Health and Safety
Executive / Commission
Local Authorities
410 individual Local authorities (LAs) have responsibility under Section 18 of the Health and Safety at Work Act etc 1974 for enforcement at over 1.2 million premises registered with LAs in Great Britain. This encompasses some 12 million people - half the employed working population.
Work-related activities at these premises are responsible for approximately 40 deaths, and over 36 000 reported injuries to workers and members of the public every year. In 2002/03 the rate of reported major injury was 47.5 per 100 000 and the rate of over-3-day injuries 211 per 100 000.
In 2002/2003, the equivalent of 1060 health and safety enforcement officers made around 260 000 visits in connection with their enforcement duties, investigated over 70 000 complaints and requests for advice, and served over 5800 formal notices. Over 350 prosecutions were taken resulting in a near 90% conviction rate.
LAs use two main tools to secure compliance with the law and improvements in the working environment. These are enforcement (in its widest sense) and promotional activities. Enforcement is triggered largely by intervention through proactive inspections and reactively, by investigation of accidents, ill-health and complaints. This activity is relatively strong and, despite a reduction in the rate of visiting in recent years, remains at approximately 25 visits per 100 registered premises per year.
Full details are available on the HSE site. For a more comprehensive review as well as access to a detailed statistical analysis in the HELA 'National Picture 2003' click below:
LA inspections are typicaly organised according to a system of prioritisation based on hazard and rick rating. LAs are encouraged each year by HELA to focus their attention on certain key issues, consistent with the HSC/E priority programmes. LAs are also involved in promotional activities supporting both national and local initiatives.
Guidance is given annually on the priority topics, the latest of which is Local Authority Circular 40/7(now withdrawn). This LAC also introduces a new topic-based approach to inspection [LAC22/13]. HELA has also issued guidance to LAs on selection and investigation of accidents LAC, enforcement policy and procedure.
To achieve the challenging targets set - not just for regulators but all stakeholders - by the Government's 'Revitalising Health and Safety' Statement issued in June 2000, it is essential that the local authority enforced sector responds positively. While it remains a key feature of health and safety in Great Britain that the primary duty rests with the employer, LAs will need to deploy their efforts to ensure that the contribution employers can make is maximised. The new "LAs and HSE Working Together" Strategic Programme will help to make this happen. HELA has also been encouraging LAs to find new and innovative ways of maximising their contribution. These are recognised each year by the HELA Awards for Innovation, Presented at the annual HELA Conference.
