Health And Safety
Man holding a briefcase with a blue background.
Information about and health and safety in Fylde.
Please select one of the options below to find out more information;
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
A basic rule of thumb is that if your business is industrial, manufacturing, production or particularly high risk you will be covered by the HSE but if you are in the service or leisure sector then Fylde Borough Council will carry out health and safety enforcement.
The purpose of this Act is to promote, stimulate and encourage high standards of health and safety at work. It protects not only all people at work- whether employers, employees or self-employed- but also the health and safety of the general public who may be affected by work activities.
Duties of employers
Employers must safeguard so far as reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of the people who work for them. This applies to the provision and maintenance of safe plant and systems or work, and covers all machinery, equipment and appliances used.
All reasonably practicable precautions must be taken in the use and handling of any substance likely to cause risk to health.
Employers need to provide information, instruction and training in safe practices. Consider specific training needs with particular reference to processes and activities with special hazards.
Provide a safe place of work including safe means of access to and egress from it. Welfare facilities and arrangements must be adequate.
Duties to others
An employer must carry out his work in such a way that it does not affect the health and safety of others i.e. other employees and members of the public.
Duties of employees
Employees must take reasonable care to avoid injury to themselves or to others by their work activities, and to co-operate with employers and others. Employees must not interfere with or misuse anything provided to protect their health, safety or welfare.
Risk Assessment
The main tool used to ensure that health and safety requirements are met is called risk assessment. Under the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulation's 1999 every business has a duty to carry out a risk assessment and if the business employs 5 or more persons then the significant findings of this risk assessment must be documented.
Employers Liability Insurance
Most employers are required by law to have employers liability insurance. As if staff become injured at work, or where employees become ill as a result of their work they may seek compensation. To enable employers to pay compensation they must take out an insurance policy.
Copies of certificates of insurance that have expired must be kept for at least 40 years.
Additional Advice
The HSE produce many useful advice leaflets covering general topics such as risk assessment, industry specific hazards and the control of generic hazards such as slips, trips and falls. Many of these are available free on the HSE website, www.hse.gov.uk.
In addition to carrying out workplace inspections, we also investigate accidents reported by the general public and offer advice on matters related to health and safety.
For further information about health and safety in the workplace, please contact us on 01253 658658 or by e-mail at commercial@fylde.gov.uk
