This question now being asked of us by some of our customers is to clarify when they will be able to return to work as “normal”. The government’s roadmap sets out four key steps on the way to this. Step one is where we are now, with schools and education resuming on site. If things…
The HSE website advises that a method statement should set out “in a logical sequence exactly how a job is to be carried out in a way that secures health and safety and includes all the control measures.” “Never mind the quality, feel the width.” A phrase used to persuade you that quantity is more…
IR35 will be coming into force on the 6th April 2021, but are you ready? We’ve put together a quick guide to help you understand what is changing, how you can assess your relationship with self-employed workers and what options you have as an employer. If you rely upon self-employed workers, labour-only subcontractors, or an…
Q: What is the one thing you need to do to ensure your employees work safely? A: Make it easier for them to work safely than not. When you sit down to carry out a risk assessment, no doubt you spend time thinking about the possible hazards, likely harm and who might be affected. After…
Sadly, as I write this article, the latest Covid-19 statistics that are being set out by the government make it clear that the numbers of new cases are going to remain high for some time to come. As a result of this, we are receiving more calls from employers struggling to understand what to do…
What is a Risk Assessment? It’s the process by which you consider how dangerous something is and what you need to do to prevent or minimise the harm. They are a legal requirement under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, and if produced and used well, protect your business and your…
How to Prepare for Winter Shutdown With a large proportion of construction sites about to shut down for a fortnight, I thought it would be a good idea to share some tips to ensure that they remain safe over the holiday season. Prior to shutdown, make sure that you walk the entire site, checking that…
Take Care at Work this Winter Winter conditions can lead to many increased work-related risks, such as slips, trips and falls, so it’s paramount to take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of other site staff and members of the public over this period. Regardless of the size of your site, you should always…
Let’s go crackers this Christmas! It has been a tough year for everyone, including the Lighthouse Club, our Construction Industry Charity. They are the only charity that provides physical, mental and financial wellbeing support to construction workers and their families in the UK and Ireland. Their caseload has gone through the roof at a time…
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has been extended for at least a month, as the government announces a second month-long national lockdown starting 5th November. The PM explained that the proposed job retention scheme has been put on hold so that the furlough scheme can be extended, however for the next month, the government will…