Health and Safety Articles

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

We also have a back catalogue of articles covering topics that have shaped the health and safety legal framework that it is today.

We would recommend taking time out to read through some of the previous articles to remind yourself of the important health and safety landmarks that will still have an effect on your company today.

Corporate Manslaughter 6 years on...

Safetynett (UK) first reviewed The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 in the December 2007 article entitled 'Getting ready for Corporate Manslaughter'. The article heralded that the true impact of the new Bill would take time to unfold, with less than 15 cases expected to be heard in the first 12 months.

In fact, it was significantly less than 15 cases (only 5 cases to date) and it has certainly taken time for the Act to assert the key benefits it was intended for.

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Fee for Intervention (FFI) – Paying for the Privilege!

The 1 October 2012 marked the date when Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Inspectors were legally imposed to recover costs incurred when they have identified that a company has made a material breach of health and safety law.

The Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations 2012 allow HSE inspectors to charge the considerable rate of £124 an hour (2012/13 blended rate and subject to the circumstance) to perform their investigations.

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The Influence of Risk Perception

Risk perception is, in general, a subjective term. What one person may view as high risk, another may view as an acceptable level of risk.

As such, the art of assigning the level of risk associated with a hazard can be extremely complex. These contrasting views can spark intense debate over the qualification of whether a control measure is ‘reasonably practicable’ in relation to the risk of a hazard.

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Tougher Penalties - The only way is up!

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

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

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Positive Organisational Culture - The DNA of a Productive Workforce

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

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Managing health and safety in a "compensation culture"

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

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