Health & Safety at Work Enforcement

The main duties of the Environmental Health Section in the enforcement of health and safety law include:

• Carrying out inspections of workplaces to ensure risks are being effectively controlled and managed to prevent accidents and ill-health.
• Investigating reports of accidents, dangerous occurrences and occupational diseases.
• Investigating complaints about working conditions or work practices from employees or members of the public.
• Responding to requests for advice and guidance from employers and workers.

Workplace health and safety refers to the right of all employees to be able to carry out their work in a healthy and safe environment. The Environmental Health Section is committed to working in partnership with businesses, workers and trade unions towards achieving high standards of workplace health and safety.

The Health and Safety Enforcement Policy (PDF)  (7 pages, 106 Kb) adopted by the Council provides more information on the health and safety function, including details of the types of enforcement action taken when serious breaches of legislation are found.