Fast FAQs

What are my main responsibilities under health and safety legislation?

You are responsible for the health and safety of everyone affected by your business - including employees, other people working in or visiting your premises, people affected outside your premises (for example, by emissions) and anyone affected by products or services which you design, produce or supply. You are also responsible for the welfare of your employees.

To start with, you must register with the appropriate authority. If you have employees in an office or shop, you register with the local council - usually the Environmental Health Department. If you have a factory, you register with the Health and Safety Executive.

General requirements include:

• Having a health and safety policy.
• Carrying out a risk assessment, and taking action to control any risks.
• Making suitable arrangements for employee welfare.
• Taking out employers' liability insurance (unless all your employees are your close relatives).

Specific regulations cover areas such as providing health and safety information to employees, fire precautions, managing dangerous equipment and hazardous substances, providing a suitable working environment, and dealing with accidents and emergencies.

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