Health and Safety Newsletter: Winter 2013
Source: HSE The Winter 2013 Health & Safety Newsletter is now available: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/newsletter.htm?ebul=hsenewsletter&cr=3/jan14
Consultation to improve regulation of health and social care providers
SOURCE: GOV.UK Proposed changes to Care Quality Commission registration requirements set out basic level of care that all health and care organisations must provide The consultation asks for views on new draft regulations that will introduce fundamental standards as legal requirements that…
The lowdown on Driver CPC
Source: VOSA There’s now less than 8 months left before the 10 September 2014 deadline for lorry drivers with acquired rights to complete their first round of 5 days periodic training…
Protection for whistle-blowers disclosing information to the ICO
Protection for whistle-blowers disclosing information to the ICO. The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA) and the Public Interest Disclosure (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 SOURCE: ICO You may have seen reports in the media towards the end of last year…
Risk Assessments For The Health and Social Care Sector
The Health and Safety Executive have issued new guidelines which provide information about protecting the health and safety of care staff while ensuring that the safety, needs, freedom and dignity of vulnerable individuals are taken into account. Read more at…
WEEE
Following the changes to the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations which came into force in January 2014, the Department for Business has issued new guidance explaining how firms must comply. Read more at
New Waste Standard
The Carbon Trust has introduced a new waste standard, in the form of a certificate awarded to businesses that can demonstrate that they are measuring, managing and reducing waste. Read more at
Small Business Phone Contracts
Ofcom has announced new guidance which allows consumers and small businesses with less than ten employees to cancel landline, broadband or mobile phone contracts without penalty if their provider increases the monthly subscriptions. Read more at
Encryption of Information
Under the Data Protection Act , data controllers are responsible for ensuring any personal data stored on portable devices is encrypted, in cases where the loss of information could cause the customer clear damage or distress. Read more at
Web Defamation Act
On 1 January 2014 The Defamation Act and the Defamation (Operators of Websites) Regulations came into force. Website operators can use as a valid defence any evidence to show they did not themselves post the statement in question, provided they…