All workplaces across the UK must display a new and updated Health & Safety Law Poster from April of this year.
However, according to workplace equipment supplier Slingsby, many companies are not aware that the new health and safety legislation is fast approaching.
Since 1999, all UK workplaces, whatever sector they cover, have been obliged to display the current Health & Safety poster in a prominent position as part of the Health and Safety Information for Employees Regulations (HSIER).
From 5 April 2014, the newly designed poster must replace the current poster, alongside a new pocket card which has been created in order to replace the health and safety leaflets. These new cards must be given to all employees who are based off-site, including plumbers and gas fitters, as well as travelling sales people and employees who work from home.
Lee Wright, marketing director at Slinsgby, told Professional Security magazine: “The old Health & Safety law poster is a familiar sight but it’s visually unappealing with too much small text and despite it being easily recognisable to millions of people; very few have ever read it. The new poster is designed to be easy to digest, with less text and it contains colour images which immediately make it more eye catching.
“Another change is that employers are no longer required to write contact details for local enforcing authorities and Employment Medical Advisory Services on the new poster. Instead there’s a helpline that employees can call with any queries”, added Mr Wright.