Safe working environment

Safety in premises used for work

For those who may be in overall charge of premises safety, or who have been appointed safety officers or building maintenance officers this section may prove a useful starting point or introduction to the importance of building safety and matters relating to the health and safety of those who use the building.

No matter what the type of business, the size of premises, or the number of staff employed within it, there should always be someone trained in safety management and nominated as the safety Officer. The Safety Officer then may carry out basic checks, liase with the enforcing authorities. Also, s/he may act as a reference point for specialist contractors and consultants (such as lift engineers, cooling tower specialists, cleaning contractors, etc).

 

Legislation

Every employer must appoint one or more competent persons to assist with those measures required to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and the relevant statutory provisions.

• Health and Safety Regulation [PDF file]
  Features a summary of the 1974 Health and Safety Act for employers, the self-employed and employees. Find out what the Act is supposed to ensure in the workplace.
• Health and Saftey Executive
  Warns of health and safety issues in the workplace and provides of list of resources including videos and publications on these issues.

 

Training

There are a wide variety of courses available, and whether you are a small, medium or large business safety in your premises is crucial. The organisations listed below offer courses, you should make sure to choose one relevant to the nature and size of your business:

• Chartered Institute of Environmental Health
• International Institute of Risk and Safety Management
• British Safety Council
• Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
• Institute of Occupational Safety and Health

If you are responsible for record keeping make sure that legally required documents are available on site for authorised officers such as EHOs to see, and where relevant for employees to see.

 

Staff and management

Inform and train all members of staff, including management about any new procedures, processes, policies or in the use of new equipment and chemicals. You will also have to consider the purchase of personal protective equipment such as gloves, goggles, over clothing, helmets, ear defenders, etc (all of which must be provided free for use by employees).

 

Risk assessment

Risk assessments will have to be carried out. Find out more about risk assessments [PDF file].

 

Safety checklist

The checklist below is designed to remind you of the areas that need checking if health and safety is going to be taken seriously. The list is by no means complete. When carrying out an inspection try to be critical and write down anything that is wrong or you are not sure about.