Health and safety is about doing all you can to prevent people (ourselves, other workers or the public) from being harmed by work or becoming ill through work.
Health and safety law applies to all organisations and businesses, however small. It covers employees (full or part-time, temporary or permanent), sub-contractors, trainees, volunteers.
Local councils are responsible for the enforcement of health and safety law by smaller organisations and business, including shops, cafes, private care homes and nurseries. Their website should have information about your health and safety responsibilities.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are responsible for public sector organisations (e.g. schools, hospitals and nursing homes) and some commercial premises (e.g. factories).
Where to go for information
- All local council contact details are on COSLA’s website
- Health and Safety Executive (HSE): their website has some particularly useful sections: