in Europe and the safety of both workers and local children was paramount.

"We are not complacent and as the big build accelerates, we need to continue to ensure that safety is our number one priority," he said.

Last week, biometric scanners were introduced at the site as part of the ODA's efforts to step up security levels at the Olympic Park.

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MPs to vote on carbon footprint management scheme

2009-10-20T00:00:00+01:00

MPs are set to vote on a motion to sign up the entire public sector, Parliament and government to a carbon footprint management scheme.

The 10:10 campaign aims to get individuals, organisations and businesses to cut their carbon emissions by ten per cent in 2010.

An opposition day motion has been tabled by the Liberal Democrats to discuss the scheme tomorrow (October 21st 2009).

The carbon footprint management scheme has already proved popular across the UK, with more than 35,000 people and almost 50 local councils signing up to it since it was launched last month.

Franny Armstrong, director of the environmental film The Age of Stupid, came up with the campaign as a way of encouraging mass engagement with climate change in the UK.

Speaking at the launch of the campaign in September, she said: "Once we have a sizeable chunk of the UK signed up, then the next step is to challenge the government to follow suit."

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UK employment law change 'not needed in the private sector'

2009-10-20T00:00:00+01:00

A government minister has said that current UK employment laws are sufficient, despite research showing evidence of racial discrimination in private sector recruitment policies.

Research published by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) found that it took an average of nine applications for a white applicant to get a positive response while equally-qualified applicants with ethnic minority names had to send 16 applications to receive an offer of a job interview.

Jim Knight, minister for employment and welfare reform, said that UK employment laws were already in place to stop racial discrimination in the workplace.

He said that new diversity and equality requirements had been introduced by the DWP in its contracts with suppliers.

Brendan Barber, general secretary of the TUC, described the results of the report as shocking and said the private sector had to improve its practices.

"Fair employment practices have become standard in the public sector, it's about time the private sector followed suit," he said.

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Health and safety fine after worker suffers life-threatening injuries

2009-10-19T00:00:00+01:00

A health and safety fine of £8,000 has been handed out to a demolition company after one of its employees fell four metres from the first floor of a building he was working on.

The incident occurred in October 2008, when the unnamed man fell through the side of the building on the Barnfields Industrial Estate in Leek, Staffordshire.

He spent six weeks in hospital, three of them under sedation.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that steel girders around the building, which had its walls removed, had been inadequately positioned.

HSE inspector Guy Dale warned businesses: "It is vital that if workers have to work at height that there are adequate barriers erected to prevent them from falling."

G Baskerville Ltd of Stoke-on-Trent was ordered to pay an £8,000 fine and court costs of £6,000 for breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Earlier this month, Liverpool firm John Doyle Construction was fined £3,500 after one of its workers fell six metres off unstable scaffolding.

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ISO14001 accredited company wins new environmental contracts

2009-10-19T00:00:00+01:00

An ISO14001 accredited asbestos removal company from Kent has won a series of environmental contracts with a variety of nationwide organisations.

Particle Analysis (PA) Group, based in Dartford, has secured inspection contracts with Focus DIY, the RAF, Safestore and Virgin Media, meaning the company will be visiting around 400 retail stores across the UK in the next few months.

Chris Miller-Hanna, PA Group managing director said: "These contracts show that as a company we can compete on service with some of our more well-known competitors."

The ISO14001 arrived in 1996 as an industry standard that specified the requirements of an environmental management system.

It is the only ISO 14000 standard that can be approved by an external certification authority.

Along with its ISO14001 licence, PA Group has a three-year asbestos removal licence from the Health and Safety Executive and several other pieces of environmental accreditation.

The company has previously worked for Battersea Power Station, NHS Trusts and Network Rail.

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Carbon footprint management 'needs more government investment'

2009-10-16T00:00:00+01:00

Carbon footprint management in the UK needs more government investment, according to Greenpeace.

Earlier this month, the Committee for Climate Change (CCC) told the government it must redouble its efforts on carbon footprint management to meet emissions reduction targets.

Last week, it was announced that businesses with an energy bill of more than £1 million per year would have to sign up to a new carbon footprint management initiative, the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme.

The government's Low Carbon Transition Plan is aiming to cut carbon emissions by 34 per cent by 2020, along with ensuring more than one million people are employed in green jobs.

But a Greenpeace climate change campaigner has warned that government policies need to change dramatically if it is to achieve the targets it has set.

"At the moment, the funds promised to support the manufacturing supply chain to help create new green jobs, green industries and new training programmes are completely inadequate," said Joss Garman from the organisation.

She said that chancellor Alistair Darling must release more funds from the Treasury to support the Low Carbon Transition Plan.

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Health and safety warning for building firms after worker is electrocuted

2009-10-16T00:00:00+01:00

A health and safety warning has been given to building companies whose employees are working around overhead power lines, after an incident which saw scaffolder electrocuted.

Ian Maxwell, 39, from Redditch, was moving a six-metre guard rail when the metal tube touched power lines above his head.

He had to have his heart restarted and suffered 52 per cent burns to his body in the incident.

