Back in 2011, an independent review of UK health and safety legislation recommended that some self-employed workers should be exempt from health and safety laws. The government agreed to implement this change, and it's not hard to see why - after all, why should a self-employed writer who works from home be bound by the same regulations as a factory owner with a hundred employees to look after?
The new law comes into effect next month, meaning that, as of 1 October 2015, some self-employed people will be exempt from health and safety law.
Now, our self-employed readers are probably clapping their hands with glee at this point, but we must stress that this relaxation does not apply to all self-employed individuals. You're still bound by all the usual health and safety laws if:
- You employ others
- Your work poses any kind of risk to the health and safety of other people
Let's look at those two caveats in a little more detail.
If you employ others
The forthcoming change only affects people who are self-employed with no other employees of their own. Some business owners may describe themselves as 'self-employed', but in the eyes of the law, these individuals will still have a duty to ensure the health and safety of any workers they themselves employ (e.g. by delivering the appropriate training and displaying the correct safety signs around the workplace).
If your work poses a risk to others
This one is a little more subjective, but generally, you should be aware of whether or not your work puts anybody else's health and safety at risk. For example, most writers, graphic designers, and accountants will be able to count themselves exempt from October onwards, whereas gas engineers and asbestos removal experts will obviously still have to observe health and safety regulations, even if they don't employ any other workers.
If you're self-employed and you're not sure whether or not you'll be affected by this change, the Health and Safety Executive's website has a great article that should help you to work it out - click here to read it. And remember, if you are still bound by health and safety legislation, Label Source supply all the signs, labels, and tags you need to fulfil your legal responsibilities!
When it comes to asset labels, we at Label Source offer our customers a lot of different options. Whether you want the full package or just the basics, our design team can accommodate you - here's a quick rundown of what we're able to offer:
If all you need is your company name and a serial number or barcode, that's not a problem - our plain text asset labels are cost-effective and available in a variety of materials, including tamper-evident polyester for added security.
Want to add a bit of colour to your asset tags? Our labels can be supplied in a range of colours, including red, blue, green, and several others; this allows you to match your asset labels to your company's established branding and colour scheme.
Of course, if brand consistency really matters to you and your company, you may wish to make use of our full design service. We can create an asset label design that incorporates your company name and logo, as well as practically any colour combination you specify.
Click here to browse our full range of asset marking products, or try creating your own with our Asset Tag Builder. If you need a full design for your asset labels, please email our design team on info@labelsource.co.uk.
Laboratories can be hazardous places. If you work in a lab environment, you probably already know how important it is to display the correct chemical warning signs in high-risk areas; for everyone else, here are a few common examples:
- If corrosive materials are in use, a safety sign should be put in place to identify the hazard and remind workers of the need for hand protection.
- Some substances can emit dangerous fumes. Laboratories that use these materials should have the appropriate safety sign clearly displayed in an appropriate location.
- If there is a heightened risk of chemical spillage in your lab, you may wish to put up an information notice that tells people what to do in the event of a spill.
Other common laboratory hazards include oxidising agents, toxic/poisonous chemicals, hazardous waste, and irritants. It is recommended that site owners carry out a comprehensive risk assessment of the laboratory and all other work areas, then take the necessary action to make the premises as safe as possible. This could mean a complete overhaul of facilities and work processes, or it could be as simple as putting up a safety sign.
Label Source offer an extensive range of chemical warning signs for laboratories and other hazardous environments. If you cannot find the sign or label that you are looking for, feel free to email info@labelsource.co.uk and we will do our best to meet your requirements.
Earlier this week, a man named Alan Dykes was sentenced to eight months in prison and ordered to pay £7,660 in costs. His crime? Failing to prevent people from being exposed to asbestos.
Mr Dykes - who owned a building that was rented out to businesses as office space - pleaded guilty to five health and safety breaches at Bristol Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Health and safety inspectors had previously observed "blocked fire exits" and "serious electrical hazards" in Alan Dykes's building, but perhaps the most damning black mark against his name concerned his "failing to manage asbestos to prevent occupants and visitors breathing in fibres".
In case you're unfamiliar with the hazards of asbestos, here are a few facts and figures for you:
- Exposure to asbestos fibres can lead to a number of life-threatening diseases, including mesothelioma and lung cancer.
- Most asbestos-related diseases develop slowly, and are often incurable by the time they are diagnosed.
- According to the HSE, asbestos kills rougly 5,000 workers ever year.
The use of asbestos has been completely banned in the UK since December 2003, but it still turns up all over the country, often in surprising places (such as schools, underground, and even Buckingham Palace!)
Dealing with asbestos
If asbestos is discovered in a building, the affected area should be cordoned off using asbestos warning tape to prevent people from being exposed to the fibres.
Additionally, warning signs should be put up to warn of the danger and remind everyone that asbestos must not be disturbed except by qualified individuals wearing the appropriate PPE.
Until the asbestos has been removed by trained professionals, all other people should be prohibited from entering the affected area.
If there is asbestos on your premises and you fail to do anything about it, you could end up facing a hefty fine or even time in jail. Don't let yourself end up like Alan Dykes - make sure your workplace is free from asbestos and safe for all who use it!
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Slips and trips were the single most common cause of major workplace injuries in Britain last year. Just under 2% of all UK workers were injured in a slip or trip over the course of 2014, with an estimated 986,000 working days lost in total throughout the year.
Clearly, more must be done to prevent slips and trips in the workplace. If you're a business owner, you can do your part by putting up a trip hazard sign wherever you and your employees are at risk of slipping, tripping or falling; common trip hazards include:
- Steps and uneven surfaces
- Trailing cables or wires
- Loose floorboards/carpeting
- Dimly-lit areas
- Any other obstacles that might cause an accident
Visit our Trip Hazard Signs department to browse our full range of safety signs relating to slips, trips and falls. Alternatively, if you can't find the trip hazard sign you're looking for, feel free to contact Label Source and we'll do our best to meet your requirements.
