Health and Safety Inspection of Premises

(Health and safety at Work Act 1974)

Premises are subject to routine programmed inspections according to the risk presented by their activities to workers and others.  Environmental Health Officers deal with premises in the Service Industry including shops, offices, residential accommodation, warehouses and consumer services. 

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) deal with all other premises.  They can be contacted as follows:

Phone: 0141 275 3000

Address: Health and Safety Executive, Pegasus House, 375 West George Street, Glasgow  G2  4LW

Enforcement Strategy

The City Council has adopted the principles of good enforcement in respect of standards, openness, helpfulness, complaints, proportionality and consistency.

These include:

• confidentiality, courtesy and advice on compliance
• a clear distinction between requirements and recommendations
• a statement of the legal basis for any requirements
• information re appeal and complaints procedures

Enforcement Responsibility in terms of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974

To inspect commercial premises such as Offices, Shops, Hotels, Restaurants and Public Houses in addition to work places such as Tyre and Exhaust Fitting premises and Leisure Centres to assess compliance with the relevant legislation.

Regular Inspection of Premises

Premises in Glasgow which are classed as higher risk are inspected routinely at frequencies of 12 months and 18 months according to the perceived risk.  Lower risk premises are not subject to programmed inspection but are included in a programme of alternative initiatives.

Reports of Inspection

A written report of inspection is issued to the employer and workplace safety representative after each inspection.

Additional Inspections

Additional inspections are undertaken:

• in response to complaints
• for licensing purposes
• where accidents have occurred
• on receipt of reports from other agencies

Compliance

Inspections are undertaken to assist companies in achieving compliance with the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and relevant Regulations.

Where an Officer is confident that prompt compliance will be secured an informal letter will be sent confirming the points identified and/or agreed during the inspection.

In some cases, formal action may be necessary.  This could result in the issue of an Improvement Notice detailing the action required within a specified time period or a Prohibition Notice requiring immediate attention.

Prosecution

Prosecution is only considered appropriate in cases such as:

• failure to comply with an Improvement or Prohibition Notice
• flagrant breach of the law
• reckless disregard for the health and safety of work people or others
• serious accident
• incident causing serious public alarm

In general terms, prosecution is not the preferred action of the Service.

Duties of Employees

Employees must have regard for the law in their activities and must follow instructions from their employer in relation to health and safety.

Appeals and Complaints

Guidance on appeals is issued with all notices.  Should you wish to register a complaint please see 'Workplace Health & Safety' page or contact the office detailed below.

Advice

Advice on compliance is freely available from Officers, however, the employer will, in the end, require to decide how to resolve problems in the way most appropriate and practical to the particular business.  In some cases, the employer may require to seek specialist advice from another provider.

For further information and advice please contact:

Health & Safety Inspection of Premises Leaflet

This leaflet can be downloaded in PDF format.