|
||||||
|
Freqently Asked Questions
1. Does Health & Safety apply to all businesses?
2. Do I need Employers Liability Insurance?
3. Do I have to provide free eye tests to my employees?
4. Is it true that I have to produce Young Person’s Risk Assessments for people under 18 year old?
5. Will my local Fire Brigade provide me with a Fire Risk Assessment?
6. Can you explain what an Improvement and Prohibition Notices are?
7. Can I appoint a consultant to act as my Health & Safety Advisor?
8. Do I need Risk Assessments?
9. What is the minimum temperature for my office?
10. What is the maximum workplace temperature?
1. Does Health & Safety Law apply to all businesses?
Yes, to all businesses no matter how small including self-employed and employees.
2. Does my business need Employers Liability Insurance?
Yes and a copy must be held for 40years after expiry date.
3. Do I have to provide free eye tests to my employees?
Display Screen Equipment ‘users’ are entitled to free eye tests and visual aids to allow them to use DSE/ VDUs. Training should be provided. Nb: Eye tests are currently free in Scotland.
4. Is it true that I have to produce Young Person’s Risk Assessments for people under 18 year old?
A Young Person’s Risk Assessment must be produce for workers that have left school but are not yet 18.
5. Are my local Fire Brigade obliged to provide me with a Fire Risk Assessment?
No, Alexander Safety employ competent persons that can conduct your Fire Risk Assessment.
Fire Risk assessments must be conducted as per Workplace Regulations.
6. Can you explain what an Improvement and Prohibition Notices are?
Improvement Notices are formally issued by the HSE to an employer instructing them to make good faults and/or carry out a program of work within a specified timescale. (Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, Section 21 refers). Prohibition Notices are issued when the HSE consider that they have to stop the work as there is (or may be) a risk of serious injury. The activity must stop immediately and not re-start until HSE permission granted. Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, Section 22 refers)
7. Can I appoint a consultant to act as my Health & Safety Advisor?
Yes, as long as they are competent.
8. Do I need Risk Assessments?
If you employ more than 5 persons, you must produce a Safety Policy and you must record your Risk Assessments. Less than 4 employees you must still conduct Risk Assessments but you do not have to record them. Employees must be informed of Risk in their workplace.
9. What is the minimum temperature for my office?
16 degrees is regarded as comfortable when persons are working in an office;
13 degrees where physical exertion is being undertaken.
10. What is the maximum workplace temperature?
No legal maximum exists; you should consider the type of work being undertaken and the average comfort levels of colleagues. 16 to 23 degrees is normally regarded as adequate.
If you have any other questions, please e-mail your questions to www.alexandersafety.com