Hail insurance

Insurance of property against damage caused by hailstorms. It is written on buildings, their contents, and growing crops.
****
Contract of Insurance covering property against damage caused by hall and hailstorms.

Hamburg Rules

UN proposal in 1978 to overhaul the Hague Rules. The proposal makes the sea carrier liable for all damage to cargo regardless of cause and without limitation. The rules, opposed by the US and the UK, will come into effect when approved by 20 countries.
***
Proposed rules for the carriage of goods by sea which substantially eliminate ship owners’ exemptions from liability for damage to cargo arising from e.g., fault in management, fault in navigation, or fire.

Hancock annuity

Annuity purchased by an employer for a former employee. If the employer’s clear intention was to provide an irrevocable pension for an already retired employee, when the purchase price is paid, the amount will attract tax relief (Hancock v. General Reversionary & Investment Co. Ltd (1918)).

Haulier’s liability policy

Covers liability for loss/damage to customers’ goods; it does not cover the goods. Policies are rated on annual haulage charges. The rate varies according to the conditions of carriage and so a split is made between Road Haulage Association Conditions of Carriage, CMR and estimated unwitting CMR. Insurers require vehicles to be alarmed and usually impose security warranties that apply when the vehicles are unattended and garaged or parked overnight. Carriage of ‘target goods’ may attract a ‘two driver’ warranty. See GOODS IN TRANSIT.

Hazardous pursuits

Certain hazardous sports and activities are excluded from personal accident insurances, as they are high-risk pursuits not undertaken by all policyholders. Those who run the excluded risks can usually ‘buy them back. The ‘pursuits’ include: aviation (other than as a passenger on normal flights); hunting and polo; football; motorcycling; mountaineering involving the use of ropes; winter sports and others.
***
Certain sports and activities are termed hazardous pursuits and are excluded from travel insurances although it may be possible to have them included on payment of an additional premium.

Hazardous waste

Waste containing any substance that may create danger to: (a) the life or health of people or animals when released into the environment; or (b) to the safety of humans or equipment in disposal plants if incorrectly handled. Hazardous waste may be toxic (most pesticides, lead salts, arsenic compounds, cadmium compounds, cattle dip); flammable (e.g. hydrocarbons); corrosive (e.g. acids, alkalines); oxidising (e.g. nitrates, chromatic). Insureds knowingly involved with hazardous waste must disclose it as material fact.
****
Term generally used to refer to pollutants or contaminants that result from industrial processing and must be disposed.

Headroom check

Check to ascertain that a member’s free standing additional voluntary contributions (FSAVC) do not exceed the IR’s maximum of 15 per cent of pensionable earnings for an occupational scheme. The check applies to members with contributions of more than £2,400 gross per annum (January 2003 figure). The earnings cap applies to the headroom check if it applies to the main benefits.

Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992

Apply to all workstations using display screen equipment (VDUs) and habitual users of such equipment. The employer must analyse each workstation to assess the risks to health. There are minimum requirements for each workstation based on the equipment, the environment and the interface between users and equipment. The Regulations call for the planning of regular breaks, eye tests at the request of employees, corrective appliances, training and information on health and safety. A breach is criminal and also supports civil actions.