Health and Safety Team

What we do

We are responsible for the enforcement of health and safety matters in a range of non-industrial premises such as shops, offices, warehouses, restaurants, hotels, hairdressers, cinemas, and other places of entertainment.

The Health and Safety Executive is responsible for other premises, and undertakes research on significant health and safety issues. For more information see the HSE website.

We try to ensure that all employers, employees and self-employed people understand and comply with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act and associated legislation.

The Council is also responsible for ensuring that all food sold in the borough is safe, clean and fit to eat. We also investigate complaints regarding unsatisfactory conditions at work and deal with any enquiries about health and safety in the workplace.

Our Mission Statement

To work in partnership with local businesses to inspire positive and responsible attitudes to health and safety through advice, sign-posting and taking appropriate enforcement action only where it is in the public interest.

We carry out routine inspections of work places to assess the degree of risk associated with the particular work activity. This determines the frequency of future inspections.

During inspections, we consider a range of working conditions including:

  • use and storage of chemicals
  • safety of equipment and first aid
  • sanitary and washing facilities
  • guarding of machinery
  • exposure to noise
  • cleanliness

We also check that employers have a company safety policy, have carried out risk assessments, have safe systems of work, and that staff have appropriate training.

Sensible Risk Management

We promote and support the principles of Sensible Risk Management.

We pledge our commitment to the Strategy, Health and Safety of Great Britain – Be Part of the Solution, which encompasses the principles of the Sensible Risk Management Campaign, but also encourages organisations to make a more comprehensive commitment.

For information of our Enforcement Policy see Directorate of Environmental Health Enforcement Policy [PDF] (file size 130Kb)