Service Charter for Health and Safety at Work

The health and safety of employees and members of the public, in places of work is the responsibility of the employer. Employees, however, also have a legal responsibility to comply with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act. The responsibility for the enforcement of this Act is shared between the Health and Safety Executive, and Torbay Council, with the majority of responsibility for inspections, and investigation of complaints and accidents falling to Torbay Council.

There are two teams that are responsible for this work at Torbay Council. The majority of premises selling or providing food are the responsibility of the Food Safety Team, with a few exceptions, e.g. nightclubs, while all other workplaces are the responsibility of the Safety and Licensing Team.

Evidence proves that overall good Health and Safety records mean that businesses have lower long term costs, through reduced staff sicknesses, reduced time off due to accidents, and lower insurance premiums. This is a loss Torbay’s economy. Join us in trying to make Torbay a safer and more prosperous place.

As part of our Charter we will:

• Respond to complaints concerning health and safety or workplace conditions within 3 working days.
• Respond immediately to fatalities in the workplace.
• Provide information, advice and training throughout the year.

You can help us by:

• Co-operate with any request for information to progress an investigation.
• Be prepared to allow time to discuss the outcome and recommendation arising from a premises inspection.

Health and Safety Initiatives 2007/08

During 2007/8 officers from Torbay Council’s Environmental Health and Consumer Protection Division will be undertaking themed Health and Safety inspections as part of the Governments FIT3 program. FIT3 stands for Fit, for Work, Fit for Life, Fit for Tomorrow. These inspections will focus on specific topic areas (such as slips and trips) or on business sectors (such as hairdressing). One aim of FIT3 is to encourage change by education, but where employers do not want to learn then inspections will be undertaken. For 2007 the following projects are planned:

• February 2007 Workplace Asthma in bakeries
• June 2007 Ladder Safety Week
• Other local projects include:
  • January/February 2007 Sun bed Safety and Awareness

Health and Safety Advice Leaflets

The leaflets in related documents have been produced by Torbay Council’s Safety and Licensing team to support our project work.

Black Henna Tattoos Safety Information

Nail Bar Safety Information

Preventing Dermatitis in the Hairdressing and Beauty Industry