Menopause in the workplace and the law: why menopause is not a protected characteristic, how sex, age and disability discrimination protect workers, when symptoms count as a disability, reasonable adjustments, risk assessment, flexible working, harassment, and the menopause action plans due to become mandatory for large employers.
Lockout tagout (LOTO) and UK law explained: why no UK regulation uses the term but PUWER regulation 19 and the Electricity at Work Regulations require secure isolation, why an emergency stop is not isolation, the energy types to isolate, the step-by-step procedure, group lockout, process isolations and permits to work.
Supervision in care explained: why no law in England sets a frequency, what CQC Regulation 18 actually requires, where the old six-a-year rule came from, the quarterly minimum in Wales, supervision versus appraisal, who can supervise, what to discuss, records CQC expects and supervision for new starters.
Drugs and alcohol at work explained: why employees must consent to testing but can face disciplinary action for refusing, which jobs have legal alcohol limits, what ICO guidance says about random testing, the warning signs, supporting employees, the Equality Act position on addiction, and what a policy should include.
The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 explained: what equipment is covered, the 6- and 12-month thorough examination intervals and examination schemes, who is a competent person, what a report must contain, defects, record keeping, and why there is no such thing as a LOLER licence for operators.
Consent in health and social care explained: the three elements of valid consent, why a signature is not what makes consent valid, Montgomery and informed consent, refusals, the Mental Capacity Act test, best interests, why next of kin cannot simply consent for an adult, advance decisions and covert medication.
How a fair disciplinary and grievance procedure works under the Acas Code of Practice: why the Code is not law but can change tribunal awards by up to 25%, the steps, suspension, gross misconduct, the right to be accompanied, and the revised Code consulted on in 2026.
The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 explained: why PPE is legally the last resort, the April 2022 extension to limb (b) workers, why employers cannot charge for PPE, when other regulations apply instead, face-fit testing and beards, and the turban exemption.
What the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013 require, who they apply to, why needle recapping is prohibited, what to do after a needlestick injury, and when a sharps injury is — and is not — reportable under RIDDOR.
Hand-arm vibration syndrome explained: what HAVS is, who is at risk, the legal action and limit values in the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005, HSE’s points system, health surveillance, RIDDOR reporting and why anti-vibration gloves are not a reliable control.