Manor Homes (Midlands) of Redditch was fined £11,985 over the incident, which occurred in November 2007, after pleading guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

G. Wright Scaffolding of Redditch was also fined £5,985 for its part in the incident and company director Gary Wright was himself fined a further £5,985.

Health and Safety Executive inspector Tariq Khan said Mr Maxwell was lucky to be alive.

"This case should act as a warning to all those who have to work close to live cables such as those in agriculture, construction and quarrying where scaffold poles, vehicles and cranes are operated," he said.

Earlier this week, a similar case saw Huntapac Produce, of Tarleton, fined £5,000 after two of its employees were electrocuted.

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UK employment legislation 'to be delayed'

2009-10-15T00:00:00+01:00

UK employment legislation relating to rights for temporary workers is set to be delayed until after the general election, according to widespread media reports.

Lord Mandelson, minister for business, skills and innovation, is expected to announce the introduction of the European Union's Agency Workers Directive will be postponed until the end of 2011.

The aim of the move is to slow the increase in unemployment and keep the labour market flexible as the UK attempts to recover from the financial crisis.

Under the terms of the employment legislation, temporary workers receive full employment rights after 12 weeks in the workplace.

Brendan Barber, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), expressed his disappointment with the rumoured decision.

"Agency workers are even more in need of protection during a recession," he said.

"Vulnerable workers are always the first to suffer when times are hard."

The TUC originally negotiated the UK employment legislation agreement with the CBI in May 2008.

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Health and safety warning after two asbestos-related deaths

2009-10-15T00:00:00+01:00

The health and safety dangers of working with asbestos have been highlighted after a South Devon coroner recorded two deaths from the asbestos-related disease mesothelioma.

Coroner Ian Arrow recorded verdicts of death from an industrial disease in the cases of Michael Young, a 54 year-old builder and property developer from Torquay and Roy Capener, a company director from Kingsteignton, who was 72.

Both men, who died in July this year, had asked Birmingham solicitors Irwin Mitchell to pursue a claim for personal injury and negligence in relation to their exposure to asbestos, reports the Herald Express.

Mr Capener had been in contact with asbestos at numerous points in his working life, which began when he started working for his father at the age of 15.

The inquest into the death of Mr Young was also told that he had frequent contact with the substance in the course of his work.

Last month, an educational about the dangers of asbestos was pulled after complaints that the claimed mortality rates in the Health and Safety Executive advert were inaccurate.

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UK employment law verdict made on self-employed workers' rights

2009-10-14T00:00:00+01:00

A UK employment law verdict stating that workers were wrongly classed as self-employed contractors rather than employees has been made by the Court of Appeal.

The case centred on the business Autoclenz, which claimed its valeters were not company employees but self-employed contractors instead.

Trade union Unite successfully argued the claim was in violation of UK employment law.

It was revealed in court that Autoclenz told the valeters they would not receive any further work from the company unless they signed a contract saying they were self employed.

The decision means that, under UK employment law, the valeters are now entitled to rights such as national minimum wage, holiday pay and redundancy pay.

Unite joint general secretary Tony Woodley said: "For far too long, too many employers have tried to take away our members' employment rights by claiming they are self employed when quite clearly they are not."

Last year, Unite signed an agreement with US union The United Steelworkers to form the world's first global trade union, Workers Uniting.

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Health and safety warning for businesses on lunch breaks

2009-10-14T00:00:00+01:00

A health and safety warning has been given to firms after a survey found that around seven million UK workers do not take a lunch break.

The Spar survey also revealed that 70 per cent of British workers do not leave their desks during their lunch hour.

Reacting to the research, Jane Bird, director of operational policy and performance at Acas, said skipping lunch was a sign of workplace stress.

In February 2009, the Health and Safety Executive revealed that more than 13 million working days are lost to work-related stress in the UK each year.

Ms Bird said managers should set an example for their staff by taking breaks themselves and actively encouraging their employees to do so as well.

"Employees are more likely to be productive if they take the breaks they are entitled to, so there are benefits to the organisation too," she said.

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CBI: Businesses will deliver carbon footprint management infrastructure

2009-10-13T00:00:00+01:00

The CBI has said the private sector will be responsible for delivering the infrastructure necessary to make carbon footprint management effective in the UK.

Commenting on a report by the Committee for Climate Change (CCC) on meeting carbon budgets, Doctor Neil Bentley, CBI director of business environment, said the government needs to set out a clear low-carbon policy and then allow the market to deliver the necessary changes.

"It will be the private sector that delivers the infrastructure needed to shift to a low-carbon economy," he said, adding that some businesses had been put off making investments because of confusion over the government policy.

Dr Bentley said that carbon footprint management by UK businesses and consumers required a joint effort between them and the government.

In its first annual report to Parliament, the CCC told MPs the government needs to put in place a comprehensive delivery programme for its targets on climate change as soon as possible.

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Health and safety warning after business fined over accident

2009-10-13T00:00:00+01:00

A health and safety fine of £3,500 has been given out to a business after one of its workers got his hand caught in a pallet making machine.

The incident happened in March 2008 in Herefordshire when the machine started up without warning, trapping the man's hand which became nailed to a pallet.

