Skip to main content
IOSH Magazine: Safety, Health and Wellbeing in the world of work - return to the homepage IOSH Magaazine logo
  • Visit IOSH Magazine on Facebook
  • Visit @ioshmagazine on Twitter
  • Visit IOSH Magazine on LinkedIn
Gender equality
Practice meets perfect
May/June 2023 issue

Main navigation

  • Home
    • Browse previous issues
    • Member accolades
    • Member tributes
  • Health
    • Mental health and wellbeing
      • Bullying
      • Drugs and alcohol
      • Mental health
      • Stress
      • Wellbeing
    • Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
      • Ergonomics
      • Manual handling
      • Vibration
    • Occupational cancer
      • Asbestos
      • Hazardous substances
      • Radiation
  • Safety
    • Incident management
      • Chemicals
      • Electricity
      • Fire
      • First aid
      • Slips and trips
    • Non-health related fatalities
      • Road safety
      • Work at height
    • Risk management
      • Confined spaces
      • Disability
      • Legionella
      • Lifting operations
      • Lone workers
      • Noise
      • Personal protective equipment
      • Violence at work
      • Work equipment
      • Workplace transport
  • Management
    • Human factors
      • Accident reduction
      • Behavioural safety
      • Control of contractors
      • Migrant workers
      • Older workers
      • Reporting
      • Safe systems of work
      • Sickness absence
      • Young workers
    • Leadership and management
      • Employee involvement
      • Management systems
    • Management standards
      • ISO 45001
      • ISO 45003
    • Planning
      • Assurance
      • Compliance
      • Emergency planning
      • Insurance
    • Rehabilitation
      • Personal injury
      • Return to work
    • Strategy
      • Corporate governance
      • Performance/results
      • Regulation/enforcement
      • Reputation
    • Sustainability
      • Human capital and Vision Zero
  • Skills
    • Communication
    • Personal performance
      • Achieving Fellowship
      • Career development
      • Competencies
      • Personal development
      • Professional skills
      • Qualifications
    • Stakeholder management
    • Working with others
      • Leadership
      • Future Leaders
  • Jobs
  • Covid-19
  • Knowledge Bank
    • Back to basics
    • Book club
    • Infographics
    • Podcast
    • Reports
    • Webinars
    • Videos
  • Products & Services
  • Management
    • Human factors
      • Sickness absence
      • Accident reduction
      • Behavioural safety
      • Control of contractors
      • Migrant workers
      • Older workers
      • Reporting
      • Safe systems of work
      • Young workers
    • Leadership and management
      • Employee involvement
      • Leadership
      • Management systems
    • Management standards
      • ISO 45001
      • ISO 45003
    • Planning
      • Assurance
      • Compliance
      • Emergency planning
      • Insurance
    • Strategy
      • Corporate governance
      • Performance/results
      • Regulation/enforcement
      • Reputation
    • Sustainability
      • Human capital and Vision Zero
  • Health
    • COVID-19
    • Mental health and wellbeing
      • Bullying
      • Drugs and alcohol
      • Mental health
      • Stress
      • Wellbeing
    • Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
      • Ergonomics
      • Manual handling
      • Vibration
    • Occupational cancer
      • Asbestos
      • Hazardous substances
      • Radiation
  • Safety
    • Incident management
      • Chemicals
      • Electricity
      • Fire
      • First aid
      • Slips and trips
    • Non-health related fatalities
      • Road safety
      • Work at height
    • Risk management
      • Confined spaces
      • Disability
      • Legionella
      • Lifting operations
      • Lone workers
      • Noise
      • Personal protective equipment
      • Violence at work
      • Work equipment
      • Workplace transport
  • Skills
    • Communication
    • Personal performance
      • Career development
      • Competencies
      • Personal development
      • Qualifications
      • Professional skills
      • Achieving Fellowship
    • Stakeholder management
    • Working with others
      • Leadership
      • Future Leaders
  • Transport and logistics
  • Third sector
  • Retail
  • Mining and quarrying
  • Rail
  • Rehabilitation
    • Personal injury
    • Return to work
  • Utilities
  • Manufacturing and engineering
  • Construction
  • Sector: IOSH Branch
    • Sector: Northern Ireland
    • Sector: Midland
    • Sector: Merseyside
    • Sector: Manchester and North West Districts
    • Sector: Ireland East
    • Sector: Ireland
    • Sector: Edinburgh
    • Sector: Desmond-South Munster
    • Sector: Qatar
    • Sector: Oman
    • Singapore
    • Sector: South Coast
    • Sector: South Wales
    • Sector: Thames Valley
    • Sector: Tyne and Wear
    • Sector: UAE
    • Sector: West of Scotland
    • Sector: Yorkshire
  • Healthcare
  • Sector: Fire
  • Sector: Financial/general services
  • Sector: Energy
  • Education
  • Sector: Communications and media
  • Chemicals
  • Sector: Central government
  • Catering and leisure
  • Agriculture and forestry
  • Sector: Local government
  • Sector: IOSH Group
    • Sector: Financial Services
    • Sector: Sports Grounds and Events
    • Rural industries
    • Sector: railway
    • Public Services
    • Sector: Offshore
    • Sector: Hazardous Industries
    • Sector: Food and Drink
    • Sector: Fire Risk Management
    • Education
    • Construction
    • Sector: Aviation and Aerospace
Quick links:
  • Home
  • Categories
  • News
Emergency planning

Govt moots new ‘Public Duty’ terror law

Open-access content Kellie Mundell — Friday 28th February 2020
From the archive:  Just so you know, this article is more than 3 years old.
The refurbished foyer at Manchester Arena after the 2017 terror attack. Image credit | Handout
The refurbished foyer at Manchester Arena after the 2017 terror attack. Image credit | Handout

The government is to consult on a new duty to require businesses and Local Authorities to put in place measures to protect the public in the event of a terrorist attack, according to plans from the Home Office.

