Health and Safety at work is chiefly concerned with the prevention of injury or disease to people at work and those who visit the workplace.
Legal responsibilities are placed on employers, including the self-employed, employees and manufacturers of equipment, as well as those who fit and maintain it.
In Northern Ireland, Local Authorities are responsible for enforcing this legislation in premises where the following activities take place. Other premises are dealt with by DED Health and Safety Enforcement Division.
Local Authority Enforcement
a) Sale or storage of goods for retail or wholesale distribution, with certain exceptions
b) Display or demonstration of goods at exhibitions
c) Office activities
d) Catering services
e) Provision of permanent or temporary residential accommodation including caravan and camping sites
f) Provision of consumer services in a shop with certain exceptions
g) Coin operated launderettes and similar cleaning premises
h) Cosmetic and therapeutic treatments with certain exceptions
i) Various leisure activities, including entertainment and other cultural or recreational activities
j) Hiring of pleasure craft on inland waters
k) Care, treatment, accommodation or exhibition of animals, with certain exceptions
l) Undertaking activities except embalming or coffin making
m) Church worship or religious meetings
n) Provision of car parking facilities within airport perimeters
o) Provision of childcare, playgroup or nursery facilities.
General Duties
Employers must ensure so far as is reasonably practicable the health, safety and welfare of all employees.
In addition where more than four people are employed, a written statement must be produced outlining the policy of the company and the method used to meet these duties. (Health and Safety at Work (NI) Order 1978).
Risk Assessment
Employers must assess the risks to employees and other people who would be affected while at work. Measures to control these risks must be established to meet legal requirements. (Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (NI) 1992).
Structures and Equipment
Minimum standards for buildings, equipment and cleanliness, comfort and meals must be met.
(Workplace (Health and Safety at Work) Regulations (NI) 1993)
(Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (NI) 1993).
Moving and Lifting Goods
Where anything is moved by physical strength, an assessment must be made of the load, the person and the hazard to ensure that no risk is present. (Manual Handling Operations Regulations (NI) 1992).
Accidents and Injuries
The effect of a serious injury to a key staff member can have a profound effect on a small business.
To allow monitoring of such incidents, certain types of accidents or occurrence must be reported. These are:
· Death;
· Any fracture, other than to the fingers, thumbs or toes;
· Any amputation;
· Dislocation of the shoulder, hip, knee or spine;
· Loss of sight (whether temporary or permanent);
· A chemical or hot metal burn to the eye or any penetrating injury to the eye.
Any injury resulting from an electric shock or electrical burn (including any electrical burn caused by arcing or arcing products) leading to unconsciousness or requiring resuscitation or admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours.
Any other injury:
· Leading to hypothermia, heat-induced illness or to unconsciousness;
· Requiring resuscitation; or
· Requiring admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours;
· Loss of consciousness caused by asphyxia or by exposure to a harmful substance or biological agent.
· Either of the following conditions which result from the absorption of any substance by inhalation, ingestion or through the skin –
- Acute illness requiring medical treatment; or
- Loss of consciousness.
· Acute illness which requires medical treatment where there is reason to believe that this resulted from exposure to a biological agent or its toxins or infected material.
Hazardous Substances
Employers must assess the risks which might arise from the use of chemicals (Control of Substances hazardous to Health Regulations (NI) 1990). Most of this information can be obtained from the label on the container or from data sheets available from the supplier. You must also assess the effects of the procedure involved and take whatever precautions are necessary to avoid harmful effects. Advice can usually be obtained from the supplier or manufacturer.
Further general advice can be obtained from your local Environmental Health Department. Guidance and advice notes can be obtained from the Health & Safety Agency, 83 Ladas Drive, Belfast, BT6 9FR (Telephone N (028) 9024 3249) or at http://www.hseni.gov.uk/