Publications - Guidance

Local Authority Circulars

HELA Local Authority Circulars (LACs) provide local authority (LA) Health and Safety Enforcement Officers with advice and guidance on enforcement management and technical matters.

• Local Authority Circulars index

Environmental Health Officers are able to view 'closed' and archived LACs on HELex using this link:

• https://extranet.hse.gov.uk/C8/LACs/default.aspx (login required)

Councillors handbook

• Local authority health and safety regulation - A councillors handbook [686KB]

Section 18

Section 18 (4) of the HSW Act requires that local authorities perform their duties in accordance with guidance from the Health and Safety Commission (HSC). This guidance, commonly known as ‘Section 18 Guidance’, is therefore mandatory.

• HSC Section 18 Guidance (revised 2002) [280KB]

Example risk assessments

Example risk assessments (ExRAs) covering a wide range of industries are available on the HSE website demonstrating to small firms what a ‘good enough’ record of a risk assessment for a particular industry or work activity looks like.

• Example risk assessments

Reports

• Local authorities support, information and training needs analysis [920KB]
• Competence Project: Developing Staff, Meeting Business Needs [159KB]