Health and Safety - Regulation and Inspection

Hartlepool Borough Council carries out regular checks on offices, shops, warehouses, places used for leisure activities and other non-industrial premises.  (The Health and Safety Executive deals with factories and other industrial operations).  This ensures that safe and healthy working conditions are provided for all employees, the self-employed and members of the public visiting these premises.

As with food safety, inspections are carried out on a routine basis without prior notification and high risk premises are visited more frequently.

During an inspection, officers will need to be satisfied that any hazards to people's health, safety and welfare, which arise out of or in connection with work have been identified and the associated risks adequately controlled. They will look at the level of health and safety training of managers and employees to ensure that it is suitable. Checks will also be made on the adequacy of structural and environmental conditions and that plant and equipment are safe.

Where work practices or conditions fall short of what is regarded as satisfactory every attempt will be made to resolve the situation by informal means, but if this is not possible, or if the danger posed gives rise to a risk of serious personal injury, then officers will resort to formal action.

This could involve either the service of a legal notice, prosecution, or in situations where serious personal injury could arise, a prohibition notice requiring immediate action.  For more information see Hartlepool Borough Council's Enforcement Policy.

The leaflet What to expect when a health and safety inspector calls provides a brief guide for businesses, employees and their representatives. More information on Health and Safety Legislation and topics can be found on the Health and Safety Executive Website