Health & Safety

Health and safety legislation is put in place to ensure that employers are preventing injury and illness in the workplace and that people can go to work without fear for their own health.

As specialist health and safety consultants, we review and advise on policy and working practices for organisations of all kinds and sizes. But our work is about far more than rules and regulations.

It’s about making people feel safe and looked after, which in turn makes for a happier workplace. Numerous studies show that when employees feel happy and cared for, productivity increases, while downtime and absenteeism fall.

According to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, as an employer you are responsible for protecting the safety of your employees while they are at work, and preventing potential dangers in the workplace.

Effective health and safety legislation can prevent the kind of incidents that lead to costly legal action, not to mention the reputations of senior managers and board directors, who may be found personally liable.

Our health & safety services:

Health and Safety Audits for Businesses
Health and Safety Policies and Risk Assessments
Health and Safety Advice and Consultancy
Accident & Near Miss Investigations
Assessment of Contractors and Sub Contractors
Site Inspections and reports
Development of Construction Phase Plans
Guidance Through Formal Accreditation Processes (such as CHAS, SafeContractor, Constructionline and other SSIP Safety Schemes in Procurement registered organisation)
Retained Competent Health & Safety Service

We work with major multinationals and SME’s, and are as happy helping small businesses with compliance as we are advising the powers-that-be on changes to the CDM 2015 regulations.

Health & Safety Legislation Applying to All Employers

The main purpose of health and safety legislation is to make sure employers and employees are not putting themselves in danger while at work. They also protect any members of the public from danger if they are coming into your workplace. These procedures also govern the wellbeing of your workforce such as how long an employee can work for before a break. The core health and safety policies that apply to all businesses no matter the size are the following;

Health and Safety for Employees Regulation 1989 – ensuring health and safety information is given to all employees of your organisation.

Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977 – the establishment of health and safety committees and representatives.
Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996 – if a trade union isn’t in place you should consult with employees.
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 – employers must assess the health and safety risk to employees affected by work activities.
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 – employers or occupiers of a building must make effective fire safety management risks.
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 – ensure safe installation and maintenance of all electrical systems within your workplace.
Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 – place duty on the employer to make arrangements for first aid in the workplace, based on your workplace activities.

This is just some of the core health and safety legislation that you will need to follow when setting up a new business location. This should also be followed whether you are entering newly built premises or even if you are taking over a pre-existing premises. As leading health and safety consultants we can help you in this process so make sure you get in touch!