News & Articles

As you are aware, the world of employment law can be a treacherous one. Employment tribunals offer us a peak into how a company may fall foul of the law in unexpected ways. One such case has recently come to a conclusion, which highlights the pit falls a company may unknowingly walk into. The case […]

Fire door inspections are systematic checks carried out to ensure that fire doors and their components (e.g. frame, seals, glazing, hinges, closers and signage) are present, in good working order and capable of performing their intended function in the event of a fire. A compliant fire door should resist fire and smoke for a specified […]

A Permit to Work (PTW) system is a formal, written control process used to manage high‑risk, non‑routine or hazardous activities. It provides documented authorisation for specific work to proceed, confirms that hazards have been identified and controlled, and ensures that all relevant parties understand the conditions under which work may be carried out. Example of […]

Asbestos refers to a group of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals that were used extensively across the UK until the late 20th century for fire protection, insulation, and durability until their prohibition in 1999. ACMs remain common in the built environment including homes, schools, hospitals, public buildings, industrial premises, and plant rooms, and any building […]

The Employment Rights Act 2025 received Royal Assent in December 2025. The result of this is a number of changes to legislation being implemented over the next two years. The next scheduled changes take effect in April 2026, each of which are detailed below. Paternity leave and ordinary parental leave – date of changes 6 […]

Suicide is a rare outcome, but thoughts of suicide, suicidal behaviours, and exposure to suicide are common experiences in workplaces, meaning almost every organisation will encounter them at some point. A lack of understanding, stigma, and fear of “saying the wrong thing” often prevents early conversations and leaves individuals feeling isolated. Creating an environment where […]

The use of Lithium-ion batteries has significantly increased over recent years, being used to power handheld power tools, laptops, mobile phones, electric vehicles, and for energy storage. Despite the many benefits, there is a significant risk of fire from this technology, with close to 5,000 fires recorded in the UK over the past 4 years, […]

Formally authorising forklift truck (FLT) operators is a key element of safe workplace management. After an operator has received appropriate training and been assessed as competent, the organisation should issue a written authorisation confirming the specific equipment the individual is permitted to use, any operational limitations, and the areas in which they may operate. Benefits […]

A PEEP (Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan) and a GEEP (General Emergency Evacuation Plan) are both key elements of fire safety planning. A PEEP is a tailored evacuation plan for an individual who cannot safely evacuate during an emergency without support—due to mobility impairments, sensory disability, cognitive conditions, or temporary circumstances (e.g., injury or pregnancy). A […]

National Minimum Wage National Minimum Wage increases each April. In preparation for this, please see below details of the current rates and also the rates that come into effect from 1st April 2026:                                                          21 and Over       18 to 20              Under 18              Apprentice April 2025 (Current Rate)             £12.21                 £10.00                £7.55                  £7.55 April […]

Many employees are exposed to a variety of substances at work (e.g. liquids, gases, aerosols, fumes, dusts, fibres) which can, under some circumstances, have a harmful effect on their health. These are called hazardous substances and if exposure to a hazardous substance is not properly controlled it may cause ill health in several ways. Substance […]

Behavioural safety is a proactive approach to health and safety that focuses on the human element of the workplace. Its primary goal is to prevent incidents by identifying and encouraging safe behaviours while discouraging unsafe ones. While traditional health and safety strategies are essential, they often focus on engineering controls (e.g., machine guards), systems (e.g., […]