HSE warns businesses not to be misled over new law poster

E52:09 6 July 2009

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is warning businesses across Britain not to be duped into buying unnecessary and overpriced copies of its health and safety law poster.

The poster is a fixture of every workplace in Britain and employers have a legal duty to display the poster in a prominent position or provide each worker with a copy of a Law pocket card. Both outline employer and workers responsibilities and where workers can seek advice.

There is some evidence of misleading promotions wrongly claiming that the old poster must be replaced immediately and that the new law poster should be displayed on every notice board within the business' premises.

This is incorrect and employers could be led to believe that they are not meeting their legal requirements. Employers can check they have a genuine HSE law poster by checking the unique, serially numbered hologram on each poster.

Vinny Kenny, from HSE said:

"The information that is being sent out by some companies may be misleading under consumer protection legislation and we want to put a stop to it. If businesses receive any promotions relating to the Law poster or pocket card and are in any doubt about their authenticity they should contact HSE before parting with their money."

New versions of the health and safety law poster and an accompanying pocket card were launched in April and provide clearer information for workers about their right to have their health and safety properly protected.

The Health and Safety Information for Employees Regulations allow businesses five years to switch to the new poster and pocket cards - they must be replaced by no later than 5 April 2014. Employers who choose to display the old poster after 6 April 2009 must make sure it is legible and keep the addresses of the enforcing authority and the employment medical advisory service up to date.

For further information go to: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/lawposter.htm.

Press enquiries

All enquiries from journalists should be directed to the HSE Press Office