The Home Office has published updated guidance for small accommodation businesses to help ensure compliance with fire safety legislation and make premises safe from fire*. The ‘Making your small paying guest accommodation safe from fire’ guide replaces the previous ‘Do you have paying guests?’ guide. This guidance will come into effect on 1 October 2023....
Article Category: Operating Safely
New laws for venues to protect against terrorist attacks
New laws designed to step up protection against terrorism at the UK’s leisure facilities are to be published shortly, aimed at facilities with a capacity of over 100 – this could include entertainment and sports facilities within parks. Called Martyn’s Law – in memory of one of the victims of the Manchester Arena bombing in...
Gas BBQs and Gas Safe Certification
The information below is courtesy of VisitBritain. A common question during the summer season is whether tourism operators need to have gas powered BBQs checked annually and be certified as “Gas Safe”, as is required for other gas appliances such as stoves and boilers. The short answer to this is that you don’t have to...
HSE’s Fire safety in Construction – revised edition of guidance
HSE has published a revised version of its publication Fire safety in Construction (HSG168). This latest edition contains guidance explaining the need to eliminate, and or mitigate fire risks during the design phase (where practicable), how to prevent site fires from starting and ensuring people’s safety if they do. It should help businesses achieve good...
Musculoskeletal disorders – HSE webinar on managing risk
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has run a free, hour-long webinar to help inform employers on how to effectively manage the risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) in the workplace and protect home workers. To access Musculoskeletal Disorders: Managing the Risk of Manual Handling and Display Screen Equipment for Workers on Site or Working from...
New annual review of food standards by Food Standards Agency
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) have launched Our Food: An annual review of food standards across the UK, an in-depth review of food standards. It is the first in a series of reports due to be published annually, as part of their ongoing commitment to transparency and so that “parliamentarians, trading...
New product recalls and alerts site launched by OPSS
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has launched a new product safety alerts, reports and recalls site to help businesses, the British public and consumer groups identify unsafe products. The new area, which launched on 7 April 7, follows extensive research. The layout is designed to be more user-friendly and encourage the public to check the latest updates...
Update from the National Cyber Security Centre
Following Russia’s violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, the National Cyber Security Centre has called on organisations in the UK to bolster their online defences. The NCSC, which is a part of GCHQ , has urged organisations to follow its guidance on steps to take when the cyber threat is heightened. There is specific support and guidance for organisations of different sizes:...
Accommodation: primary guidance on face coverings updated
The primary guidance for accommodation businesses has now been updated regarding the wearing of facemasks in public areas. The guidance is essentially the same as when previous rules on wearing masks were in place. Specifically, this means: Staff and other workers must wear face coverings when they are working in any indoor area that is...
Indoor events with mandatory Covid checks
The Government has just published the guidance for venues and events with require mandatory Covid check from Wednesday 15 December. Below are some of the main points in the detailed guidance. Where checks are required? The checks will be mandatory at: nightclubs, dancehalls and discotheques other late night dance venues, where all of the following...