- How can I get more information on health and safety regulations?
A good first point of contact is the Health and Safety Executive website
which can be found at www.hse.gov.uk where
you can find downloadable leaflets and other information by using the A-Z
index. Alternatively you can phone the HSE Info Line on 08701 545500. You can
also get some leaflets and guidance notes from the Health and Safety team of
this Council, email ehealth@easthants.gov.uk .
- How do I carry out a risk assessment?
Risk assessment is nothing more than a careful examination of what, in work
activities, could cause harm to people and the likelihood of it happening. By
carrying out a risk assessment, you can evaluate whether enough precautions
have been taken or if more needs to be done to prevent harm. The aim is to make
sure that no one gets hurt or becomes ill.
Guidance is given in the HSE booklet "Five steps to risk assessments"
available from this office or the HSE at www.hsebooks.co.uk and on the website
www.hse.gov.uk.
e-mail ehealth@easthants.gov.uk
Employers have a legal duty to carry out risk assessments. This is a
provision of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
Accidents and ill health can ruin lives, and affect your business too if
output is lost.
- How do I make a complaint about my workplace?
The Council's Health and Safety Team occasionally receive complaints about
workplace conditions and they carry out visits to investigate them. If the
complaint is justified, the employer will be required to rectify any
deficiencies found.
The identity of the complainant is not disclosed except in exceptional
circumstances such as court hearings etc.
- How do I report an accident at work?
Accidents at work need to be reported to the Incident Contact Centre (ICC).
The quickest way is by telephone on 0845 300 9923, Fax on 0845 300 9924 or by
email at riddor@natbrit.com.
- The following accidents or cases of ill health at work must be reported to
the Incident Contact Centre as soon as possible:
Fatalities, major injuries (broken bones), electric shocks, unconsciousness,
violence at work, stress, minor injuries resulting in more than 3 days off
work.
All fatalities and major injuries must also be verbally reported to EHDC
immediately.
- How many toilets must be provided in a workplace?
For 1-5 workers 1 WC is sufficient, for 6-25 workers 2 WCs are needed, for
26-50 workers 3 WCs are needed and for 51-75 workers 4 WCs are needed.
E-mail: ehealth@easthants.gov.uk
This standard originates from the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare)
Regulations 1992.
- I am a pregnant worker. Do I need to take precautions at work?
When an employer is advised by an employee that she is pregnant, the
employer is required by law to carry out a specific risk assessment to
establish whether her work presents a danger to the mother and baby.
The employer must inform the employee of any changes that need to be made in
the light of the assessment findings. The employer also has a duty to provide
facilities for pregnant women and nursing mothers to rest. This should
be situated close to toilets and include the facility to lie down.
e-mail ehealth@easthants.gov.uk
- I am working too many hours, what does the law say on this?
The regulations are quite complex. There is a general limit of not more
than 48 hours a week although workers can choose to work more hours if they
want to.
For more detailed free guidance on how the regulations apply in practice, a
booklet entitled "A Guide on the Working Time Regulations" is available from
the HSE or from the health and safety team.
e-mail ehealth@easthants.gov.uk
- I am worried about my young son or daughter at work.
There are a number of pieces of legislation concerning the employment of
children and young persons. This is designed to protect their health and
safety. Employers must assess the risks from work activities to ensure that
children and young persons are not at risk.
e-mail ehealth@easthants.gov.uk
Regulations state that every employer shall, before employing a child,
provide a parent of the child with comprehensible and relevant information on
the risks to his/her health and safety identified by the assessment and the
preventive and protective measures taken. In addition Hampshire County Council
have issued by-laws on the Employment of Children. This covers the hours of
work and conditions of child employment. A "child" is someone under minimum
school leaving age. A "young person" is someone who has left school but is
under eighteen.
- I have found what I think is asbestos, what do I do?
It is recommended that, if it is undamaged and unlikely to be disturbed,
material containing asbestos should be left in place, if necessary sealing it
with paint or plastic film. If asbestos is likely to be disturbed or removed
because of building alterations then there are very strict laws that govern
this work which must be complied with.
If you own, occupy, manage or have responsibilities for business premises
which may contain asbestos, you have a legal duty to manage the risk from this
material.
Further detailed information with links to the legislation concerning
asbestos can be found on our Health & Safety website via the Council's main
web page.
e-mail ehealth@easthants.gov.uk
- My computer screen is giving me headaches
Headaches may result from prolonged work at a computer and can be caused
by:
Screen glare, poor image quality, a need for different spectacles, stress from
the place of work, anxiety about new technology, reading the screen for long
periods without a break, and poor posture. Employers have a duty to assess the
risks from display screen work in order to identify any shortcomings which may
cause these sort of problems. Initially you should address this with your
employer directly.
For further information contact: www.hse.gov.uk or e-mail
ehealth@easthants.gov.uk
There is no evidence that VDUs can cause disease or permanent damage to
eyes. However long spells of VDU work can lead to tired eyes and discomfort.
Work with VDUs may make you aware of an eyesight problem you had not noticed
before. Ensure your VDU is well positioned and properly adjusted. Ensure the
lighting is suitable. If you still think that there is a problem ask for an eye
test. Your employer is required to pay for one if VDU work is your main
activity.
- What is the maximum / minimum temperature for my work place?
There are minimum temperature requirements in law. It should be at least 16
degrees Celsius unless much of the work involves severe physical effort in
which case the temperature should be at least 13 degrees Celsius.
There is no laid down maximum temperature for the workplace. However, if it
is affecting employees health then an employer must do something - air
conditioning, opening windows, screening windows, plenty of water to be made
available etc.
These requirements are taken from the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare)
Regulations 1992 and the Approved Code of Practice.
Further information is available from www.hse.gov.uk
E-mail: ehealth@easthants.gov.uk
- Where can I have health and safety training?
Health and safety courses are frequently provided at further education
colleges, which can be found in most areas. Alton College runs a Foundation
Health and Safety course, usually every other month, which is often taught by a
member of our Health and Safety Team. Alton College contact number is: 01420
592211/10
The cost of the course is about £45.
e-mail ehealth@easthants.gov.uk
It is a legal requirement that employers train their employees in health
and safety.
- Where can I obtain a health & safety law poster?
The poster can be obtained from the Health and Safety Team at East Hampshire
District Council at a cost of £7.50.
It is also available from HSE Books in Sudbury, Suffolk. Tel: 01787
881165.
e-mail ehealth@easthants.gov.uk
The poster is plastic laminated, very durable and has spaces for health and
safety information which must be filled in correctly. There is also an
equivalent leaflet which can be given out to employees. This may be more
convenient for employers with only one or two part time staff.
It is a legal requirement for employers to either display an approved Health
& Safety Law poster or to provide employees with the equivalent
leaflet.
- Who is the enforcing authority for health and safety in my premises?
Health and safety regulations are either enforced by local
authorities or the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) depending on the nature of
your workplace. Fire safety issues are dealt with by Hampshire Fire and Rescue
Service.
If your premises is in this district and you are an office,
shop, hairdresser, hotel, care home, public house, takeway, restaurant,
warehouse, tyre and exhaust fitter or a sports facility then EHDC is the
enforcing authority (there are a few others).
The HSE enforce construction, demolition, factories, hospitals, farms, some
transport, and schools and colleges (plus a few other areas). They can be
contacted on 01256 404000.