Local government

Responsibility for health and safety in councils extends to their role as employers, service providers and often as major procurers and commissioners of goods and services. 

If you require information about the role of local authorities as health and safety regulators, please go to the Local Authority Unit website.

How we work

A sensible approach

This sensible risk resource helps councils get the balance right by focusing on the real risks and challenging risk averse practices.

These pages will help you find the right balance - whether you are a councillor, head of service, line manager, employee, or health and safety representative.

A sensible approach

Council services and activities

Information related to council service delivery is available from HSE's relevant industry-based pages.

Services and activities

Effective leadership

Local authorities can contribute to the successful delivery of the strategy for health and safety in GB. 

Effective leadership

Updated 2022-10-12