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Vinny Kenny, from the HSE, while responding to reports from various businesses across the UK, stated that some of the rumours regarding the new law poster are totally ludicrous.

He went on to add that though the HSE had indeed come up with a new law poster and law cards for employees in April, they have not issued any mandate to the UK businesses for displaying the same in their offices with immediate effect. In fact, according to sources at the Health and Safety Executive, companies have been given a five year period to comply with the instruction to display the new poster.

According to the health laws in the UK, companies have a duty towards their employees to display the health posters and also distribute law cards, which contain health and safety information and also provide names and addresses of people and places a worker can go to in case of any problems. According to the HSE the new version of these cards, published in April, is more lucid and employee friendly.

Using false claims, some deceptive businesses have sought to earn riches by compelling companies to buy such posters at inflated rates, thereby earning themselves a huge profit. The HSE, wanting to put an end to such claims, has categorically stated to all businesses across the UK to not entertain these offers and also to contact them directly for any clarifications on the issue. It is also advisable for employers to keep themselves up to date with health and safety developments by taking an accredited health and safety course by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).

The HSE has also allowed companies to continue to use the old poster till 2014 provided that the poster is readable and it contains the latest contact information of the relevant authorities.