Health and Safety
Key link

Health and Safety Executive - www.hse.gov.uk
Health and Safety
Health and Safety in Rutland is enforced by the Public Protection team at Rutland County Council and the
Health and Safety Executive. The enforcing body depends on the main activity at the site. As a basic guide
Rutland County Council will look at the premises where the main activity is retail, offices, leisure activities,
storage, warehouses for retail wholesale, hotels and care homes. The Health and Safety Executive will look
at manufacturers, agriculture, hospitals and nursing homes and building sites.
To discuss specific premises or points please contact the Public Protection team at Rutland County Council:
 01572 722577
 enquiries@rutland.gov.uk
More comprehensive information is available in a starter pack which can be downloaded free from the Health
and Safety Executives website http://www.hse.gov.uk/business/pack.htm
Also for a general information leaflet – An introduction to health and safety, visit
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg259.pdf
The following points must be considered by all businesses:
1. Risk Assessment
Identify what could harm people (employees and others affected by the work activities) what controls you
already have in place and are they adequate? If not what further controls are needed to prevent accidents
and ill health. This is a risk assessment. It is strongly recommended that the risk assessment is recorded. If
you have 5 or more employees it is a legal requirement to document your risk assessment. The following link
also gives examples of risk assessments for small and medium sized businesses.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/business/risk.htm
2. Health and Safety Policy
A Health and Safety policy sets out the arrangements for managing health and safety within the business. If
you have 5 or more employees the policy must be written.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/business/policy.htm
3. Health, Safety and Welfare
A safe and healthy workplace must be provided for employees. This includes welfare facilities (e.g. toilets
and washing facilities) heating, lighting, ventilation, drinking water and house keeping.
4. Law Poster
Display an approved Health and Safety Law Poster (or provide each employee with an equivalent leaflet)
http://hse.gov.uk/business/law.htm
5. Employers Liability Insurance Certificate
You must have current appropriate employers liability insurance and display a copy. Appropriate public
liability insurance will also be required.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/business/elci.htm
www.rutland.gov.uk/businessinformationpack
6. First Aid and Accident Recording and Reporting
You must have a suitable first aid kit, accident recording and reporting procedure. More information is
available at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/misc769.pdf &
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg347.pdf
7. Electrical Safety
Mains and portable electrical appliances must be examined and maintained in a safe condition. An electrical
maintenance programme is required. Guidance is available from:http://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/safety.htm
8. Asbestos
If asbestos is present on the premises it must be managed in a safe manner which includes completing an
asbestos risk assessment and an asbestos management plan if appropriate.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/campaign/duty.htm
9. Radon Gas
Rutland is in a high risk radon area. A radon risk assessment is required for all workplaces in Rutland.
Further information on Radon gas risk assessment and testing is available from:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/radiation/ionising/radon.htm
10. Gas Safety
All mains and LPG Gas appliances must be examined and maintained in a safe condition. All engineers
carrying out work on gas appliances must be Gas Safe registered and competent in the areas being worked
on. Further information is available on the Gas Safe website www.GasSaferegister.co.uk and
www.hse.gov.uk/gas
11.Planning Permission and Building Control
You need to ensure the premises have the correct planning usage permitted for the business you are looking
to open. Please contact Planning on:


01572 722577
planning@rutland.gov.uk
If building works, alterations or a material change of use is being carried out Building Control should also be
consulted on:


01572 722577
buildingcontrol@rutland.gov.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
How many first-aiders do I need?
The findings of your first-aid needs assessment will help you decide how many first-aiders are required. There
are no hard and fast rules on exact numbers and you will need to take into account all the relevant
circumstances of your particular workplace. The following link provides general guidance on how many firstaiders or appointed persons might be needed, First Aid at Work
What is the maximum/minimum temperature in the workplace?
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 lay down particular requirements for most
aspects of the working environment. Regulation 7 deals specifically with the temperature in indoor workplaces
and states that: “During working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be
reasonable”. The minimum temperature in workrooms should normally 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. These temperatures may not, however, ensure reasonable comfort, depending on other factors such
as air movement and relative humidity.' Where the temperature in a workroom would otherwise be
uncomfortably high, for example because of hot processes or the design of the building, all reasonable steps
should be taken to achieve a reasonably comfortable temperature, for example by insulating hot plants or
pipes, providing air-cooling plant and shading windows.
www.rutland.gov.uk/businessinformationpack
Where a reasonably comfortable temperature cannot be achieved throughout a workroom, local cooling
should be provided. In extremely hot weather fans and increased ventilation may be used instead of local
cooling. Where, despite the provision of local cooling, workers are exposed to temperatures which do not give
reasonable comfort, suitable protective clothing and rest facilities should be provided. Where practical there
should be systems of work (for example, task rotation) to ensure that the length of time for which individual
workers are exposed to uncomfortable temperatures is limited. Further guidance is available in the Approved
Code of Practice L24 available from HSE Books.


01787 881165
http://books.hse.gov.uk/hse/public/home.jsf
How many toilets should a workplace have?
The relevant legislation is the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992. Regulation 20,
Sanitary conveniences, states Suitable and sufficient sanitary conveniences shall be provided at readily
accessible places. To be suitable the rooms containing the sanitary convenience must be adequately lit and
ventilated. Adequate wash hand basins are required with a constant supply of hot and cold water. The
approved code of practice lists the number of toilets required and associated washbasins eg for 1 to 5 people
at work at one time 1toilet and 1 washbasin would be a minimum requirement.
Do Separate Toilets have to be provided for food handlers?
This comes under Food Safety Legislation. It is good practice to provide food handlers with separate toilet
and changing facilities to prevent cross contamination.
Do you have any information on how to compile a health and safety policy?
By law (Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 section 2(3)) if you employ five or more people you must
have a written health and safety policy. This contains your statement of general policy on health and safety at
work and the organisation and arrangements in place for putting that policy into practice. The HSE have
produced a free leaflet called An Introduction to health and safety. This document contains a statement of
general policy based on your legal duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
How do I report accidents?
The Reporting of Injuries Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR) require the reporting of deaths or major injuries, over 3 days injuries, certain diseases and certain dangerous occurrences.
All accidents, diseases and dangerous occurrences may be reported to the Incident Contact Centre (ICC).
The Contact Centre was established on 1st April 2001 as a single point of contact for reporting all incidents in
the UK. You can report incidents by any of the following routes:



0845 3009923 (available Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.00pm)

Incident Contact Centre, Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly, CF83 3GG
RIDDOR - Report an incident
0845 3009924 (fax reporting form) or
You can still report directly to your local HSE Office or Local Authority by completing and sending them the
relevant hard copy form.
What is the law regarding employing school age children and young persons?
Children below the minimum school leaving age (MSLA) must not be employed in industrial undertakings
such as factories, construction sites etc except when on work experience schemes approved by the local
authority, or the governing body of an independent school. Children under 13 years of age are generally
prohibited from any form of employment and local authorities have powers to make bylaws on the types of
work, and hours of work, children aged between 13 years and the MSLA can do. For further information
please click on the subjects below:
Young people and work experience
About young people at work
Key risks to young people at work
www.rutland.gov.uk/businessinformationpack