Luke Messenger, a Health and Safety Executive inspector, said the incident could easily have been prevented if guards and protective devices had been in place.

"The fact the machinery started unexpectedly was an added complication, but with the proper safety precautions in place, the injured party's hands wouldn't have been able to be pulled inside,” he said.

Pontrilas Timber & Builders' Merchant of Pontrilas, Herefordshire was found guilty of breaking health and safety work equipment regulations.

In addition to the £3,500 fine, the company was ordered to pay court costs of nearly £9,000.

A similar incident saw Tex Engineering of Ipswich fined £10,000 this week after one of its workers lost four fingers after his hand became trapped in an asphalt mixer.

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Call for carbon footprint management law change

2009-10-12T00:00:00+01:00

A new carbon footprint management law should be introduced to make it illegal to send recyclable material to a landfill or incinerate it, according to Friends of the Earth.

The environmental pressure group is calling on the government to enforce its proposed carbon footprint management strategy, which it believes would cut the UK's carbon emissions by around 19 million tonnes per year.

Michael Warhurst, Friends of the Earth senior resource use campaigner, said: "The government must scrap its plans for new incinerators and provide councils with the support they need to increase recycling instead."

His comments were backed by environmental organisation Waste Watch, which said businesses were beginning to see profits could be made from environmental policies.

A Waste Watch spokeswoman cited the example of the The Co-operative Group, which recycles its office waste into toilet tissue that is sold in stores.

But she admitted some smaller firms were struggling with their carbon footprint management as there are currently not enough incentives for them to recycle more.

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UCATT calls for health and safety change on tower cranes

2009-10-12T00:00:00+01:00

A proposed health and safety law change on tower crane registration should be strengthened, according to the Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians (UCATT).

The union has told the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which is holding a consultation on the formation of a possible tower crane register, that the initiative should be broadened to cover all forms of self-erecting cranes.

Alan Ritchie, UCATT general secretary, said: "There must be no half measures or there is a real danger that the safety benefits that the establishment of a register should provide could be weakened."

UCATT said that a proposal giving companies two weeks to register the erection of a tower crane should be shortened to three days in order to promote better health and safety.

In July 2009 a crane operator at Southampton docks needed life-saving surgery after his crane fell 100 ft on to a container ship, only 19 months after a similar incident occurred at the port.

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Health and safety fine after bulldozer death

2009-10-12T00:00:00+01:00

A health and safety fine of £270,000 has been given to a company after a worker died when the bulldozer he was in fell from a crane that was lifting it into a ship.

In March 2004, Keith Webb, 53, a contractor who worked for Acclaim Logistics Ltd, had been unloading raw sugar when the crane connection to the bulldozer snapped, throwing it on to the ship and then into the water.

Sugar manufacturer Tate and Lyle Industries of London was fined after a series of health and safety failings were uncovered by investigators.

Tate and Lyle was found guilty of failing to manage and control workers and failing to provide and manage proper means of access to ships which were being unloaded.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector John Crookes said the accident should never have been allowed to happen.

Avril Webb, Mr Webb's widow, said: "Although Keith died five years ago, for me, it's like yesterday.

"My husband was ripped from my life, from our family's lives."

The Union of Construction, Allied Trade and Technicians has today called on a proposed HSE tower crane register to be expanded to cover all types of self-erecting cranes.

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Health and safety call from Network Rail

2009-10-09T00:00:00+01:00

Network Rail has made a health and safety plea to plant manufacturers and converters over the design of road rail excavators.

It asked firms to rethink the design of the excavators after statistics revealed that the machines were involved in 13 deaths and 70 per cent of plant-related accidents in the past ten years.

Steve Yianni, Network Rail's director of mechanical and electrical engineering, told Contract Journal that not all of Network Rail's needs were met by the current road rail excavators.

Despite praising the flexibility of the excavators he said there was room for improvement.

"We don't necessarily need speed of digging, breakout and dig depth," he said.

"We need more lifting capacity, accuracy and precision."

Network Rail wants manufacturers and converters to come up with new machines to match the tasks it is carrying out, which it will specify in a report by the end of the year.

Last month Network Rail awarded a £250 million contract for track renewal and replacement work to AmeyColas.

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Sustainable procurement plans launched by Tories

2009-10-09T00:00:00+01:00

Plans for sustainable procurement in the UK's food industry have been launched by the Conservative Party.

It wants to ensure that all food ordered by central government, for things like the NHS and the armed forces, is sourced from Britain.

EU legislation stops Whitehall departments buying food from solely British sources but the Tories believes the government can get round the reguulations by only purchasing meat that complies with the Red Tractor scheme, an independent British benchmark.

Shadow environment minister Nick Herbert said that some Whitehall departments would be made to work to reach sustainable procurement targets, especially given that the public sector spends around £2 billion a year on food.

"Under a Conservative government, all Whitehall departments will be required to procure food that meets British standards of production," he said in a speech to the Conservative Party conference.

Labour set out its sustainable procurement policy for the UK in 2005 and said its plans would help to tackle environmental degradation, poverty and climate change.

But Mr Herbert said he thought that Labour's failure to support local British produce was disgraceful.

