Fined for Health and Safety Work at Height Breach

A home improvement company has been fined for breaching health and safety laws after one of their workers was spotted working on the roof of a house with nothing to prevent him falling off.

The Northwest Company pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, by failing to take sufficient measures to prevent a fall from a roof.

The employee was spotted working on the roof of a house where he was standing on a temporary platform with no guardrail in place to prevent him from falling. The case was heard and the court ordered the Northwest Company to pay a £5,000 fine and £2,274 in costs.

Alastair Hall, Head of Health and Safety at Citation, said “Falls from height are one of the biggest reason for serious and fatal injuries in the workplace each year. Appropriate risk assessments must be undertaken by employers for employees who are working from height. Failure of the employer to implement the necessary safety measures can be fatal and employers need to know their responsibilities”

Citation provide all the necessary documentation, updates and support to ensure its clients are aware of their responsibility when it comes to employees who are working from height.  Citation clients have access to a 24/7 helpline where they can receive advice on any aspect of the regulations for working from height.

If you are worried that your business is not properly conforming to health and safety regulations, then a consultant from health and safety specialists Citation could help.

Operating throughout the UK since 1995, Citation provides professional advice and compliance packages to business clients. Independently endorsed at the highest level its market leading services provide guaranteed protection in the high risk areas of employment law and health & safety regulations.

For more information about Citation and the services they provide, visit the Citation website at http://www.citation.co.uk/.

This release is for guidance only.

Ref: CHS-HS-27910

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Operating throughout the UK since 1995, Citation provides professional advice on employment law and health & safety packages to business clients. Independently endorsed at the highest level and winner of The Queens Award for Enterprise, its market leading services provide guaranteed protection in the high risk areas of employment law and health & safety regulations.

http://www.citation.co.uk

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EU plans to change maternity rights could cost SMEs dearly

UK businesses could be hit with a £2.5 bn annual bill under the recent EU plans to change maternity rights.

The scheme which is due to be voted on in October, would mean employers would be required to pay new mothers 20 weeks full pay. This would almost treble the cost of maternity pay paid by UK businesses.

Women on maternity leave within the UK currently receive the first 6 weeks at 90% pay followed by 33 weeks on £124.88 a week. The increase in payments would hit small to medium sized business dearly, particularly when trading conditions are still tough.

Andrea O’Hare, Head of Personnel & Employment Law at Citation, says “This proposal could lead to a rise in discrimination in the workplace towards women of a particular child bearing age. Employers may choose against such candidates when recruiting because of the additional financial costs they would incur should the woman fall pregnant.”

Citation ensures its clients are updated should any changes in legislation (such as the EU changes to maternity rights) take place ensuring they are meeting the necessary legal requirements. Citation’s employment law compliance solutions provide SMEs with 24/7 advice relating to any issue and provide ongoing support to deal with issues they face.

For more information about Citation and the services they provide, visit the Citation website at http://www.citation.co.uk/.

This release is for guidance only.

Ref: CEL-HS-17910