Monthly Archives :

February 2022

Newest addition to our Appointed Representative Partnership Programme
Newest addition to our Appointed Representative Partnership Programme 1920 1280 James Hallam

James Hallam welcomes Trelawney Insurance Solutions to their Appointed Representative Partnership Programme

James Hallam Limited (the insurance broking arm of Seventeen Group) are delighted to announce Trelawney Insurance Solutions (“TIS”) as the latest addition to their Appointed Representative Partnership Programme. TIS will continue to provide bespoke solutions to a variety of clients in a number of business sectors from across the South West and beyond, accessing a wide range of insurance companies and Managing General Agencies as well as specialist insurance products via Lloyds of London.

TIS were formed in 2013 and have experienced substantial growth through the provision of excellent, efficient service and sound advice to contented clients. Commenting on TIS’s new direction, Managing Director, Richard Stevens, said ” We are delighted to be in Partnership with James Hallam, one of the UK’s leading independent Insurance brokers, as we know that they share our belief that insurance is not a service for which ‘one size fits all’ and who see the value of offering a personalised and professional service.”

Paul Anscombe, Seventeen Group CEO, said “We are really delighted to welcome Richard and Trelawney Insurance Solutions on board as part of our expanding Partnership Programme. It was very clear from our earliest discussions with Richard that we are very closely aligned culturally and share an absolute focus on client service. Like all our Partners, TIS will undoubtedly add value to the broader Group and I know that in return we can support them in achieving their plans and aspirations.”

Protecting your Workforce
Protecting your Workforce 1920 1280 James Hallam

It has been widely reported that staff are fleeing the hospitality industry, following the uncertainty of Covid, Brexit and long working hours. Protecting your staff will always have been a priority, but now holding on to a good loyal team is more important than ever.

Everyone has the right to feel safe in their working environment, but sometimes when tempers are running high or customers are experiencing longer than intended wait times, it can be your team that bear the brunt of their anger.

The James Hallam team have been looking at ways to protect your team’s personal safety in the workplace.

Working Environment

It is important you are committed to creating and maintaining an environment within your hospitality business, that is healthy and where your employees are shown respect and dignity by others.

Where it is expected that all staff, guests, visitors, contractors and any other persons who are on your premises behave in a respectable manner.

You could display a poster for staff and customers making it clear what behaviour is not tolerated. You could include the following:

  • Bullying of any kind
  • Violence of any kind in the workplace
  • Abusive or aggressive behaviour of any kind
  • Harassment, especially of a sexual nature

If any of this behaviour is brought to your attention, take immediate action to investigate and deal with the relevant parties. If employees are found to be guilty of any wrong doing they should be disciplined. If other parties are at fault then the appropriate actions must be followed, this may involve criminal proceedings being brought against an individual.

Violent or Abusive Customers

Whilst we’re sure on the whole your customers are friendly and respectful, it is wise to offer some ‘best practice’ guidance should an incident occur.

Occasionally customers may become embroiled in altercations with other customers or aggressive to staff especially at busy times or when alcohol is involved.

You could ask your employees to look for the potential triggers that could lead to a violent situation:

  • Raised voices, shouting, or use of swearing and offensive language
  • Racial slurs or comments said with the intention of causing offense to others
  • Aggressive gesturing, pushing, to others
  • Veiled or open threats to others

If these potential triggers are identified then there are a number of steps that can be taken with the intention of preventing an actual act of violence or physical abuse occurring.

Firstly, staff should always think of their own personal safety and never try and deal with the situation alone, they should always call for assistance.

  • Advise another member of staff at the earliest opportunity if they sense that there is potential for an incident to occur
  • Talk to the relevant parties and remind them that such behaviour will not be tolerated – advise them not to raise their voice as this may aggravate the situation
  • Instruct that the Police will be contacted if the issues are not addressed

Actual acts of violence and physical abuse are thankfully very rare indeed but it is wise to have procedures in place to make your staff feel protected and safe.

As well as protecting your staff, protecting your business premises, income and liabilities is also key. For more details about insurance for your hospitality business speak to our Hospitality Division today on 020 7977 7856.

Batten down the hatches – severe weather warning
Batten down the hatches – severe weather warning 1920 1280 James Hallam

There’s a storm brewing – two in fact! With Storms Dudley and Eunice heading our way and Met Office severe weather warnings flooding the news, we’re prepared for a busy week at the office. Wind and rain can be perilous to both homes and vehicles, so we wanted to share with you a handy guide to staying safe in the storm. It’s time to batten down the hatches.

View Covea Insurance’s Storm Safety guide here.

The law on fire alarms in Scottish homes has changed – home owner or landlord this is what you need to know…
The law on fire alarms in Scottish homes has changed – home owner or landlord this is what you need to know… 1920 1280 James Hallam

Every home in Scotland must have interlinked fire alarms. Interlinked means if one goes off, they all go off, so you will always hear an alarm wherever you are in your home.

