Health & Safety

All businesses are subject to wide ranging rules which regulate health & safety within the work place.  Failure to comply with the relevant rules can result in criminal penalties for the owner and for those with day to day control of the business.  In addition it may also lead to civil claims against the business and/or its owner and managers in the event that injury or damage is caused either to an employee or sub-contractor,  or to a third party having dealings with the business or visiting its premises.

Briefly, the Health & Safety rules lays down requirements covering areas such as employer’s liability insurance, health & safety advice for the business, management of health & safety in the workplace, risk assessment of the workplace, provision of suitable welfare facilities, health & safety training and supervision, mandatory signage, First Aid, and accident reporting. 

Quite apart from any penalties an employer might suffer, an injury to a key worker arising out of an avoidable health & safety accident can seriously jeopardise the successful running of that business.

Regulation 7 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regs 1999 requires every organisation to have access to “competent” Health & Safety Advice.  Whilst large businesses can afford to employ someone to meet that requirement most businesses are not in a position to do so.  We recommend our clients to consider using the services of a suitable external health and safety consultant who would be able to offer the necessary advice and guidance when the need arises.

For more infomation please contact one of the following:

Name Position Office
Mark Arden Senior Solicitor Crediton
Mark Perry Solicitor Exeter

 

Safety Services Supplies

Lexcel Law Society

Conveyancing Quality, Accredited Law Society