Our aim is to make sure workplaces are safe and healthy for all employees, the self-employed and visiting members of the public.
What to expect
Inspections are carried out routinely, sometimes unannounced.
During an inspection, checks will be made to make sure any hazards to health, safety and welfare in relation to work activities have been identified and the risks adequately controlled. A report will be left with the responsible person outlining any action needed to comply with the law and recommendations to improve safety.
Regulation
Health and safety inspectors can:
- Enter premises at any reasonable time
- Carry out examinations and investigations
- Take measurements, photographs and samples
- Take possession of an article (telling you why and giving you a receipt)
- Have articles dismantled and tested
- Require information and take statements
- Inspect and copy documents
How are problems resolved?
Wherever possible guidance and advice is provided to help businesses comply with the law, however, if serious unsafe conditions are found that could endanger life or lead to a serious injury formal enforcement action may be taken. Unsafe situations are dealt with according to the risk they present. We will take certain factors into account, including:
- The amount of risk
- The seriousness of the legal contravention
- The responsible persons past record and attitude towards putting things right
- Whether the law has been deliberately broken
- Whether there is sufficient evidence
What informal action can be taken?
This is the most common action taken following an inspection or investigation. We will leave a report and schedule with a responsible person or send it to them. This will describe the problems found and detail what action needs to be taken to comply with the law. A time limit will be given to complete each action.
If the unsafe situation is resolved within the time limit, no further action will be taken. However, if the problem has not been resolved, formal action may be taken.
What formal action can be taken?
Two types of Notices to take action may be served on the responsible person(s)
- Improvement notices - these outline the problem and the action that must be taken to make the situation safe within a certain time. The inspector will discuss the time limit with you, and explain how to get it extended if there is a good reason
- Prohibition notices - these outline the problem and require an unsafe work activity to be stopped until action has been taken to ensure it can continue safely. These are only issued if the inspector thinks there is a risk of serious injury.
Failure to comply with either notice will usually result in council prosecuting.
How you get help to comply with Notices
If you need help to comply with either informal or formal action, such as extending the time limit to carry out remedial work, please contact us. Contact details will be included on all correspondence. You can also visit the Health and Safety Executive website to obtain information about health and safety.