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Health and safety fine for Reading Festival

2009-10-09T00:00:00+01:00

A health and safety fine has been given to Reading Festival organisers after a crane ran into power lines during preparations for the event in 2006.

Two men were thrown from a crane when it high voltage cables but were saved from serious injury due to a fuse which cut the power when the wire was broken, reports the BBC.

Reading Festival Ltd admitted to two health and safety breaches in court - failing to carry out a proper risk assessment and failing to ensure the safety of workers.

The company was fined £4,000 and will also pay more than £20,000 in prosecution costs.

But it was cleared of 18 other health and safety charges brought against it by Reading Borough Council, including that of failing to ensure the safety of contractors.

It was revealed in court that the men had been warned about the danger of the overhead lines.

Reading Festival has been run in the Berkshire town since the early 1960s and was headlined this year by Radiohead and Arctic Monkeys.

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UK employment law change sought by sacked environmentalist

2009-10-09T00:00:00+01:00

A change to UK employment law is being sought by a man who claims he was dismissed from his job because of his belief in climate change.

Tim Nicholson, a 41-year-old executive who worked for property company Grainger as head of sustainability, said his strongly held beliefs about the environment led to quarrels with other senior employees and contributed to his eventual sacking.

Mr Nicholson is now arguing for a change to UK employment law that would see his environmental views classified as a religious belief.

His lawyer Shah Qureshi, from solicitors Bindman, said in September: "This is a case that will clarify the law for the ever-increasing numbers of people who take a philosophical stance on the environment and climate change."

Grainger is challenging his attempts to bring about the UK employment law change, saying that environmental beliefs do not equate to religious ones.

The company is the UK's largest residential landlord and holds more than £2 billion worth of assets.

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Asbestos health and safety risk sees two firms fined thousands

2009-10-08T00:00:00+01:00

Two firms have been fined for causing an unacceptable health and safety risk to the public and their employees during an asbestos removal project.

An unlicensed contractor was given a contract to carry out the removal of 3,000 sq m of asbestos insulating board that was in a warehouse roof in Brimsdown, Enfield.

Workers were exposed to potentially deadly asbestos fibres over the course of the 12-week job as they destroyed the boards before sweeping the dust and debris into bags.

A & T Roofing of Enfield, which carried out the work, was fined £25,000 while Noble Gift Packaging of Enfield was fined £40,000 after it was revealed it had not carried out an asbestos survey despite knowing the roof contained the product.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector Sarah Snelling said: "The actions of A & T Roofing Ltd in this matter were unpardonable; they were told two weeks into the project that they were working with brown asbestos but carried on for another ten weeks."

In September Mansell Build of Cheshire was fined £12,500 after a HSE investigation found that it used three unlicensed contractors to carry out asbestos removal work.

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Carbon footprint management law 'will help businesses cut costs'

2009-10-08T00:00:00+01:00

A new carbon footprint management law that is to be introduced by the government in 2010 will help businesses cut their costs, according to a carbon management group.

The Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme is aimed at businesses with annual energy bills that are larger than £1 million and will be implemented from April 2010.

James Ramsey, commercial director of Carbon Clear, said that up to 5,000 businesses could be affected by the legislation.

He welcomed the scheme and said: "Our experience is that as soon as organisations start managing their carbon they start reducing it, and if you cut carbon, you cut costs."

To begin with businesses will only have to report their total carbon emissions, but from April 2011 government recognition will be given to companies which take steps to improve their carbon footprint management.

By 2020, the government believes the scheme will be saving British companies around £1 billion a year in energy costs.

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Carbon footprint management to be enforced by new law

2009-10-07T00:00:00+01:00

New government legislation on carbon footprint management is set to be introduced in April 2010.

The Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Energy Efficiency Scheme affects all firms with an energy bill of more than £1 million per year.

Joan Ruddock, energy and climate change minister, said: "The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme will help organisations to save significant sums of money on fuel bills and show that their organisation is a leader in tackling climate change."

The government expect the carbon footprint management scheme to have saved UK businesses around £1 billion by 2020, as well as providing emissions savings of more than 4Mt per year.

But the CBI has said that the government needs to raise awareness of the legislation as many firms still remain unaware of how or if the mandatory scheme will affect them.

Dr Neil Bentley, CBI business environment director, said that with fines of £5,000 for failing to register, companies needed clarity on how the carbon footprint management scheme will work.

The Environment Agency is to publish the qualification guidelines for businesses by November.

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Health and safety warning on machinery operation

2009-10-07T00:00:00+01:00

The Health and Safety Executive has warned employers whose staff operate machinery to ensure that potentially dangerous parts are suitably guarded after a pair of workers at the same firm suffered serious hand injuries.

Two different men suffered the injuries within one month of each other when working for the chemical manufacturing company Warwick International Group of Flintshire.

The first incident in December 2007 saw the hand of worker Clwyd Roberts become trapped in the rollers of a bagging machine, causing friction burns which required skin grafts.

Less than one month later in January 2008 a second man, Allen Breeze, also got his hand trapped in a roller, causing tendon damage as well as friction burns.

The firm was fined a total of £26,000 under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 for its role in the two incidents after it was judged that its risk assessment procedure was not adequate.

