Did you know
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires you to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of yourself and others who may be affected by what you do or fail to do. You have duties towards people who:
- work for you, including casual workers, part-timers, trainees, volunteers and subcontractors
- use workplaces you provide (if you are a landlord, for example)
- are allowed to use your equipment
- visit your premises (customers or contractors)
- may be affected by your work (your neighbours, the public and other work people)
- use products you make, supply or import
- use your professional services (if you are, say, a designer)
Did you know by law?
- you must display certain documents, for example an Employer's Liability Certificate (Compulsory Insurance) and a Health and Safety placard
- there are controls on working hours of young people (16 & 17-year-old)
- children (under 16 years of age) are generally prohibited from working in industrial activities and there are also restrictions on the part-time employment of children in other jobs
- some jobs require specified protective clothing or equipment, or specified standards of health
- Regulation 6 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regs. requires employers to appoint `competent persons' to assist them in developing protective and preventive measures. In appointing a competent person, however, employers do not rid themselves of their responsibility for health and safety.
- safety representatives must be allowed to investigate accidents and potential hazards, pursue employee complaints and carry out inspections of the workplace. They are entitled to information and to paid time off for their health and safety role.
- you need to give employees access to appropriate information and formal training in health and safety.
- that all employers and self-employed persons must have a health and safety policy. If you have 5 or more employees, you must have a written safety policy which sets out the organisation and arrangements for carrying it out.
- that you must assess the risk to yourself and employees of all hazardous activities.
- that Manual Handling training is a legal requirement for all staff.
- the Working Time Regulations 1998 aim to reduce the excessive hours worked by staff. The regulations specify a maximum average working week of 48 hours, and this represents a limit beyond which no member of staff should be expected to work on a regular basis.
- that you are required to carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment of all substances classified as hazardous.
- that it shall be the duty of the employer and every employee, respectively, to take reasonable care for the health and safety of himself and of other persons who may be affected by his acts or omissions at work.
- as of April '04 you will be responsible for completing a Fire Risk Assessment for your premises / activities.
These salient points are by no means exhaustive, the list goes on. However, there is no need to feel overwhelmed, help is at hand, please call Minos Services on: 07837574863 - we provide an intelligent, no-fuss practical approach towards all your health and safety concerns and requirements.