Inside this issue

Reasons to be cheerful pp3

H&S exemptions pp4

OH must change pp4-5

Step up for mental health pp5

Pre-retirees suffering ill health pp6

Managing redundancy of pregnant workers pp6

MoHaWK working well pp6

NMC chair pp6

Holiday pay for sick workers pp7-8

Handling a heavy burden pp8 - 9

Record corporate manslaughter fine pp9-10

NI corporate manslaughter order pp9

Consultation on Riddor changes pp10

Tribunal fees could reach £1,200 pp10

Sharps and needlestick consultation pp10

Tribunal fees could reach £1,200 pp10

Disfigurement at work pp11-14

The workplace can be a challenging environment for people with disfigurements

Returning to work following surgery pp15-17

A comparison of English and Swedish return-to-work guidelines

Alcohol on the brain, Part 1 pp18-21

Part 1: Understanding alcohol misuse and its implications for occupational health

Safer needles pp22-25

Overcoming resistance to the use of engineering controls to prevent needlestick injuries

How reasonable are reasonable adjustments? pp26-30

Recent developments in the law

Fit note practice pp31-34

GPs’ use of fit notes and the practices of occupational health

Expert Witness: Criminal liability pp35-36

Criminal liability under health and safety law

Occupational physicians top work–life balance table pp37

Irish bar staff risk hearing damage pp37-38

Vaccine reticence pp37

Nanofibre health risks depend on length pp38-39

Physically sick pp39

Patient handling pp39

Strenuous healthcare work predicts absence pp40

Shiftwork increases coronary risks pp40

Shiftwork link to healthcare worker absence pp40

Physical work and pregnancy pp40

Awkward postures and the risk of back pain pp40-41

Low back pain risks pp41

Upper-limb disorder prevention pp41

Neck pain pp41

Cost-effectiveness of worksite mental health programmes pp41