Last week Spread Newco Four Ltd, of Blackburn, was fined £6,000 for a similar incident that saw an employee lose two fingers in a sponge cake icing machine following inadequate risk assessments by the firm.

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Health and safety at work 'will suffer during the recession'

2009-10-07T00:00:00+01:00

A poll has found that 60 per cent of Europeans believe that health and safety, along with other working conditions, is likely to deteriorate during the economic downturn.

The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) study also found that three-quarters of employees believe that ill health is caused to some extent by the job people have.

But there was some encouraging news for employers, with 57 per cent of respondents believing that health and safety at work has improved in the past few years.

In the UK that figure was 75 per cent, a figure only bettered by respondents in Ireland and Denmark.

The survey found out the opinions of 1,000 people from each European Union member state.

Its publication comes in the build up to EU-OSHA's European Week for Health and Safety at Work, which will run between the 19th and 23rd October 2009 with the aim of promoting the importance of risk assessments in every workplace.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

UK employment law charity says 'employers must show more respect'

2009-10-06T00:00:00+01:00

A UK employment law pressure group has said employers must show their staff more respect if they want to avoid worker discontent that could harm their business.

The Institute of Employment Rights said employers should include their workers in any plans they have for dealing with the recession.

Carolyn Jones, director of the UK employment law charity, said: "You might have a shorter working week, or you might have a voluntary redundancy package, or an agreement to cut overtime - but it's by agreement; it's not enforced."

She said that making cutbacks and redundancies without proper consultation with staff would lead to an unhappy workforce, something she described as a ticking time bomb for companies.

A recent survey by human resources firm Chiumento revealed that the second quarter of 2009 saw nearly 250,000 redundancies in the UK, 100,000 more than the same period in 2008.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Conservatives propose tax breaks for employers

2009-10-06T00:00:00+01:00

Changes to UK employment law have been outlined by shadow chancellor George Osborne at the Conservative Party conference.

Speaking to party members in Manchester, Mr Osborne said start-up businesses would be allowed to benefit from a National Insurance (NI) tax holiday.

This would allow employers to avoid paying tax on the first ten people a new company recruits.

The proposal has been welcomed by the Forum of Private Business, which it described as today's key announcement.

Matt Goodman, policy representative at the group, commented: "At present, employers' NI contributions are set to rise by 0.5 per cent from 2011, just as small businesses are likely to be in a position to recruit staff in earnest."

However, he added that while the FPB welcomes Mr Osborne's idea in principle, it will have to look at what savings will be needed in order to make it a reality.

The move has also been hailed by Tom Hadley of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, who told Recruiter it could give small businesses an incentive to take on new members of staff.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Claims Helpline backs calls for comfortable shoes at work

2009-10-06T00:00:00+01:00

Health and safety in the workplace can be jeopardised by high heel shoes, experts have warned.

According to Claims Helpline, injuries incurred as a result of falls tend to more severe if the victim was wearing high heels.

Indeed, it noted that high heel wearers can be more likely to suffer from injuries such as a sprained ankle, a torn ligament or a fracture.

The organisation has therefore backed a new motion from the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists (SCP) stating that female employers should be able to wear safer and more comfortable shoes at work.

James Blackmore, director of Claims Helpline, said this could lead to fewer businesses being prosecuted under the Health and Safety Offences Act.

"Wearing high heels in a busy working environment can result in an increase in personal injuries through falls or other mishaps," he commented.

The SCP believes that lower limb disorders, some of which can be attributed to high heel shoes, account for the loss of about two million working days in the UK every year.

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Health and safety workers meet on new workplace health scheme

2009-10-05T00:00:00+01:00

A conference of health and safety professionals has met to discuss a new pilot training programme that aims to help people return to work after illness and stay in work.

The meeting saw nursing and occupational health organisations meet with Institute of Occupational Safety and Health officials to hold in-depth talks on plans to expand the role of the health and safety professionals in the workplace.

The Department of Work and Pensions is supporting the scheme, which aims to teach employers and workers how to prevent ill health, as well as how best to rehabilitate those returning to the workplace following illness.

Since Dame Carol Black, national director for health and work, published a report on the working age population in 2008, the government has brought in several pieces of new legislation related to health and wellbeing at work.

Dame Carol, who attended the conference, said: "Health and safety practitioners are well placed to take a proactive, preventative role in spotting early signs of worker distress and signposting people to additional help."

More than two million people in the UK suffer from illnesses they attribute to work and 28 million working days a year are lost thanks to work-related ill health.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

FSB calls for UK employment law overhaul

2009-10-05T00:00:00+01:00

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has called on the government to overhaul UK employment law by cutting red tape and stopping all new business regulation.

In its Regulatory Reform paper the FSB said that nearly 30 per cent of its members who wanted to upsize were being put off doing so by complicated regulation.

Half the FSB-affiliated businesses which were planning to close said their decision was strongly influenced by the burdens of regulation that were facing them.

The FSB estimates that its proposals, which include simplifying current laws and halting new regulation until 18 months into economic recovery, would create or save around 300,000 jobs.

John Wright, FSB national chairman, said: "We know that small firms want to employ more staff and the government should be making it easier for them to do so, especially as we pull ourselves out of recession and into recovery."

