Health and Safety inspectors to visit the borough
Businesses and organisations in Hammersmith and Fulham may receive a visit from Health and Safety Executive inspectors this week in a bid to clampdown on unsafe working practices.
The intensive inspection drive on the 9 and 10 February will focus on how risks are managed in areas such as workplace transport, machinery safety, manual handling, slips and trips, working at height and asbestos to best protect workers.
Though the focus will be on providing help and advice, inspectors will also take enforcement action if necessary to ensure any essential improvements are made.
In 2008/09, 76 people sustained major injuries at work in the borough and 267 people suffered injuries requiring more than three days' absence from work.
Mike Gibb, HSE Principal Inspector says: “As well as the distress and human cost of work-related incidents and ill-health, there is also the significant cost to businesses themselves. Many of these injuries can easily be prevented and Inspectors will be looking at how employers control risks to their own staff and members of the public.
“HSE has produced a wealth of guidance to help businesses, including small firms. Most of this is now available free online at our website.
“This is a first of a series of targeted inspections and my team will be visiting other London Boroughs over the course of the year. I would encourage all employers to take the time to look at their working practices and what they could be doing to reduce the potential for injuries and to generally improve the health and safety of all who work there.”
7 February 2010
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