An introduction to health and safety at work
Health and safety is all about preventing people from being harmed by work or becoming ill as a result of work by taking the right precautions. There are laws which require all of us not to put ourselves or others in danger. They also protect the public from workplace hazards. All businesses as well as employees and the self employed are covered by these laws.
The laws are enforced by Health and Safety Inspectors.Depending on what your business is involved with, the inspector will be from either Environmental Services at Mid Beds District Council or from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).Broadly speaking it will be:
- Environmental Services in offices, shops, warehouses, hotels and catering and leisure services.
- HSE at factories, farms, and building sites.
The inspectors visit workplaces to check that the rules are being observed. Normally they would expect to look at the workplace, the work activities and the management arrangements for health and safety.They also investigate accidents and complaints but mainly they are there to help you understand your responsibilities. Inspectors have the right to enter any workplace with or without notice. They can take enforcement action but only normally do so when something is seriously wrong.
Reporting Accidents and Dangerous Occurrences
Employers have a duty under The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR) to notify the Health and Safety Executive of accidents and dangerous occurrences that occur in relation of their business activities. The online form for notifications, and the associated guidance.
If you require further information please contact Environmental Services at Mid Beds District Council on 08452-304040 or at customer.services@midbeds.gov.uk.
Information can also be obtained from the Health and Safety Executive, Luton Area Office on 01582 444200. Their website is www.hse.gov.uk
The Health and Safety Executive hold a public register of prosecutions taken for breaches of health and safety legislation. If you would like to view this register then please click here.
We have produced a Health and Safety (as a regulator) Service Plan, which provides a clear statement of enforcement policy and practice as well as detailing the Council's aims and objectives for the enforcement of health and safety. It also sets out arrangements for ensuring consistent good practice and for benchmarking performance against other local authorities. If you would like to view this document please click on the appropriate download on this page.
Please click here if you would like to make a complaint or request a service online
* Download Health and Safety Service Plan 2008-2009 (application/pdf; 189kb)
