workingtogetherYourcouncil’sroleinhealthandsafetyregulationCouncillors’HandbookYourcouncil’sroleinhealthandsafetyregulation2Yourcouncil’sroleinhealthandsafetyregulation3IntroductionCouncilsareresponsibleforregulatinghealthandsafetyinoveramillionworkplaces,employingaroundhalftheBritishworkforce.TheHealthandSafetyExecutive(HSE)isresponsiblefortherest.Healthandsafetyatworkinvolvesallofuswhetherasemployers,employeesormembersofthepublic,visitingorworkinginshops,offices,pubs,cinemasorresidentialcarehomes.Itshouldthereforefeatureprominentlyincouncils’corporateplans.EverydistrictandunitarycouncilinGreatBritainhasastatutorydutyunderSection18oftheHealthandSafetyatWorketcAct1974toensureitmakesadequateprovisionforhealthandsafetyregulationinitsarea.CouncillorsaredirectlyinvolvedinthegovernancearrangementsforhealthandsafetyregulationinGreatBritainthroughtheLocalGovernmentPanel(LGP).TheLGPismadeupofseniorcouncillorsnominatedthroughthelocalgovernmentassociations(LGA,WLGAandCOSLA).ItmeetstheHSEBoard(whohaveoverallresponsibilityforhealthandsafetyinGreatBritain)regularlytodiscussstrategicissuesforlocalandcentralgovernmentinrelationtohealthandsafetyregulation.BelowisasnapshotofthesectorsoverseenbylocalcouncilsandHSE.LocalcouncilhealthandsafetyregulatoryofficersShopsOffices(exceptgovernmentoffices)HotelsRestaurantsLeisureactivitiesNurseriesClubbuildingsMuseumsPlacesofworshipShelteredaccommodation/carehomesPubsandclubsWarehousesBanks/buildingsocietiesHSEinspectorsFactoriesFarmsBuildingsitesNuclearinstallationsMinesSchools/collegesFairgroundsGas/electricity/watersystemsHospitalsNursinghomesGovernmentpremisesTransportsystemsYourcouncil’sroleinhealthandsafetyregulation4Councillors’checklistUsethechecklisttofindoutmoreabouthowhealthandsafetyregulationcanhelpyourcounciltomeetnationalperformancemeasuresandimprovepeople’slives.RolesandresponsibilitiesYes/NoDoyouknowwhichportfolioholderhasresponsibilityforhealthandsafetyregulation?Haveyouseenserviceplansandperformancereportsforhealthandsafetyregulation?Doyouknowhowmanyhealthandsafetyregulatoryofficersyouemploy?PremisesandaccidentsYes/NoAreyouawareofhowmanypremisesyourcouncilregulatesunderhealthandsafetylegislation?Doyouknowhowmanyaccidentsatworkyourcouncilinvestigatedinthelastyear?Areyourlocalworkplaceaccident/ill-healthratesincreasing?PrioritiesandtargetsDoyouknowhowhealthandsafetycancontributetomeetingnationalperformanceindicators?Havecouncilresourcescommittedtohealthandsafetyregulationincreasedoverthelastthreeyears?Arethereanyhealthandsafetyregulatorytargetssetbyyourcouncil?TakingactionHasthecontributionofimprovedhealthandsafetybeenrecognisedinyourcorporateplans?Isyourcouncilmaking‘adequatearrangements’forhealthandsafetyregulation?DoesyourhealthandsafetyregulatoryteamundertakepartnershipworkwithHSEorcouncils?Hasyourcounciladoptedtheprinciplesofsensiblerisk?Yourcouncil’sroleinhealthandsafetyregulation5Yourcouncil’sroleinhealthandsafetyregulationImprovinghealthandsafetyAdvisingbusinessonlegalrequirements■Projectinitiativeswithlocalstakeholders■Sector/industry-wideinitiatives■Provisionoftraining■Partnershipapproachwithbusiness,■othercouncilsandHSEEducationandawareness■Workingwiththoseatrisk■Inspectionandenforcement■Identificationandcommunication■ofbestbusinesspracticeContributingtolocalcouncilstrategiesegcrimeprevention,health,s...
