About this leaflet

This leaflet is intended for those in business who have duties under health and safety law (‘dutyholders’), for example employers, the self-employed and thosein control of workplaces. It explains what a health and safety awareness officer (HSAO) is and what they do. It also tells you what you can expect when an HSAOcalls and what happens following their visit.It also tells employees and their representatives what information they may expect from an HSAO as a result of the visit.

Who enforces health and safety law?

Health and safety law relating to work activities is enforced by inspectors from theHealth and Safety Executive (HSE) or by inspectors from your local authority. Further details are given in What to expect when a health and safety inspector calls (HSC14). This can be found on the HSE website at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/hsc14.htm.

Inspectors have the right to enter any workplace without necessarily giving notice. An inspector would expect to look at specific issues associated with yourworkplace, the work activities, your management of health and safety and to check hat you are complying with health and safety law.

Unlike inspectors, HSAOs do not have powers to enter your premises without our agreement; they enter your premises solely with your consent. HSAOsdo, however, have powers to enforce certain aspects of Employer’s Liability Compulsory Insurance (ELCI) legislation, and they will inform you of your duties asan employer under this important legislation.

What is the role of the health and safety awareness officer?

HSAOs are specially trained staff whose role is to support HSE’s regulatory work,promote health and safety awareness and provide information to employers, employees and others who may be affected by work activities. This wide-rangingwork includes working with other organisations and partners (such as Learning and Skills Councils, Business Links, training organisations, FE colleges, ethnicbusiness groups, local authorities, trades unions and business and safety groups) to stimulate greater health and safety awareness among dutyholders.

When HSAOs visit your business, their primary role is to give you information, guidance and advice and to collect information about your business that will beused solely by HSE in any further contact with you.

During their visit, an HSAO will observe work activities in your workplace as wellas the standards of housekeeping, the quality of welfare facilities and any obvious problems such as noise, transport, manual handling or dust and fumes. They will also be able to tell you about any guidance, publications and other sources ofadvice and information that are relevant to your business. However, HSAOs are not health and safety inspectors and they will not give advice on technical matters (egthe suitability of a machine guard) or express an opinion on compliance with the law.

Before leaving, the HSAO will want to talk with your safety or employees’representative. This is an important aspect of HSE’s visiting procedures.

Complaints

Complaints against HSAOs are rare. However, if you have a complaint that these rocedures have not been followed, you can contact the HSAO’s manager (throughthe address at the end of this leaflet) to discuss the matter. The manager’s name will also be quoted on the top of any correspondence you receive from the HSAO.You can either speak or write to the HSAO ‘s manager; they will investigate your
complaint and tell you what is going to be done about it.

If you are still not satisfied, you can write to the Chief Executive of HSE, who willsee that your complaint is followed up promptly and fairly. You may also wish towrite and ask your MP to take up your case with HSE, with ministers, or with the ndependent Parliamentary Commission for Administration (the Ombudsman).

You can contact the Chief Executive of HSE at:

Health and Safety ExecutiveRedgrave Court
Merton Road, Bootle
Merseyside L20 7HS

Source www.hse.gov.uk