HSE’s operational staff

HSE's operational inspectors and Health and Safety Awareness Officers deal with a range of industries including the Plastic industry on a day to day basis. They do this by a range of methods including:

• On-site inspections (announced and unannounced);
• Investigation of accidents and complaints;
• Providing guidance and support at visits, by phone or at industry events;
• Safety and health awareness days (SHADs);
• Enforcement where necessary.

HSE's manufacturing sector staff provides support at national level for the plastics industry and for the operational staff who deal with them.

Our main responsibilities are to:

• Provide support and advice to HSE’s operation staff during accident investigations, inspections or legal proceedings;
• gather intelligence to ensure HSE’s and businesses’ resources are targetted at those areas creating the greatest risk to health and safety;
• ensure the UK’s interests are represented during the production of European machinery safety standards;
• set and agree with industry, the minimum safeguarding standards for machines for which there are no specific European standards;
• support compliance activities to meet the Government's Revitalising H&S; targets on reducing injuries and occupational ill health;
• monitor the health and safety performance of the industries we cover;
• support pol10.10.08ommunicate with industry sector stakeholders, including trade associations and trades unions;
• publish guidance in consultation with key stakeholders.