What Powers Do Health and Safety Inspectors Have?

Health and Safety inspectors have the power to enter your premises, the right to talk to employees and safety representatives, and the right to exercise certain powers to help them fulfil their role. This includes the power to:

• inspect and investigate;
• request an area or machine to be left undisturbed;
• take measurements and photographs;
• take copies of books or documents which by law the business is required to keep;
• take recordings and samples of any articles or substances;
• carrying out tests on these articles or substances;
• seize, render harmless or destroy dangerous items;
• obtain information and take statements;
• have use of facilities, such as as an office to take statements;
• issue verbal or written advice;
• issue an improvement or prohibition notice;
• initiate prosecutions.

These inspections help to prevent work-related death, injuries and illnesses, and ensures that serious risks are managed to keep workers well and your workplace safe.

If you need a visual recap, this short animation from the Health and Safety Executive explains what you can expect when a health and safety inspector calls at your workplace.

How Do I Maintain Health & Safety and Avoid Prosecution?

As a business, you should expect regular visits from your local health and safety enforcement officers. It is therefore imperative that you maintain good health and safety in the workplace, both for these visits and for the general health of your staff and customers. If you don’t do this, your workplace could be shut down following an inspection. 

1. Appoint a competent person to manage health and safety in your workplace.
2. Complete a risk assessment.
3. Prepare a health and safety policy.
4. Provide training to employees.
5. Have a first aid kit that is regularly checked.
6. Put up the required safety signs.
7. Provide workplace facilities.
8. Implement good cleaning rituals.

For more on how to meet these points, read our full guide on maintaining health and safety in the workplace. Remember, with the recent COVID-19 pandemic, a COVID risk assessment is also required.

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At morSafe, we stock all of the supplies that you need to maintain good health and safety in your workplace, with free next day delivery available.