In September the FSB told the Labour Party conference that a further £3 million should be invested into creating a further 5,000 graduate internships to help small businesses while tackling growing youth unemployment.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Health and safety warning on cost of joint pain to businesses

2009-10-02T00:00:00+01:00

A health and safety warning has been given to businesses after a study found that nearly 50 per cent of work-related illnesses are caused by muscle and joint pain problems.

Research organisation The Work Foundation found that musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) led to more than nine million lost working days over the course of a year in the UK.

It estimated that the problem costs the European economy nearly £220 billion a year.

The report argued that governments across Europe need to take responsibility for early detection and treatment of MSDs in order to lessen the burden on health budgets, as well as improving employees' performance at work.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said that a national occupational health service should be formed and called for regulation of employers who fail to protect their employees.

"The huge number of cases shows that the current European regulations on manual handling and working on computers are failing to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders," he said.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Health and safety award for construction firm

2009-10-02T00:00:00+01:00

A health and safety award has been given to construction firm Kier's northern division after it managed to go more than one million man-hours without a lost time accident.

The record, achieved while carrying out more than £60 million worth of work, meant the company's accident incidence rate was zero, far below the Health and Safety Executive's benchmark rate of 906.

Kier Northern was given the Yorkshire and Humber Constructing Excellence health and safety award, and will now be nominated for the same honour at a national level, with the ceremony due to be held in November.

It was announced earlier in the week that Kier has been awarded a £200 million Building Schools for the Future (BSF) contract for construction work on several schools in the Telford and Wrekin borough.

The contract means Kier is now expected to earn more than £650 million from BSF projects after previously being awarded 13 similar contracts across the UK.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

UK employment law reminder as Civil Service goes retirement free

2009-10-02T00:00:00+01:00

UK employment laws regarding the age of compulsory retirement may be set to be changed after the Civil Service announced it was becoming retirement free for anyone who wishes to carry on working.

From April 2010 anyone above 65 will no longer be forced to take retirement.

Last year the Civil Service made a commitment to scrap mandatory retirement for staff below senior level, but the new announcement also removes it for senior civil servants.

Cabinet secretary Gus O'Donnell said: "We should not put an artificial and unnecessary cap on the contribution of long serving, dedicated staff."

The Cabinet Office used the announcement as an opportunity to remind employers that 65 is a default rather than mandatory retirement age and they can continue to employ older workers for as long as they like.

Age Concern welcomed the move by the Civil Service and said the government should also get rid of the default retirement age cap.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144.

Health and safety warning for smaller firms over death statistics

2009-10-01T00:00:00+01:00

Health and safety failings have meant that three-quarters of deaths and injuries that take place in the construction industry occur at companies employing fewer than 15 people, according to government figures.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) published the statistics on the eve of a conference aimed at cutting the number of workers dying in the construction trade.

Glasgow will host the Working Well Together event today (Thursday October 1st 2009), which will offer practical advice on issues such as working at height regulations and preventing falls from vehicles.

In Scotland alone last year, 11 workers in the construction trade died and more than 1,500 were injured.

Earlier this month Humax Horticulture of Surrey was fined £23,300 after a welder was crushed to death by a tip bucket in Fife.

HSE principal inspector Iain Brodie said: "The toll of injury in the construction industry in Scotland is a real matter for concern.

"Falls from height continue to be a major cause of deaths and serious injuries across Scotland."

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

New UK employment law on minimum wage jobs comes into force

2009-10-01T00:00:00+01:00

A new UK employment law comes into force today (Thursday October 1st 2009), making it illegal for restaurants, hotels and bars to include tips as part of a worker's minimum wage salary.

Business secretary Lord Mandelson said the government was closing the legal loophole as tips are meant as a bonus, not as a way of making up someone's basic salary.

"When I leave a tip I don't expect it to be used to make up the minimum wage," he said.

"This is a basic issue of fairness."

Although the move was welcomed by the trade union Unite, the British Hospitality Association has warned that the new rule could lead to 5,000 possible job losses as it may cost the industry more than £100 million.

The change comes on the day that minimum wage rates have risen to £4.83 for 18 to 21-year-olds and to £5.80 for the over-21s.

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Low carbon businesses to receive financial backing from Labour

2009-09-30T00:00:00+01:00

Low carbon businesses that use clean energy technology will have access to up to £20 million of government-backed venture capital money, energy and climate change secretary Ed Miliband has announced.

The money is the latest instalment of the £405 million set aside in the Budget to promote low carbon projects in the UK.

It will be used to help fund new advances in technologies such as fuel cells and wind, tidal, and solar power.

Mr Miliband said: "It is essential we meet our long-term climate change goals.

"That's why we're intervening with support for tomorrow's green energy technologies."

Nearly £300 million has already been allocated by the government for investment in low carbon technologies, including £120 million to support the development of offshore wind technology.

The move is part of Labour's Low Carbon Transition Plan, which includes in its aims a target of more than one million people in green jobs by 2020.

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UK employment law breaches to be tackled with government cash

2009-09-30T00:00:00+01:00

Breaches of UK employment law which see migrants working in dangerous conditions for low wages are to be tackled with new action from the government.

