Tough new rules designed to strengthen fire testing for cladding systems on residential buildings have been published for consultation by Housing Secretary, Sajid Javid. The consultation, which aims to improve building safety, will look at restricting or banning the use of ‘desktop studies’ (assessments in lieu of tests) as a way of assessing the fire performance of external cladding systems. The revisions come directly as a result of the recommendations made by Dame Judith Hackitt in her interim report from the review into building regul... Continue reading

For some employees, returning to work following a period of sick leave due to mental health challenges can be a significant milestone in their recovery. It can also be overwhelming and worrying and, even though they are feeling better, they may still be experiencing mental health challenges. As a result, it’s really important – and a legal duty – for both employer and employee to effectively manage this return. Mental health charity, Mind, offers some helpful tips on how a return to work can be managed, going right back to thinking abou... Continue reading

Nearly one in four UK construction workers believe they may have been exposed to asbestos fibres, placing them at higher risk of contracting terminal cancers later in life. And, with potentially half a million buildings containing this lethal mineral, employees across many sectors risk being exposed every day – continuing the trend of Britons having the world’s highest chances of dying from mesothelioma, the deadliest asbestos-related cancer. These are the findings of a survey commissioned by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Heal... Continue reading

An asbestos removal company, and two of its managers, have been prosecuted after forging documents in order to obtain an asbestos licence from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Greater Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard how, between 16 March 2012 and 10 March 2016, Excavation and Contracting (UK) Ltd used both forged medical certificates and forged asbestos training certificates for their asbestos removal operatives. These forged documents had been made by their Asbestos Operations Manager, David Lloyd, and included medicals in the nam... Continue reading

It is not discriminatory to set paternity pay at a lower level than enhanced maternity pay, the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has ruled, in a case seen as significant for determining parental leave rights. Judging the appeal launched by Capita following Ali v. Capita Customer Management Ltd, the EAT found that the original tribunal had failed to consider the full purpose of paid maternity leave for “the health and wellbeing of a woman in pregnancy, confinement and after recent childbirth”.  Mr M Ali had made a successful claim last ye... Continue reading