Dear All, Can any one tell me: If our company employ's people in countries outside of Europe do we need to still ensure all aspects of their health and safety is up to UK standards? Does it make a difference if the individual is a from the country in which they are employed or if they are from the UK ? Sorry if this is a silly question but I do not remember covering what our responsibilities are for international employees during my NEBOSH Diploma, maybe I slept through that class :) and so far I have no experience in this area. If you could point me in the right direction to gather the information that would be great.

cres, The H&S at Work etc Act does not apply beyond the UK, neither do the subsidiary Regulations. However, the economic and moral issues relating to the wellbeing of your employees will (or should) be occupying the minds of the occupants of the Boardroom. Consider the well-publicised collapse of the garment factory in Bangladesh and subsequent press and media condemnation of the UK companies who were their customers (not direct employers). Consider also the allegations of slave labour being used to produce goods for UK consumption and then ask yourself: could that have been my company's name attached to that scandal? What would have been the business impact? Whilst most poor H&S regimes in developing countries may go unremarked and unpunished, some people do actually go to jail in these countries. And there you may have your answer.