Health and safety

General Information

Each year, more than 300 people die in workplace accidents and over 158,000 serious and other injuries occur. In addition, there are about 2.2 million people who suffer from ill-health caused by, or made worse by, work.

Health and Safety laws are in place to reduce the risks of these incidents. The laws are enforced by Inspectors from Local Authorities and from Central Government's Health and Safety Executive.

Local Authorities are responsible for applying Health and Safety laws to - Offices, shops, catering premises (such as restaurants, hotels, cafes, etc.), leisure activities and warehouses.

The Health and Safety Executive are responsible for farms, factories, building sites and other manufacturing activities (http://www.hse.gov.uk/index.htm).

Inspectors from both agencies are pleased to give advice on Health and Safety or meeting legal requirements. An informal enquiry will not normally trigger a visit, unless requested, since most premises will be inspected according to existing schedules or programmes.

Finally, all accidents causing more than three days absence from a person's normal work activity, or which involve serious injury, ill health or certain dangerous activities must be reported to either the Local Authority, Health and Safety Executive or the Incident Control Centre (0845 300 9923, http://www.riddor.gov.uk ).