The new law has come about because of the Grenfell fire in London in 2017, and it applies to all Scottish homes.

It is the property owner’s responsibility for meeting the new standard, with any costs to be met by the home owner or landlord, what you need will depend on what you currently have in place and the alarms you choose to install.

What each home needs

Every home must have:

  • one smoke alarm in the living room or the room you use most
  • one smoke alarm in every hallway or landing
  • one heat alarm in the kitchen

All smoke and heat alarms should be mounted on the ceiling and be interlinked.

If you have a carbon-fuelled appliance – like a  boiler, fire, heater or flue – in any room, you must also have a carbon monoxide detector in that room, but this does not need to be linked to the fire alarms

Help with costs

Older and disabled homeowners on low incomes can get help with costs.

If you are a private tenant, your landlord is responsible.

If you are a council or housing association tenant, work is ongoing to make sure your home meets the new standards.

Two types of alarms

You can use either sealed battery alarms or mains-wired alarms.

Both types of alarm are interlinked by radio frequency and do not need WiFi.

What the alarms must have

If you use battery alarms, they must be sealed tamper-proof units and have long-life lithium batteries, which can be up to 10 years. You may be able to fit these types of alarms yourself and they do not need an electrician.

Mains-wired alarms are cheaper but if you use them, they must be fitted by a qualified electrician and must be replaced every 10 years. You may also need to redecorate after fitting them.

If you also need a carbon monoxide alarm and it is battery-operated, it must have a sealed battery for the duration of its lifespan.

You can find full details and further guidance here.

Source: GOV.SCOT
Photo source: GOV.SCOT

Changes to the Highway Code
Changes to the Highway Code 1920 1280 James Hallam

The Department for Transport have announced a raft of changes to the Highway Code, including the introduction of the ‘Dutch Reach’ and the Hierarchy of Road Users, here’s what you need to know…

The changes are designed to enhance safety for all road-users, particularly those most vulnerable, as the Government continues the Build Back Safer campaign.

The changes include 33 rule amendments which are summarised here with the full official Government response available to be viewed here.

In addition to the updated rules there are three further new rules introducing a new hierarchy of road-users and greater priority for pedestrians and cyclists.

Rule H1 introduces a hierarchy of road-users, the purpose of which is that those ‘road users who can do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger they pose to others’ according to the Department for Transport (DFT). The scale ranks road users from most vulnerable upwards to those who pose most harm – pedestrians, cyclist, horse riders, motorcyclists, cars, vans, large vehicles/HGV’s.

The aim of the hierarchy is to encourage a culture of safety and responsibility, it is not intended to give vulnerable road users priority in all circumstances and all road users do remain responsible for their own safety when using the road.

Rule H2 introduces a greater priority for pedestrians at junctions where the onus will be on drivers to look out for and respond to the actions of the pedestrian. Rule H2 imposes an obligation on drivers and riders:

  • At a road junction you should give way to pedestrians who are crossing or waiting to cross a road you are turning into or from which you are turning
  • You must give way to pedestrians on a zebra crossing
  • You must give way to cyclists and pedestrians on a parallel crossing
  • You should give way to pedestrians if they are waiting to cross on their respective crossings
  • Cyclists should give way to pedestrians on shared cycle/pedestrian tracks
  • Only pedestrians and wheelchair/mobility scooters should use a pavement

This rule will impact drivers and riders, particularly where there is an obligation, rather than merely advice or guidance, on the actions that must be taken in certain circumstances. As an example, under Rule H2, if a pedestrian is standing on a pavement waiting to cross at a crossing, drivers and riders should give priority to the pedestrian.

Rule H3 is in respect of protecting and prioritising cyclists at junctions. Cyclists will now be given right of way when passing on the inside of vehicles turning left. H3 will advise drivers to not cut across cyclists who are continuing straight ahead when the driver intends to turn into or out of a junction or when changing lanes. Drivers must also not turn at a junction if it would cause a cyclist to swerve or stop and safe distance should be maintained from cyclists at junctions, roundabouts or when cyclists are passing slow moving or stationary traffic.

The update to the Highway Code also encouraged motorists to adopt the so-called ‘Dutch Reach’, opening the door next to them with the opposite hand so they look over their shoulder, meaning they’re less likely to injure passing cyclists and pedestrians.

Cyclists will also receive guidance to ride in the centre of a lane on quieter roads, in slower-moving traffic and at the approach to junctions in order to make themselves as clearly visible as possible. Cyclists will be reminded they can ride two abreast, as has always been the case, which can be safer in large groups or with children but must be aware of drivers behind them and allow them to overtake if it is safe to do so.

As part of their work to improve road safety even further, the Department for Transport also recently announced plans to change the laws in relation to the use of hand-held mobile phones while driving.

The law in this area is expected to be tightened further later this year, making virtually any use of the devices behind the wheel illegal, with those caught breaking the law potentially facing 6 penalty points and a £200 fine.

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