The Health and Safety inspector of the HSE or the Local Authority has powers in relation to the enforcement of health and safety legislation as well as advisory and awareness as functions. Health and Safety inspectors may visit without notice. In the case of routine inspections, they will usually give notice to ensure that the […]
In addition to statutory requirements, there are common law rights for neighbours in relation to statutory nuisances and the escape of dangerous vapours, substances and such like. This can lead to significant civil liability for damages. In addition to common law nuisance there are “statutory nuisances” where industrial smell, smoke and gases escape. Local Authorities […]
All businesses need to consider the hazards caused by storing goods and materials in the context of their overall risk assessment. Certain businesses face particular risks. In the case of dangerous and hazards materials, it is necessary to ensure that chemicals and dangerous substances are stored and handled so that exposure to them is minimised. […]
Employers are required to ensure that all equipment supplied and used for work purposes is safe and does not pose any short term or long term hazard or risk to an employee’s health or welfare. Equipment must be suitable and appropriate to its purpose, circumstances and environment. The obligations cover all areas including offices, shops […]
It is desirable for a business to produce a staff handbook setting out rules and procedures which staff need to know. A Handbook will help employees understand what is expected of them and how they should carry out their activities. A Handbook can include clear policies on important employment matters helps the business identify and […]
Employees have a legal right to minimum facilities at work. Employers also have obligations to customers. There must be enough working space for people to move around with ease. The volume of room divided by the number of people working in it such be at least a certain level expressed in cubic metres. If the […]
The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland has a range of powers to enforce health and safety legislation. It has a duty to make adequate arrangements to enforce health and safety legislation. Regulations may prescribe specific authorities responsible for enforcement of particular statutory provisions. Statutory provisions under the umbrella of the Health and Safety […]
Breach of the general health and safety obligations owed by employers to employees in contravention of any regulations, requirements or prohibitions provided for, constitutes an offence. Breach of the other key health and safety duties on the part of other parties is an offence. Contravention of requirements made by Inspector, obstruction of an inspector in […]
Manufacturers, importers, and persons who supply articles for use in any work or article of fairground equipment must, as far as is reasonably practicable, ensure that the article is designed and constructed to be safe without risks to health at all times when it is being set, used, cleaned, or maintained. It is their duty […]
The Health, Safety and Welfare at Work, NI Order 1978 regulates health and modernises health and safety law in conjunction with the corresponding English Act of 1974. It repealed the Factories Acts and replaced them with a more contemporary risk assessment approach applicable to all places of employment. The purpose of Health, Safety and Welfare […]