The hazards presented by Portable electrical appliances in your workplace should be assessed using normal risk assessment techniques.  A robust maintenance program can be achieved by a combination of the three following actions: Checks by the user Visual inspection by a person appointed to do this Combined inspection and tests by a competent person or contractor ..read more

Consent is a key part to bespoke, person–centred care delivery, without it, you simply aren’t providing a person-centred service. That said, consent is not always a straightforward process, there are other factors such as Mental Capacity to consider. Evidencing consent For our service users How can we support staff to ensure that consent to care/support happens? What can providers do to monitor the evidence of consent ..read more

This month Neil Hughes-Hutchings, Head of Health and Safety at AfterAthena, embarks on the journey that is ESG - Environmental, Social and Governance.  We can say it is a collective term for an organisation’s impact on the environment and society as well as how the organisation is governed in terms of leadership, pay, audits and internal control and processes.  ..read more

This episode looks at the term Reasonably Practicable, what it means and Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and reasonably practicable ..read more

This month, Head of Health and Safety at AfterAthena, Neil Hughes‑Hutchings, looks at updated guidance on fire safety responsibilities under section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022, which come into force from 1st October 2023.  ..read more

This episode looks specifically at one of the new safe environments quality statements under the key question of safe.  ..read more

This episode looks specifically at the importance of Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans or PEEPs and the recommendations under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  ..read more

This episode explores temperature in the workplace, looking specifically at thermal comfort and what the law states about temperatures in the workplace. There are also tips for keeping cool and reasonable adjustments that can be considered ..read more

The next in our difficult conversations series, this episode explores what to do when an employee is underperforming, including the use of personal improvement plans and the formal stages of the capability procedure.  ..read more

This episode explores workplace violence, particularly the warning signs to look out for and how to prevent and reduce the risk of workplace violence occurring. It's important that employees are also provided with the right information and training to support them should they encounter workplace violence firsthand ..read more