Health and Safety Inspections
We have a legal duty to carry out inspections in business premises such as offices, shops, and warehouses to ensure that the health, safety and welfare of people using and working in those premises are safeguarded and are without risk so far as is reasonably practicable.
This is mainly carried out through routine inspection of the work place by our team of health and safety officers.
We do not inspect:
This is mainly carried out through routine inspection of the work place by our team of health and safety officers.
We do not inspect:
- Council buildings;
- Construction sites;
- Or Manufacturing or food factories;
Which are inspected by the Health and Safety Executive.
Purpose of the health and safety inspection
The primary responsibility for controlling health and safety within the workplace rests with the employer. However, Environmental Health staff inspect various workplaces to ensure compliance with health and safety legislation.
Frequency of the inspection
The council must keep a record of all businesses that fall within their enforcement regime and put together a programme of inspections to make sure that they are all inspected on a regular basis.
The frequency of the inspection depends upon a number of factors that look at the risk to employees or users of the premises.
These include:
The frequency of the inspection depends upon a number of factors that look at the risk to employees or users of the premises.
These include:
- Safety hazard (The potential of any machinery, activity or methods of work, etc to cause harm).
- Health hazard (The potential of a substance, noise, vibration or method of work to cause harm).
- Safety risk (The likelihood that harm from a single hazard will be realised, e.g. number of employees, housekeeping, controls, and awareness)
- Health risk (As safety risk).
- Welfare provision (Quantifies the standard of welfare provision e.g. WC’s, washing facilities, rest areas etc.
- Public risk (The likelihood that the public will be harmed by activities in the workplace).
- Confidence in Management, (Quantifies the enforcement officers confidence in management, based on previous history, track record of compliance, attitude, training and technical knowledge).
The inspection
The time taken for an inspection will vary depending on the size and complexity of processes carried out at the business. Some may take no more than half an hour. Other more complicated inspections may take all day.
The inspector may wish to examine:
The inspector may wish to examine:
- Equipment
- Records (including computer records)
- First aid provision
- The general condition of the building
They may wish to observe or question employees about tasks they do during their course of work.
During the inspection they may take photographs or take samples of materials for analysis.
At the end of the inspection, the Officer will hold a discussion with the management about their findings and to clarify any questions they may have about the premises or practises.
A ‘Report of Inspection’ form will be given to the manager outlining a brief summary of the inspection.
The council will take an informal, educative approach where ever possible but we have signed up to the Enforcement Concordat and will take formal action where necessary to ensure compliance with the legislation.
This could take the form of:
During the inspection they may take photographs or take samples of materials for analysis.
At the end of the inspection, the Officer will hold a discussion with the management about their findings and to clarify any questions they may have about the premises or practises.
A ‘Report of Inspection’ form will be given to the manager outlining a brief summary of the inspection.
The council will take an informal, educative approach where ever possible but we have signed up to the Enforcement Concordat and will take formal action where necessary to ensure compliance with the legislation.
This could take the form of:
- A letter outlining the deficiencies found and may give advice on measures that need to be taken to secure compliance.
- An improvement notice detailing works needed within a time scale
- If the operation or equipment is dangerous, a prohibition notice prohibiting the operation or use of the equipment could be served (which immediately stops its use).
- In certain cases where the risk is so great prosecution through the courts could be an option.
Further help or information
Free leaflets on a range of health and safety topics are available from:
The Environmental Services Office :- Tel 01249 706555 or email ehealth@northwilts.gov.uk
Direct from the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/index.htm
For copies of guidance, codes of practice and health and safety legislation visit www.hsebooks.co.uk.
The Environmental Services Office :- Tel 01249 706555 or email ehealth@northwilts.gov.uk
Direct from the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/index.htm
For copies of guidance, codes of practice and health and safety legislation visit www.hsebooks.co.uk.
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