Health & safety law enforcement is split between the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and local authorities, dependent upon type of premises. This division of responsibilities can be complex but in general local authorities deal with:
- Retail premises
- Warehousing
- Transport undertakings
- Hotels
- Residential care homes
- Leisure complexes
- Personal services (e.g. body piercing)
- Offices
- Safety of sports grounds.
Purpose of health and safety interventions
The primary responsibility for controlling health and safety within the workplace rests with the employer of the business however Environmental Health Officers visit various workplaces to check compliance with health and safety legislation and to give advice.
Planning Interventions
Proactive inspections are programmed annually based on the HSE’s national priorities.
In conjunction with inspections of workplaces we carry out ‘initiative work’ based around the HSE’s Help Great Britain Work Well Strategy and other local priorities. The team work with other North Wales and All Wales Authorities to identify and target similar workplace safety and health initiatives.
Whilst many of these initiatives are based on advice and guidance for businesses, where breaches of health and safety law are identified and people are at risk we will take appropriate enforcement action.
The Independent Regulatory Challenge Panel
The independent regulatory challenge panel will look into complaints regarding advice given by HSE or Local Authority Inspectors about health and safety which you think is incorrect or goes beyond what is required to control the risk adequately.
The Panel will consist of independent members who will have the competence and experience to assess advice that has been given on regulatory matters.
Before you raise an issue with the panel, you should have first tried to resolve the matter with the relevant Inspector and their manager at Conwy Council.