Blogs
HSE reveals improvement in workplace health and safety
The Health and Safety Executive has released its latest health and safety statistics. Workers in England could be surprised that although 142 workers died in workplace accidents during the 2014-15 provisional year, this figure is down from the previous five years. Also, 76,000 work injuries were rep....
Thousands of knock-off bicycle parts sold online
The problem of counterfeit bicycle parts was highlighted following an accident involving a cyclist after the carbon fibre handlebars he had purchased online snapped while he was biking. Consumers in Harlow may be tempted to purchase bargain priced goods on Internet sites such as eBay. However, they ....
Legal highs and alcohol misuse – Management within the workplace
Acas has just issued guidance on the recognition and management of the use of legal highs and alcohol in the workplace and its connected impact. Statistics show that alcohol is the cause of 5% of all sickness absence recorded within the workplace. The cost of alcohol excesses and misuse for emplo....
Flexible Working – Can you have your cake and eat it too?
As a nation we are supposedly moving towards a more family friendly and flexible attitude regarding working hours, working patterns and place of work. This is evidenced by the introduction of Shared Parental Leave (SPL) in April 2015 and the announcement that the Conservative Party will consult on t....
The Rules of ‘Social’ Engagement – The Christmas Party
The festive period is a whirlwind of lunches, get-togethers and ultimately, the work Christmas party. This can be a troublesome time for employers as they struggle to gauge a balancing act between Mr Christmas and Scrooge. The organising and planning of the Christmas party can be utterly stressfu....
Hoverboard toy explodes while charging
A novelty hoverboard toy that is expected to be a hot buy for Christmas exploded while it was being charged at a home in Kent. The explosion caused £25,000 of damage to the house after the owners plugged the toy to charge up in their kitchen. Families in Essex and across the U.K. have been urged to....
Safety warning affects millions of tumble dryers
Owners of millions of tumble dryers have been warned after an investigation found that they may pose a fire risk. The potentially dangerous appliances, marketed under the brand names of Indesit, Hotpoint and Creda, have been sold for eleven years, since April 2014, and were still being offered in st....
Lung Cancer Awareness month – November 2015
November was Lung Cancer Awareness month. Lung cancer remains the world's biggest cancer killer, and 44,500 people are diagnosed with the condition every year in the UK. Although rates continue to fall amongst men, it is alarming to note that rates in women are rising. According to the most recen....
Further recalls of cars with faulty airbags
The latest vehicle recall by car manufacturer Toyota is another blow for the company that produced the faulty airbags that have been installed in several makes of cars all over the world. Essex motorists may be aware of the well-publicised stories concerning the defective airbags produced by the Jap....
Dangers of working from height in the UK
People in Essex who work high above the ground understand the dangers the work involves. While there have been several safety advancements in the past 40 years, a fair number of people are still seriously injured or killed due to falling at work. The Work at Height Regulations control the types o....
Medical negligence results in father’s death
The death of a father of five following his surgery at River Hospital in Sawbridge was ruled by the court to be the result of medical negligence. His wife gave a written statement describing the close relationship he had with their children, especially with their youngest daughter who is diagnosed w....
Reports of Vauxhall Zafira recall
Vauxhall is investigating instances where some of its Zafira models have suddenly caught fire. Reports indicate that, in some instances, drivers have had to pull over while driving and jump from their burning vehicle. Hundreds of thousands of Vauxhall Zafiras have been sold in Essex and across the U....
