Workplace Health and Safety

Our Health and Safety Team concentrate on those things which are most likely to kill, injure and make people ill at work. We also expect business operators to have identified and taken action on other risks, which are specifically created by their work activities. The enforcement of health and safety in workplaces is split between the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and ourselves the local authority.  This is under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

The HSE have enforcement powers in the following sectors; factories, building sites, mines and quarries, farms, educational establishments, fairgrounds, chemical plant and offshore and nuclear installations.  The Local Authority covers shops, warehouses, offices, hotels, sports, leisure, consumer services, hairdressers, tyre and exhaust fitters and residential care homes.

Our Health and Safety Team carry out inspections of the businesses in the area. Our aim is to ensure that health and safety at work is effectively managed and to help businesses to meet their legal responsibilities.

ASBESTOS

We also deal with enquiries relating to asbestos for domestic and business premises.  You may find the following information useful.

If your domestic property is more than 15 years old, it's possible that it contains materials made from asbestos-containing cement.  If you are in any doubt, leave well alone and seek expert help from ourselves.

As far as disposal is concerned, small amounts of asbestos-containing cement material can be disposed of free of charge by householders at the civic amenity sites within the area.

If as a house holder, you intend to transport asbestos-containing cement material waste in your own vehicle, you do not need to be a registered carrier provided that it is your own waste.

However, you should take the following steps to ensure that asbestos does not contaminate your car:

• Spray sheets of asbestos cement with water.
• Double wrap or double bag the asbestos cement with heavy duty polythene, and secure with tape.

For business operators The Health and Safety Executive has produced a number of leaflets which are more appropriate.

ENFORCEMENT

In our enforcement role, we implement the Guidance on the HSE website which sets out rules for enforcing authorities, under section 18 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

ACCIDENT REPORTING & INVESTIGATION

In addition, we investigate accidents at work and complaints about unsafe working conditions. Where there are significant failings, or where people are put at serious risk of injury or ill health, we will normally take appropriate enforcement action.

Details of what types of accidents are reportable and when accidents should be reported are given here on the RIDDOR facts page

• Report an accident or occupational ill-health use the RIDDOR website.
• More information on Risk Management, with examples of risk assessments and safety policies.  The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) can be contacted directly at www.hse.gov.uk  or call 0845 345 0055, they also have an extensive range of free and priced guidance documents on various topics available through their website.