The announcement follows a bomb attack during an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena in 2017, as well as incidents at London’s Fishmongers’ Hall and Streatham in the last six months.

The new ‘Protect Duty’ will be consulted on by the government in spring, following discussions with victims’ groups such as the Martyn’s Law campaign – established by Figen Murray, whose son Martyn Hett was one of 22 killed in the Manchester attack.

Under the government's proposals, parliament would pass a new law that would impose a legal duty on whoever is responsible for the management of public spaces.

It would require owners and operators to consider the risk of an attack and the plans they have in place to either help prevent it happening – or to manage the aftermath.

The duty could include obligations to review and improve not only the physical security of a location, but also how well staff members are trained to deal with an incident.

Security minister James Brokenshire said: 'We are in complete agreement with campaigners such as Figen Murray on the importance of venues and public spaces having effective and proportionate protective security and preparedness measures to keep people safe.

'Of course, it is important that this new law is proportionate. This public consultation will ensure we put in place a law that will help protect the public, while not putting undue pressure on businesses.'

However Duncan Spencer, head of advice and practice at IOSH, believes that we must be careful to balance emotion with rationality.

While there is a duty under section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA), which covers the safety of others affected by your undertaking – terrorism is not your undertaking, he noted. ‘Terror is a criminal act and not to do with how work is conducted.’

Duncan cited the example of a betting shop assistant who was seriously injured by an attack in a shop where she worked. ‘There was some attempt to look at the application of sections 2 and 3 by the authorities, but in the end the argument that it was a criminal act and not a safety concern prevailed. It is unreasonable for employers to be able to predict which customer is a potentially violent or a terrorist.'

The kind of controls cited by the campaign, including locks on doors and extra cameras, are not preventative and may even fall foul of other regulations such as keeping fire escapes free, he warned. ‘If a venue invites the public in, such controls would not stop an attack. Terrorists will still come and go, just as the public does. It is the duty of MI5 and the police to identify and prevent, not business.

'While it is tragic that Mr Hyatt lost his life, in my opinion this would not be good law,’ added Duncan, reminding us that it is how we ended up with the outdoor licensing regulations after the Lyme Regis Canoe tragedy. ‘It didn’t really improve safety in an industry that was already safe, and suffered an incident caused by one rogue operator.’ And he should know, he worked in the industry at the time.

So is there a duty for the employer? Yes, in that they must have contingency plans for dealing with the aftermath of an incident (not prevention). Particularly where large numbers are involved.

‘Large public venues already do this,’ added Duncan. ‘They have to think about how to funnel people away from the scene and deal with the casualties before the police arrive to take control of what becomes a crime scene.’

IOSH magazine will keep you updated with the government’s consultation when further details are released.

You may also be interested in...

Image credit | iStock

 Study reveals pros and cons of gig economy

Friday 28th February 2020
With the rise in self-employment, independent contractors, and workers accessing the labour market via online platforms, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published new research on the risks and benefits of the growing ‘gig’ economy in order to inform future occupational safety and health policy.
Open-access content
traffic light

 Green light for traffic management plan

Friday 28th February 2020
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) in Ireland has launched an online tool to improve traffic management in the construction sector.
Open-access content
Image credit | iStock

 Coronavirus: guidance from IOSH

Tuesday 25th February 2020
Organisations must be prepared and plan effectively and explain to employees how they will respond in the event of an outbreak of Coronavirus, IOSH vice-president Tim Eldridge said last week on BBC World News.
Open-access content
Image credit | COPFS

 Child crushed by power line pole

Tuesday 25th February 2020
An engineering firm has been ordered to pay £160,000 after a schoolboy was crushed to death by a heavy wooden pole when it broke loose and rolled down an embankment where the child was playing.
Open-access content
Image credit | COPFS

 Trawler operator fined over crewman’s death

Tuesday 25th February 2020
A marine fishing company has been fined £50,000 over health and safety offences that led to a crewman’s death nearly five years ago.
Open-access content
istock

 In brief: Singapore firm sets up age-friendly workplace

Tuesday 3rd March 2020
A ship parts manufacturer in Singapore has committed to train older workers in technology in a bid to grow its business by staying competitive with its progressive employment practices.
Open-access content
Topics
News
Emergency planning
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linked in
  • Mail
  • Print

Latest Jobs

Health and Safety Improvement Manager

Leeds
£35000 - £50000 per annum
Reference
5452992

SHEQ Systems Advisor

Up to £40000.00 per annum + Car Allowance
Reference
5452988

Senior Health and Safety Manager

Reading
Up to £65000.00 per annum + Great Car Allowance & Benefits
Reference
5452983
See all jobs »

Sign up for regular e-alerts

Receive the latest news and features, free to your inbox

Sign up

Subscribe to IOSH magazine

Receive the print edition straight to your door

Subscribe
IOSH Covers
​
FOLLOW US
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
CONTACT US
Contact us
Tel +44 (0)20 7880 6200
​

IOSH

About IOSH
Become a member
IOSH Events
MyIOSH

Information

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy

Get in touch

Contact us
Advertise with us
Subscribe to IOSH magazine
Write for IOSH magazine

IOSH Magazine

Health
Safety
Management
Skills
IOSH Jobs

© 2023 IOSH • IOSH is not responsible for the content of external sites

ioshmagazine.com and IOSH Magazine are published by Redactive Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part is not allowed without written permission.

Redactive Media Group Ltd, 71-75 Shelton Street, London WC2H 9JQ