Health and Safety law is enforced either by our Environmental Health Team, or by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), depending on the type of workplace.
This page lists the workplaces we are responsible for and those where the HSE have responsibility.
HSE's responsibilities
HSE is responsible for enforcing health and safety at workplaces including:
- factories
- farms
- building / construction sites
- mines
- schools and colleges
- fairgrounds
- gas, electricity and water systems
- hospitals and nursing homes
- central and local government premises
- offshore installations
Oldham Council’s responsibilities
We have responsibility for enforcing health and safety at workplaces including:
- offices (except government offices)
- shops
- hotels
- restaurants
- leisure premises (gyms and swimming pools)
- nurseries and playgroups
- pubs and clubs
- museums (privately owned)
- places of worship
- sheltered accommodation and care homes
Inspections and visits
Where appropriate, and in line with the National Local Authority Enforcement Code, We target and inspect workplaces:
- in sectors which have the most serious risks
- where we have information and intelligence that health and safety is a significant concern, such as:
- previous visits and performance
- concerns raised by workers, the public or others
- incident investigations
- reports of injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences
How we carry out inspections
We may arrive to a workplace without warning. This isn’t unusual. We don’t always tell people we’re coming, and the law lets us visit at any reasonable time. It also allows us to come into the workplace to carry out the inspection.
When we inspect we:
- speak to relevant people, for example managers, supervisors, workers and employee representatives
- observe a sample of workplace activities, conditions and practices
- assess relevant documents, if necessary
- check whether risk controls are effective
- identify any breaches of the law
- consider appropriate enforcement
Enforcement
If we find a problem during an inspection, we may deal with it by giving advice, right through to serving a legal notice for more serious issues. Whatever action we take will be in line with our Corporate Enforcement Policy.
Complaints
We aim to work closely with all businesses to provide a fair and consistent health and safety relationship. If you feel that you have been treated unfairly by our staff and wish to complain please write to:
Environmental Health Manager
Commercial Protection,
Chadderton Town Hall,
Middleton Road, Chadderton
Oldham OL9 6PP
Independent Regulatory Challenge Panel
If you should remain unhappy after discussing the issue with us, the HSE also operate an Independent Regulatory Challenge Panel.
The panel will look into issues raised by a business where they believe an officer has given advice that is incorrect or disproportionate. It will not look at issues where other independent appeals processes exist, such as for enforcement notices or prosecutions.