Redundancy Consultation
Did a failure to consult with the workforce, in relation to redundancy proposals at a formative stage, render a later dismissal unfair?Yes, held the Employment Appeal Tribunal in Joseph de Bank Haycocks v ADP RPO UK Limited. The Claimant (and the wider workforce) were not consulted about redundancy proposals before pooling and scoring took place. The criteria for selection, and the Claimant’s own scores, were not provided to him before his dismissal. This information...
National Minimum Wage Increase
Yesterday the Government announced that it has accepted the Low Pay Commission’s recommendations on minimum wage rates to apply from 1 April 2024. This is the largest ever increase to the minimum wage in cash terms. The National Living Wage will apply to all workers aged 21 and over for the first time (previously applying only to those aged 23 and over). The annual increases to the minimum wage and national living wage with...
What will changes to the UK flexible working regime mean for employers?
Changes to the UK’s statutory regime for flexible working have been in discussion for several years, but reforms are now coming. Improving flexibility for the modern working environment has been on the agenda for many years, and the flexible working movement gained further momentum following COVID-19 lockdowns, with developments in technology making remote working much easier for many. What changes will the Act introduce? The Act, which is expected to come into force...
Case Study – Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Surprise Visit
Businesses across Great Britain are subject to surprise inspections by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Site inspections are carried out, checking that employers and workers know the risks, plan their work and are using the right health and safety controls. A small engineering company (8-10 employees) whose primary activities are the use of lathes, milling machines and cutting and welding equipment was subject to such a visit. The Health and Safety...
HSE inspection campaign highlights dangers from metalworking fluids
Businesses are being warned to make sure their staff are safe when working with metalworking fluids or coolants. It’s a highly technical, specialist field applying precision engineering – but can also cause harm to the lungs and skin. Past inspections by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have uncovered poor performance around control of metalworking fluids in businesses that use computer numerical control (CNC) machines. Manufacturing businesses should implement control measures and...
Safety Focused Newsletter
This edition of the Safety Focused newsletter provides employees with guidance on minimising amputation hazards and ensuring respiratory protection. Click the link to read more. Contact us on 0871 22 616 22 to see how we can help your business. ...
HSE Prosecution Case Study
Click on the video to see how a company was fined £1 million for an unsafe work equipment violation. At Crownford we can help keep your employees safe and your business safe from HSE fines, contact us today on 0871 22 616 22 to see how we can help you! ...
HSE Cornerstones – September 2023
This edition of HSE Safety Cornerstones features an article about managing workplace stress. Contact us on 0871 22 616 22 to see how we can help your business. ...
Company and director fined by Health & Safety Executive for putting workers at risk
A West Midlands engineering company and its managing director have been fined for failing to protect their workers from welding fume. HSE inspectors found the company had failed to put in place appropriate precautions to control the exposure of mild steel welding fume from metal inert gas (MIG) welding taking place at the site. Breathing in welding fume can lead to asthma, pneumonia and lung cancer. The company could have sustained compliance with...
Company fined £3m following HSE investigations
A waste management firm has been fined a total of £3 million following the deaths of two workers in separate incidents. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated both incidents and subsequently prosecuted Valencia Waste Management Limited, formerly known as Viridor Waste Management Limited. A HSE investigation found it was not custom and practice at Valencia Waste Management Limited’s Earls Barton site for bales to be loaded onto lorries by fork...