Communities secretary John Denham announced that around £3 million will be invested over the next two years in projects which enforce basic workplace rights and tackle illegal practices.

HM Revenue and Customs will set up teams in Leicester and London investigating the use of migrant workers, while five new enforcement officers are to be recruited to the Gangmasters Licensing Authority.

Earlier this week Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians general secretary Alan Ritchie called on the government to stamp out employment law abuses by gangmasters.

The government's money will also fund Health and Safety Executive projects aimed at increasing health and safety law awareness among migrant workers.

Mr Denham said: "This funding is going to projects that will protect existing workers through enforcing the minimum wage and by ensuring employers meet their obligations to all workers."

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Health and safety warning for businesses after cleaner's death

2009-09-29T00:00:00+01:00

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has told businesses they must ensure that they offer safe systems of work and full training to staff after a cleaner was killed in a Milton Keynes factory.

Lynda Trebilcock was cleaning out a blending machine at a Delico meat processing plant when a powered door closed unexpectedly, leaving her with severe head injuries and she died at the scene.

Delico Ltd, which is based in Hull, was fined £160,000 in Aylesbury Crown Court last week over the incident, which occurred in May 2007.

It had earlier pleaded guilty to breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

HSE inspector Karl Howes said companies need to make sure that safety features on machines cannot be overridden.

"All areas of risk need to be assessed, including cleaning and maintenance tasks, to make sure that tragic incidents like this do not happen," he said.

Last week the OCS Group, of Surrey, pleaded guilty to a similar section 2(1) breach after a worker was left in a coma when a heavy piece of machinery fell on him.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Health and Safety at Work Act anniversary celebrated

2009-09-29T00:00:00+01:00

The 35th anniversary of the Health and Safety at Work Act is being celebrated by the Trades Union Congress (TUC), which represents more than six million workers in the UK.

The legislation was brought in on October 1st 1974, following campaigning by trade unions and safety pressure groups.

Brendan Barber, TUC general secretary, said the Act was one of the most important pieces of social legislation in the past five decades.

But he warned that, although the Act has helped reduce the number of work-related injuries, more can still be done by the government to protect workers.

"We must not rest on our laurels," he said.

"The Act has yet to have a major impact on occupational diseases such as musculoskeletal disorders, cancers and stress."

He added that, in addition to the existing specific duties placed on employers and suppliers by the Act, there should be more accountability for business directors.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Health and safety trained employees put out fire at chemical plant

2009-09-28T00:00:00+01:00

Workers with health and safety training managed to extinguish a fire at their chemical manufacturing firm.

Specially trained staff dealt with the blaze, which had broken out at William Blythe in Hyndburn, Lancashire.

The company manufactures metal salts and materials such as chlorine, ammonia and sulphur are handled on the site.

Accrington fire service crew manager Steve Morley told the Lancashire Telegraph that his men were not needed by the time they arrived at the company.

"On our arrival the fire was almost out and the hazardous materials unit wasn't needed," he said.

The cause of the fire in a section of plastic ducting in the building is still unclear and the company is currently investigating what may have happened.

Although no William Blythe employees were harmed during the incident, five workers at a nearby unit were affected by the fumes.

The men suffered irritation of the eyes and lungs and were taken to Blackburn hospital where they were given the all-clear several hours later.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Warning over new UK employment law hotline

2009-09-28T00:00:00+01:00

The new UK employment law helpline set up by the government will not mean the end of workplace disputes ending in arbitration hearings, according to an industry expert.

Last week a new Pay and Rights hotline that will help vulnerable workers report employment rights abuses was launched by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

But Phil Flaxton, chief executive officer of Work Wise UK, a non-profit organisation campaigning for smarter working practices, said the helpline, although welcome, would not be the end of employment tribunals.

"So often in these situations there are two sides to every story, it's not always as clearcut when one gets down to the arbitration process," he said.

He added that helplines and websites could only be as useful to people as the information they provide.

Mr Flaxton said that many employees will have signed contracts that they will be unable to renege on if they become involved in a dispute with an employer.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Insurers call for UK employment law changes

2009-09-25T00:00:00+01:00

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has asked the government for UK employment law changes that would see a new streamlined system for dealing with work-related insurance claims.

It wants to see employers' liability insurance claims become subject to the same rules as the new system for personal injuries on road-traffic accidents.

From April next year new rules on road traffic accident personal injury claims will aim to ensure those hurt receive compensation more quickly.

One way in which this will be done is through the introduction of electronic claim forms that will mean the removal of duplication of work from the claims process.

The ABI has welcomed the changes but called on the government to revise UK employment law by extending the new system to cover employers' liability insurance.

Nick Starling, ABI's general insurance and health director, said: "It is vital that employees injured at work have the same opportunity as those injured on our roads to benefit from this new process."

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Site waste management scam sees eight arrested

2009-09-25T00:00:00+01:00

Eight men have been arrested in dawn raids for dodging site waste management regulations.

One hundred and fifty police officers and 50 Environment Agency officials targeted 12 different sites in County Durham, including a scrap yard, a skip hire company and a farm.

