The HSE is consulting on a proposal to change Regulation 22 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012). The change involves increasing the interval within which licensed asbestos workers are required to attend a medical examination, from two years to three. According to the HSE, asbestos-related disease is the single greatest cause of occupational death in Great Britain, estimated to cause over 5,500 deaths per annum. Mesothelioma and lung cancer are the two most significant risks to health of those working in the construction sect... Continue reading

On 1 October a new legal duty came into force requiring businesses to put staff straight into a workplace pension as soon as they are employed. The start of instant pension duties coincides with the fifth anniversary of automatic enrolment, emphasising the point that providing a workplace pension is now an integral part of running a business. Since 2012, more than 8.5 million more people have begun saving into a workplace pension, while nearly 800,000 employers have met their automatic enrolment duties. The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has now la... Continue reading

Following the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy in June, the Department for Communities and Local Government has issued new advice for those responsible for fire safety in buildings, on measures required to ensure fire safety while the remediation of cladding on buildings is pending. The advice, which has been endorsed by the National Fire Chiefs Council, relates to circumstances in which it has been confirmed that the core (‘filler’) within Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) in conjunction with other elements of the cladding system on a buildin... Continue reading

In 2014/15, the ACAS helpline took about 20,000 calls regarding bullying in the workplace, and there is further evidence that this problem is worsening at work. Staff working in HR and personnel are often on the front line dealing with staff being bullied or harassed, but what about these professionals themselves? What happens when they are being bullied? Are they more at risk of being harassed due to their job role in HR? HR Advise Me investigated bullying and harassment of HR professionals to find out more. 82% of the HR professionals who pa... Continue reading

Delivering the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is imperative for business growth, continuity and stability, according to a new report published by the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) and a group of leading companies including Marks & Spencer, Jaguar Land Rover, Hammerson plc, Tetra Pak, Novo Nordisk and Keller plc. The report, ‘Towards a sustainable economy: The commercial imperative for business to deliver the UN Sustainable Development Goals’, calls for companies to adopt a systems approach ... Continue reading