Manual handling at work and risk assessments

All employers must comply with the risk assessment requirements set out in the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992. These regulations require employers to apply control measures to prevent or reduce the risk of injury to their employees from manual handling. Manual handling relates to the moving of items either by lifting, lowering, carrying, pushing or pulling.

Assessing and reducing the risk of injury

Article by Nazmin Chowdhury

Risks can be found in all work sectors and employers will be asked by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to provide copies of all risk assessments carried out. This will then be assessed by a safety representative to ensure that the employer is preventing and controlling hazards. If a safety representative thinks that there is a risk of injury then under Regulation 4 the employer must take reasonable steps to reduce the risk by: 

• Avoiding hazardous manual handling operations so far as is reasonably practicable

• Making a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risk of injury from any hazardous manual handling operations that cannot be avoided

• Reducing the risk of injury from those operations so far as is reasonably practicable 

• Avoiding hazardous manual handling operations so far as is reasonably practicable.

• Making a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risk of injury from any hazardous manual handling operations that cannot be avoided.

• Reducing the risk of injury from those operations so far as is reasonably practicable.

Microchipping made compulsory for all dogs

Article by Nazmin Chowdhury

From 6 April 2016, all dog owners must ensure their dogs are microchipped under the Microchipping of Dogs Regulations (2015). A microchip is a small electronic chip which is implanted under the dog’s skin and contains a unique number that can be read by a scanner.

The dog owner’s contact details relating to each number are logged on a central database and should the dog ever go missing or be stolen it can be scanned by the police or the local authority to make it easier for the dog to be returned to its owner. Therefore it is absolutely vital that the owner takes responsibility for updating their details with the database should their circumstances change. 

If the police or the local authority find a dog without a microchip, assuming that the owner of the dog in question can be located, the owner will be given a time limit of 21 days to get their dog microchipped. If they still fail to comply with the law, they will face a fine of up to £500 per dog.

If you have not already had your pet microchipped and would like to seek advice please contact me on 01992 422128 or email nazmin@ghslaw.co.uk

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www.gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk

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Tel: 01992 422 128

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Email: info@gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk
The contents of this article are intended for general information purposes only and shall not be deemed to be, or constitute legal advice. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of this article.

Is rugby now too dangerous for children?

There has been a recent rise of head injuries in children which occur as a result of injuries suffered during contact sport in school. The UK Government has selected rugby as a sport it will be focusing on to increase the prominence of competitive sport in schools.

More than 70 health experts around the country have written to the Government urging a ban on tackling in school rugby matches due to the high rate of injury. These injuries may include fractures, spinal injuries and head injuries which could have long term consequences for children.

Article by
Nazmin Chowdhury

Each year around 700,000 people are admitted into hospital with a head injury in England and Wales and many other head injuries go undetected. This has been a cause of worry as children are more likely to sustain head injuries due to their active nature, particularly those who play contact sport. 

What symptoms to look out for

Signs of a brain injury after a blow to the head include:

·         Brief loss of consciousness

·         Memory loss

·         Disturbance of vision

·         Confusion

If your child has suffered a head injury whilst playing sports at school, please do not hesitate to contact me on 01992 422128 or email nazmin@ghslaw.co.uk

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www.gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk

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Tel: 01992 422 128

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Email: info@gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk
The contents of this article are intended for general information purposes only and shall not be deemed to be, or constitute legal advice. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of this article.

Attending court as a witness

A witness is someone who can provide evidence relevant to a case being dealt with in court. 

Before the trial of the case, you may be contacted by legal representatives of the party who wish to call you as a witness. They may wish to obtain a written statement from you about what you have seen, heard or otherwise observed something that may assist the court in deciding a case.

If you have been asked to attend court to give evidence, you may claim a fixed amount of expenses:

Article by
Nazmin Chowdhury

The expenses you can claim are as follows:

• Travelling expenses to and from the court – the standard or second class fare for bus and train fares.
• Travel by motor vehicle is paid at a rate of 25p per mile.
• Exceptional costs such as taxi fares are allowed in circumstances where this was the only form of transport available or if a witness is disabled or infirm.
• Allowance for refreshments and meals -  £2.25 for up to 5 hours, or £4.50 for 5 to 10 hours.
• Claims can be made for loss of earnings for witnesses who are employed or self-employed - £33.50 for up to 4 hours, or £67 for longer (£42.95 or £85.90 if you’re self-employed).
• There are no childcare facilities at court buildings so witnesses can claim expenses for childcare and babysitting at a fixed rate of £67.00 per day.

(Please note that this may be subject to changes and further information can be found on http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/assets/uploads/files/Attachment%201.pdf)

Do you know your rights with redundancy payments?

Being made redundant is a worrying process and an area that can be difficult to understand. 

If you have worked for your employer for two years or more then you would qualify for redundancy pay. The amount you will receive is based on age and length of service. 

If you are:

- Under 22, you would receive half-a-week’s pay for each full year you have worked 

- Over 22 and under 41, you would receive one week’s pay for each full year service 

- Over 41 or older, you would receive one-and-a-half weeks’ pay for each full year 

Article by Nazmin Chowdhury

For Statutory Redundancy Pay, the maximum number of years is capped at 20 years for calculating the amount payable. The maximum payable per week is capped at £475, which means the maximum statutory redundancy payable is £14,250. 

Garden House Solicitors have successfully represented many people who have been made redundant. If your employer has consulted you in a possible redundancy situation and you wish to seek advice, please contact Garden House Solicitors on 01992 422128 or email Nazmin@ghslaw.co.uk

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www.gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk

---

Tel: 01992 422 128

---

Email: info@gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk
The contents of this article are intended for general information purposes only and shall not be deemed to be, or constitute legal advice. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of this article.