Services

Member Services

HR Support and Advice

As a member, you have access to the FREE Chamber HR service which helps you to keep pace with the ever-increasing stream of employment legislation

Manage your Contracts of Employments, policies and procedures by downloading and editing documentation from a bank of hundreds of templates.  This not only enhances the expedience of dealing with HR matters, but also ensures a compliant documented process, putting your business in the best position to defend any consequential action, for example:

  • A compliant Contract of Employment
  • A compliant Employee Handbook
  • A compliant Health & Safety Policy
  • A description of the law and considerations relating to the major pieces of legislation covering employment law and health & safety
  • Access to over 240 downloadable policies, procedures, documents, letters, templates and fact sheets
  • Unlimited access to a 24 hour, seven day human resource advice line

 Also available are:

  • Preferential rates for bespoke human resource and health & safety consultancy.
  • The facility to build your own documents
  • A 'My account' area
  • Videos of Qdos' consultants delivering practical support

If one of your employees submit an application to Employment Tribunal you have insurance in place to cover the defence costs and tribunal awards (as long as advice is taken).  To access the service call the Chamber HR advice line on 02920 349614 or visit the website

If you are a Knowsley Chamber member and have misplaced your personal Chamber HR login details then contact:

TELEPHONE: 0151 477 1356 or email sheila.toft@knowsleychamber.org.uk

 

HR Update

Buying New Machinery in the New Year?

New Machinery

The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 require that any machinery:

  • Is safe (free from risk to safety and health) when supplied
  • Is CE marked and
  • Comes with a declaration of conformity and user instructions in English.

Manufacturers of machinery have responsibilities to meet these standards and requirements when machinery is first placed on the European market.

Suppliers must supply safe machinery in accordance with the requirements of Section 6 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974  (In part "1 (a) to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable that the article is so designed and constructed as to be safe and without risk when properly used"). 

Users of machinery must comply with the requirements of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) to:

  • Select and provide equipment for work that is suitable for the conditions in which it will be used so as to be free form risk when used properly and maintained so as to keep it in safe condition.
  • Machinery should be CE marked, supplied with user instruction in English and free from any obvious defects such as missing or damaged guards.
  • The Purchaser/User has duties to ensure the equipment is maintained and inspected to ensure that it remains safe whilst in use.

Before any equipment is purchased commissioned or installed consideration should be given to:

  • Where and how it is intended to be used
  • What it will be used for
  • Who will use it (Competent/skilled employees - requiring familiarisation training, or trainees or persons with little or no experience on similar equipment - requiring a full training programme
  • What potential risk to health and safety might result from its use
  • How well health and safety risks are controlled by alternative manufacturers on such things as noise or vibration levels.

Second hand - Previously used - Refurbished machinery

Any machinery at work has to be safe for use.  As a user you have a duty to make sure that second-hand machinery is:

  • Safe when put into use
  • Suitable for the selected work and
  • Maintained in a safe condition

Should the machinery have been totally refurbished for the purposes of installing CNC Controls together with other work it may require new CE marking as the way it operates is very different to before and will be treated as a new machine.

There are some exclusions but it would be worth while checking the HSE Publications INDG 271

Out with the Old … and in with the New

With 2012 it's a good time to take a fresh look at your HR Files. 

Did you know that the Data Protection Act 1998, requires employers to limit information contained on individual personal files to that which is 'relevant'!

Often employers overlook their responsibility in relation to HR filing, which can lead to claims under the Data Protection Act, when outdated information is held on the individual files.

An annual audit of files is often recommended, however, many employers find it difficult to prioritise this activity throughout the year, with more important issues taking president.

© Knowsley Chamber 2012 Site by O'Connell and Squelch ltd.