The Council has a legal duty to enforce the Health and Safety
at Work etc Act 1974 and related legislation. On behalf of the
Council, the Commercial Health Team aims to ensure that work
premises are safe for employees and visitors to them and that
accidents are prevented wherever possible.
We:
- inspect places of work to ensure compliance with health and
safety law, in accordance with government priorities
- use educational techniques as well as legal means to achieve
compliance
- investigate accidents to employees or others which occur in
workplaces
- investigate complaints about health, safety or welfare in work
premises
- licence particular premises (eg skin piercing, sex shops)
- advise other Council sections about health and safety at
events with licences for drinking and entertainment.
- work with Planning and Building Control Officers to advise on
the health and safety implications of new developments
- give advice to customers and all stakeholders on health and
safety issues
- work with other health professionals locally and
nationally
What you can expect
We will:
- carry out regular and programmed inspections of
workplaces
- investigate relevant workplace accidents within one working
day of being notified
- respond to complaints about health and safety in workplaces
within five working days
- respond to requests for advice or information about health and
safety within five working days
- respond to letters or emails about health and safety issues
within fourteen working days
- keep you fully informed of the progress made with your enquiry
or complaint
Help us to help
you
Please contact us by any of the means listed at the
top of the page, if you wish to make a complaint about health,
safety or welfare conditions in a workplace. Please have full
details ready of the premises concerned when you contact us.
Some workplaces will be the responsibility of the Health and Safety
Executive, rather than the Council, according to the nature of the
work carried out. We can advise you who the relevant 'enforcing
authority' for health and safety purposes is, when you contact us.
If you make a complaint about a workplace, we will require your
name, address and contact details so that we can keep you informed
of our progress.