Seven men were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit environmental offences while an eighth man was arrested in connection with an arson offence.

The arrests were made in relation to illegal car scrapping and fly-tipping.

Environment Agency officials found asbestos in Hangingstone Quarry, near Burnhope.

Following the arrests, Julian Carrington, Environment Agency north-east environment manager, said: "Waste crime puts human health and wildlife at risk - and undermines the legitimate waste companies who do things by the book and safeguard the environment."

If convicted, the men face up to five years in prison.

This week Ross Henderson of Handy Skips, Somerset was jailed and had his skip lorry confiscated and destroyed after he was found guilty of repeatedly dumping waste material.

For further information on any of our Environmental services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Health and Safety Executive changes first aid rules for employers

2009-09-24T00:00:00+01:00

The Health and Safety Executive has announced changes to the First Aid at Work (FAW) training regime.

FAW courses have been reduced from four days to three while there will be the option of a one-day course for smaller business.

It is estimated that the revised guidelines will save businesses in the country more than £50 million next year.

Requalification courses for trained FAW first aiders will still take place every three years.

The HSE says the move followed consultation with UK employers, who recognised the need for health and safety training but did not want to release employees for four days.

Doctor Dil Sen, HSE principal medical inspector, said: "The revised guidance will help employers to get first aid training that suits their business needs and saves them both time and money."

Businesses which do not comply with HSE first aid guidelines can be prosecuted by the agency in cases where it believes there is a disregard for first aid standards or a significant risk to employees.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

UK employment law helpline launched for vulnerable workers

2009-09-24T00:00:00+01:00

A new employment law helpline that will provide advice to both employers and employees over the rights of vulnerable workers has been launched by the government.

Advice will be given on topics including the national minimum wage and working-time directives.

The government has worked with employers and trade unions to develop the hotline.

Business minister Pat McFadden said: "By consolidating the current complex system of different helplines for different issues into one single number we are making it easier for workers to report abuses and for government to respond."

The Trades Union Congress (TUC), which worked with the government to set up the scheme, praised the initiative as a way to ensure workers were not mistreated.

Brendan Barber, TUC general secretary, said that it would also mean that bad employers using unlawful practices to undercut their opposition would no longer flourish.

The helpline will be staffed by specialist advisors based in Manchester.

For further information on any of our Employment Law services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Asbestos health and safety ad banned by ASA

2009-09-23T00:00:00+01:00

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) ad campaign alerting workers to the dangers of asbestos poisoning has been banned by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

The ban came after a dispute over HSE estimates on how many people were expected to die following exposure to asbestos fibres.

HSE's campaign had estimated around 4,000 people a year were dying from exposure to the fibres, a figure based partly on death certificates for asbestos-related cancer.

But a complaint from the Asbestos Watchdog said that number was misleading and the HSE had exaggerated the danger, as the most dangerous types of asbestos have been banned.

The ASA found that as the statistics in the adverts were based on estimates but presented as definitive figures the campaign could be seen as misleading.

HSE asbestos programme director Steve Coldrick said the ruling was based on a technicality and the agency had not been attempting to mislead the public.

"Our advertising is based on the same robust statistical evidence and scientific understanding that underpins government policy on asbestos," he said.

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University criticised after health and safety cutbacks

2009-09-23T00:00:00+01:00

The University of Sheffield has been accused of putting the health and safety of staff and students at risk after cleaning cutbacks.

Waste bins will no longer be emptied on a daily basis while vacuuming will now take place in departments once every two to three weeks.

Only areas deemed critical to the student experience and income generation will be cleaned more regularly.

The University and College Union (UCU), which represents 120,000 UK university staff members, has criticised the university, which is under swine flu alert, for its stance.

UCU general secretary Sally Hunt said the health and safety of students and staff was paramount and that she was amazed at the decision.

"The decision speaks volumes about its priorities - clearly profit and image matter more than people's safety," she said.

"Staff have the right to be able to work in clean offices."

Sheffield University has nearly 6,000 members of staff serving just over 24,000 students.

The start of the new school term has seen scores of suspected swine flu cases in Sheffield.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144

Health and Safety Executive fines company after death of employee

2009-09-22T00:00:00+01:00

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has sent out a warning to employers after a dock worker was killed by a reversing vehicle.

Sixty-year-old cargo handler Brian Vince died in March 2007 when he was servicing a roll-on roll-off ferry at the Port of Ipswich.

He was hit by a reversing trailer and died at the scene.

Associated British Ports of London, the largest port operator in the UK, was prosecuted for failing to implement a safe working system for the roll-on roll-off operation.

The company was fined £266,000 at Ipswich Magistrates' Court yesterday after it pled guilty to breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

HSE Inspector Kaitav Patel said that employers in all industries had a duty to ensure workers' safety around moving vehicles.

"Workplace transport is not specific to the docks industry and many other industries can learn lessons from this tragic incident," he said.

Earlier this month Northampton firm Trackline (International) Ltd was fined £7,500 after one of its workers was killed when the forklift truck he was operating toppled over and crushed him.

For further information on any of our Health and Safety services or to find out how we can assist you please call us on 08456 122 144