Health and Safety - Investigations

Summary

 

All workplaces can be subject to inspection or investigation by the health and safety enforcing authorities

 

Eligibility

 

All employers, employees, workplaces and members of the public.

 

Procedure

 

Enforcing the Law
Health and Safety law is enforced by Health and Safety Executive Inspectors or appointed officers from the Local Authority. In our case the officers are from Regulatory Services.Inspections of workplaces can take place at any reasonable time and without prior notice. Sometimes we make appointments for first visits. If an inspector calls and you are in any doubt, they all carry identification which you are entitled to see.

Why Do We Inspect/investigate?
We visit your premises for various reasons. It may be a routine inspection, part of a special survey, an accident investigation or as a result of a complaint.

What Happens During A Visit?
Inspectors have a right to enter the premises at any reasonable time or when they suspect there may be a particular problem. They are entitled to assistance and to have their questions answered. During the visit they are legally entitled to talk to employees, and safety representatives, take samples, photographs and if necessary, confiscate items. Our inspectors may ask to see documentation such as safety policies, risk assessments, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) assessments and accident books. At the end of the inspection the inspector will inform you of their findings and what further action, if any, he/ she will be taking.

If something is found to be wrong the inspector may use a number of courses of action to resolve the matter. The inspector may write to the business providing advice and assistance. The letter will make clear if the advice is a legal requirement or good practice.
If there is a legal contravention the inspector may serve an Improvement Notice. This requires specific improvements within a specified time.
If the inspector considers there is a serious and imminent danger to health and safety he/ she may serve a Prohibition Notice that prevents you from carrying out the process or using the equipment.

The action taken will depend on the severity of the problem and past record of the business. However, inspectors may decide to prosecute if the problem is serious enough. This may lead to fines up to £20,000 in a Magistrates Court. In Crown Courts higher penalties including prison sentences can be imposed

 

Helplines

 

Regulatory Services, Health and Safety Team: 01226 773860/1 e-mail: healthandsafety@barnsley.gov.uk

Health and Safety Executive: 0114 2912300

 

Charges/Fees

 

No charges or fees are applicable

 

Opening Times/Locations

 

Opening times and location map, click link for further information.

 

How the customer can help

 

• Speak to health and safety professionals including local inspectors.
• Employ somebody, or have a current employee trained to a suitable level where they are competent to provide Health and Safety advice
• Try to keep up with developments by reading magazines, articles etc, or using the many sites on the internet, see Associated Links

 

Leaflets

 

• Health and Safety Regulation....... A Shortguide: HSC13 (Rev1).
• What to expect when a Health and Safety inspector call: HSC14.

 

Distribution Points

 

Leaflets are available from our offices (see Opening Times/Locations)

 

Or from HSE:

HSE Books,
PO Box 1999,
Sudbury,
Suffolk,
CO10 2WA.

01787 881165 or Health and Safety Executive link to free leaflets and download

Stationary Office Book Shops

 

Legislation

 

Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

 

Response Times/Next Steps

 

Requests for advice will be responded to within 5 working days

 

Owner Officer Contact Details

 

Principal Officer,
Food Hygiene/Health and Safety,
3rd Floor,
Central Offices,
Kendray Street,
Barnsley,
S70 2TN.

You can also complete our online form to report a problem on  Health and Safety at Work

 

Related Links:

• Health and Safety Executive
• HSE Enforcement Policy