Changes to DVLA medical certification The government has implemented more changes to medical certification processes, with DVLA medical questionnaires now able to be certified by a broad range of healthcare professionals. The changes, which became effective on the 20th July, enable healthcare professionals other than doctors to complete DVLA medical questionnaires. This is relevant for […]
Long Covid could be a disability An Employment Tribunal has decided that Long Covid may be a disability, which highlights to employers how the Equality Act 2010 can be applied. The case in question (Mrs H Matthews v Razors Edge Group Ltd) was held in November 2021 and, following further representations, has just been finalised
Pregnant workers law changed The law says that employers must provide safe working environments and manage risks to the health and safety of workers. This includes women of childbearing age. Employers have always been required to conduct a general workplace risk assessment. However, the HSE has issued updated guidance to clarify that all employers must
More professionals can issue fit notes The government has introduced new laws to extend the number of healthcare professionals that can issue fit notes. The change is intended to ease pressure on GPs. Currently only doctors can issue fit notes. This sometimes causes delays in certifying absences from work. From July 1st a much greater
Supporting positive mental health at work Mental Health Awareness Week brought a much-needed spotlight to the biggest cause of absence in the UK. Some research suggests the total cost of mental health problems to the UK economy is £34.9Bn. Other studies show that 1 in 4 people will experience a period of psychological ill health at some point. Before the pandemic
HSE launches online musculoskeletal risk assessment tools The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has launched free musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) risk assessment tools for businesses. Every business with more than 5 employees is obliged to carry out risk assessments. They are also sometimes recommended by occupational health professionals as step for businesses to consider. The free
PPE laws have changed The laws that businesses must follow when providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for employees changed on the 6th April 2022. The law changed to extend the scope of PPE provision that employers must provide. What changed? Previous PPE laws (PPER 1992) placed a duty on employers to ensure that suitable PPE was provided to employees who may have
Fit notes law has changed The government has extended the time after which employees must provide proof of sickness (using fit notes) from 7 to 28 days. The change in the law has been made on a temporary basis, to free up GP time and help the nationwide vaccination campaign. Fit notes and proof of sickness Employees must
Paranoid delusions may not be a disability The Court of Appeal determined last week that an employee who suffered from paranoid delusions did not have a disability. In the case, an employee at Bury Street Capital began suffering from paranoid delusions in 2013. The employee started believing he was being spied upon by a Russian
Firm fined £40,000 after failing to conduct health surveillance A civil engineering firm based in Wakefield has been fined after seven workers contracted Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) because of their work. Family-owned firm Peter Duffy Limited employs 190 people working on infrastructure projects, mostly in the North of England. The business pleaded guilty to breaching