Business > Health and safety

Addictions
Automatic fire alarms
The local fire authority can provide advice to residents and business on the installation of automatic fire alarms and on the testing of such alarm systems following installation or any building/redecoration work undertaken in the alarmed area.
Business - council notification of new employees
Business which employ any person or persons to work in a shop or office premises are required by Section 49 of the Office Shops and Railway Premises act 1963 and the Notification of Employment of Persons order 1964 to notify the local authority.
Business - registering premises
Business premises are required to be registered with the local authority. Following an application an Officer will visit premises to check they meet health and safety guidelines and conform with local Byelaws. Premises will be inspected on a regular basis once registered.
Civil emergencies - emergency plan
The council should have an Emergency Plan in order to deliver services during a major incident which poses a threat to the welfare of the community. It is the role of the council to support the emergency services in the case of a major incident. Officers should be on call 24 hours and coordinate the councils response during a major incident.
Dangerous structures and public safety
The local authority has a responsibility to deal with buildings which have become dangerous due to old age, deterioration or settlement, or by more dramatic causes.
Environmental services - out of hours emergencies
Out of hours emergency cover to deal with environmental health problems involving serious events, fatalities, noise pollution, imminent risks to health.
Fire certificates - factories
A fire certificate is required for any premises used as factory where there are more than 20 people employed (in one or more buildings) at any one time or more than 10 people employed other than on the ground floor of the building. The local fire authority is responsible for processing applications, inspecting premises and issuing certificates.
Fire certificates - hotels and boarding houses
A fire certificate is required for any premises used as a hotel or boarding house where there is accommodation for more than 6 people. The local fire authority is responsible for inspecting premises and issuing the certificate.
Fire certificates - offices
A fire certificate is required for any office premises where there are more than 20 people employed (in one or more buildings) at any one time or more than 10 people employed other than on the ground floor of the building. The local fire authority is responsible for processing applications, inspecting premises and issuing certificates.
Fire certificates - shops
A fire certificate is required for any retail premises where there are more than 20 people employed (in one or more buildings) at any one time or more than 10 people employed other than on the ground floor of the building. The local fire authority is responsible for processing applications, inspecting premises and issuing certificates.
Fire warden
Fire safety training for employees is a legal requirement under fire legislation. The local fire brigade run courses for fire wardens and marshals on fire prevention, fire safety, use of breathing apparatus and for managers who are responsible for determining fire safety procedures.
Food business - health promotion
The local authority provides advice and information to food businesses in the local area to ensure that all food supplied is wholesome and produced in a clean, hygienic manner
Food safety - infectious disease investigation
This service investigates food poisoning and certain other food borne illnesses to prevent the spread of illness within the community and to try and establish possible causes.
Food safety - inspections
The local authority carries out regular checks on all food premises to ensure the public is protected and that high standards are maintained. Inspections take place on a frequency determined by the perceived risk in each premises and ensure that risks have been identified, staff are adequately trained and the condition and cleanliness of the premises meets required standards.
Food safety - regulations
The Food Safety Act 1990 and regulations made under it make it an offence for anyone to sell or process food for sale which is harmful to health. They also place an obligation on businesses to ensure that their activities are carried out in a hygienic way. The council is responsible for ensuring that local businesses comply with these regulations.
Health and safety - accident reporting
Employers have a duty to report certain dangerous occurrences and accidents at work to the Local Authority who will investigate any incidents. The outcome of these enquiries usually involves the giving of advice to the employer. If a blatant breach of requirements is identified as the main reason for an accident happening, then formal action will be taken.
Health and safety - construction regulations
The construction of domestic, commercial and industrial buildings are bound by fire safety requirements including safe means of escape, internal/external stability, accessibility for fire equipment, containment of smoke/fire. The local fire service inspect premises to ensure compliance with all legislation.
Health and safety - occupational health services
The council has a legal duty to enforce the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and related legislation. As part of this duty the council should ensure that work premises are safe for employees and visitors to them and that accidents are prevented wherever possible.
Health and safety - prosecutions register
The local authority will keep information on any businesses that have been prosecuted for Health and Safety breaches.
Health and safety - training courses
The local authority provide food hygiene and occupational health and safety training courses for managers and staff of local businesses. Some of the courses may also be open to members of the public.
Health and safety at work - advice and training
The local authority is responsible for carrying out routine inspection of commercial premises to ensure health and safety practices at work and also provide basic health and safety training courses.
Health and safety at work - investigation
Investigation of reports of accidents at work to ensure that the workplace is safe and that employers are not contravening health and safety regulations.
Health and safety at work - regulation and inspection
A local authority carries out regular checks on local businesses and business premises to ensure that safe and healthy working conditions are provided for all employees and visitors.
Infectious diseases - investigation
Investigation of notifications of infectious diseases such as food poisoning received from GPs, the public, businesses and other local authorities.
Licence - alcohol and entertainment
The Licensing Act 2003 amalgamates six existing licensing regimes covering the sale and supply of alcohol, the provision of regulated entertainment, the provision of late night refreshment and replaces them with a single system of premises licences. Existing licensee's already holding justices licences granted by the magistrates court and/or public entertainment, theatre, cinema, and night cafe licences granted by the local authority will be able to apply to the council to transfer those licences into the new regime being introduced by the Licensing Act 2003.
Licence - entertainment
Licence - explosives
All traders who intend to store mixed explosives must be registered, under the Explosives Act, 1875 on an annual basis. This includes car dealers/garages who deal with air bags.
Licence - food businesses
Food businesses must be registered with the local authority 28 days prior to commencement of business. Failure to register is an automatic offence under The Food Premises (Registration) Regulations 1991. Butcher shops and premises selling raw and cooked meats are subject to separate legislation..
Licence - motor salvage operator
Any person who carries on a business that involves the recovery of salvageable parts from motor vehicles and the subsequent sale or disposal for scrap of the remainder of the vehicle, or the purchase of 'written off' vehicles for repair or resale, or other related activities needs to register with their local authority. In Scotland the Road Safety Bill currently being considered by the Scottish Parliament may legislate in this area.
Licence - poisons
Registration of persons entitled to sell poisons included in part II of the poisons list. In order that a business is able to supply these types of products then it must be registered with the local authority and retained on that authorities list of persons entitled to sell poisons.
Licence - scaffolding and hoarding
Any scaffold or hoarding which encroaches or projects over the Highway requires a scaffold permit. These permits are only issued to the scaffolding company. In Scotland if you propose to occupy or open part of a road (i.e.. carriageway, footway, footpath or cycle path etc), there is a requirement under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to obtain permission from the local Roads Authority. This is done by applying for the relevant permit.
Licence - storage of fireworks
Retailers must register with or obtain a licence from their local authority before storing fireworks. The local authority is responsible for processing applications, inspections of premises where appropriate and issuing of a licence or permit to store fireworks.
Licence - storage of petroleum
Petrol filling stations and any other premises that store petrol for combustion engines must apply for a Petroleum Licence issued in terms of the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928 and associated regulations.
MOT testing
A council may provide MOT testing of vehicles where council garages have been accredited to perform tests on vehicles for local citizens and businesses in addition to council vehicles.
Needle exchange
Trading standards - education
Trading standards and food safety officers may offer talks to schools, groups and businesses promoting consumer rights and food safety awareness.
Workplace regulations
The local fire authority provides advice to employers on current fire regulations, fire prevention and safety in the workplace.