Q. Does my computer require checking, and am I entitled to free eye tests?
If you habitually use a computer or VDU (Visual Display Unit) at work, then your employers will need to carry out a workstation assessment which will look in detail at the equipment, furniture, work environment and the task which you are undertaking. Special needs of the individual should be incorporated in the assessment, and any problems which are identified should be actioned. Employees can ask their employer to provide and pay for eye and eyesight tests. For more information on this, please contact the Health & Safety Team based at Chadderton Town Hall, Middleton Road, Chadderton, Oldham, OL9 6PP. Tel: 0161 770 2244.
Q. Does my employer have to provide me with a place to rest and eat meals?
Under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, suitable and sufficient rest facilities must be provided at readily accessible places. The facilities must be kept clean, and an adequate supply of drinking water must also be provided.
Q. I use chemicals at work, what precautions do I need to take?
The employer of the business has to control exposure to hazardous substances to prevent ill health by complying with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH). A COSHH assessment must be carried out which should assess any risks, and identify measures needed to control exposure and establish good working practices. A control measure may include the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the form of gloves, aprons, masks etc.
Q. What is a Health and Safety Law Poster?
This is a poster which has to be displayed in all workplaces. This poster outlines Health & Safety Law, and will also have details on it as to who your local enforcement authority is, who may be contacted regarding information and complaints. This poster can be obtained from most good bookshops or health & safety equipment suppliers.
Q. I am starting a new business, do I need to let anyone know?
As of 1st April 2009 there is no longer a legal requirement to register your business. However, please contact the Health & Safety Team based at Chadderton Town Hall, Middleton Road, Chadderton, Oldham, OL9 6PP to enable us to take your details and update our systems. Tel: 0161 770 2244.
Q. If I want to start undertaking skin piercing, tattooing, acupuncture, or electrolysis, what am I required to do?
Premises where “Special Treatments” are carried out need to be licensed under the Greater Manchester Act 1981 and the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, as amended by the Local Government Act 2003 (for which there is a charge). Conditions need to be safe and hygienic and often practitioners need to prove that they are properly qualified. Please contact our Health & Safety Team for further advice on 0161 770 2244.
Q. If I want to operate a hair dressing salon and/or a barber shop, what am I required to do?
Premises where persons are carrying on the trade or business of hairdressing or barber must be registered under the Greater Manchester Act 1981 (there is no charge for this). Please contact our Health & Safety Team for further advice on 0161 770 2244.
Q. I run a small business. Am I required to undertake Risk Assessments?
Yes. The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require all employers and the self employed to carry out risk assessments. If you employ 5 or more people then a written record must be made of the significant risks to employees or others, and the procedures in place to guard against those risks.
This is an assessment of the hazards in the workplace which could cause harm to people. It also requires you to assess whether enough precautions are being taken to reduce the risks. Risk assessments are formulated in 5 easy steps:
A free leaflet and information and advice can be obtained from the Health & Safety Team based at Chadderton Town Hall, Middleton Road, Chadderton, Oldham, OL9 6PP. Tel: 0161 770 2244.
Q. Is there a minimum or maximum temperature in workplaces?
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 state that the temperature in all workplaces should be reasonable and a thermometer should be available for persons at work to determine the temperature. The approved code of practice declares that the minimum temperature should be at least 16°C, but where much of the work involves physical effort, such as in a warehouse 13°C is acceptable. No maximum temperature is defined.
Q. As an employer, do I have to provide first aid facilities for my employees?
The Health & Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require you to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel to enable first aid to be given to employees if they are injured or become ill at work. Lower risk businesses may only require an appointed person whose task is to take charge of the first aid kit and call an ambulance if someone becomes injured. Larger companies will require qualified first aiders, depending on the risks involved with the business and the number of people employed.
Q. If my Company has a cooling tower, do I need to let you know?
Yes. You are required to register under the Notification of Cooling Towers and Evaporative Condensers Regulations 1992 every cooling tower and evaporative condenser. The Notification forms should be sent to the Local Authority. Companies should undertake risk assessments regarding their cooling tower/evaporative condenser and the associated risks of Legionnella under COSHH.
Q. Who inspects my company for Health & Safety?
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and Local Authority have agreed which business each party will enforce and inspect. Most high risk premises will be inspected by the HSE, which usually includes, factories, agriculture, construction business. The lower risk premises such as offices, shops and warehouses will be inspected by Environmental Health Officers from the Local Authority. If you would like more information, please contact the Health & Safety Team based at Chadderton Town Hall, Middleton Road, Chadderton, Oldham, OL9 6PP. Tel: 0161 770 2244.
Q. How often will I be inspected for Health & Safety?
The frequency of inspection is determined by the activities taking place on the site. A lower risk premise may be inspected every 5 years, where a higher risk premise such as those using Fork Lift Trucks, will be visited every year.
Q. What are the most common causes of accidents?
These are outlined by the Health & Safety Commission as:
This authority is trying to reduce accidents in these areas by targeting these subjects on inspections.
RIDDOR stands for Reporting of Injuries Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations. RIDDOR requires employers, the self employed or those in control of work premises to report some work-related accidents, diseases and dangerous occurrences. These include:
For more information or a free leaflet, please contact the Health & Safety Team based at Chadderton Town Hall, Middleton Road, Chadderton, Oldham, OL9 6PP. Tel: 0161 770 2244.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fibre. There are three types of asbestos; Chrysotile, amosite and crocidolite, or white, brown and blue asbestos respectively. For more information on asbestos please look at our Asbestos Factsheet or the Health and Safety Executive’s website.
Asbestos, such as pipe/boiler lagging and asbestos insulation board, should only be removed by a licensed specialist contractor . A list of contractors can be found in yellow pages.
If however you have a small amount of asbestos in good condition or an asbestos cement garage, you can remove it yourself, but before you begin obtain advice from the Local Authority (Tel: 0161 770 2244) or the Health & Safety Executive (Tel: 0161 952 8200).
Asbestos waste can be taken to one of the civic amenity sites and placed in the asbestos skips. The two local civic amenity sites are:
Note: There is a height restriction at both site entrances of 5’9”
Q. If I have an accident at work, what do I do, and who do I tell?
If you have been involved in an accident at work, you will need to let your first aider / appointed person know, and the accident book will need to be filled in. If your accident is reportable under RIDDOR, your employer will need to inform the National Incident Reporting Centre:
Address: Incident Contact Centre, Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly, CF83 3GG
Telephone: 0845 300 9923
Fax: 0845 300 9924
E-mail: riddor@connaught.plc.uk
Internet: http://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/
9 FEBRUARY 2010/PW/TP/EPS