Health and Safety at work

Health and Safety at work

Health and safety at work is usually the concern of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which enforces the UK legislation and regulations aimed at keeping employees safe and healthy at work. If you’re worried that your employer is taking risks and that you haven’t been provided with a safe and healthy working environment, talk to the workplace safety representative of your union; if no union exists, you can get information from the HSE. You can check out your rights on the HSE web site at www.hse.gov.uk

If you’re setting up a business, you can get help with health and safety issues before you take on staff. The HSE Infoline is a valuable source of information: 0845-345-0055.

Environmental Health Officers also deal with workplace health and safety issues – in particular, for shops, leisure centres, pubs restaurant, and hotels. If you have a problem with food in a restaurant or with noisy neighbours – including noisy workplaces nearby – they also deal with that issue. You can contact your Environmental Health Department at your local authority. You can find the contact details in the phone book under the name of your local authority.