News: HSE and Rotherham Council take action on safety

Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council recently visited 148 businesses in an intensive one-week joint inspection campaign aimed at making Rotherham a safer and healthier place in which to work. HSE Inspector Chris Chambers, who lead the HSE Inspection team, said: "This has been the first time HSE and Rotherham MBC have undertaken a joint initiative of this kind and it has proved very effective. "Notably the campaign also involved other enforcement agencies like South Yorkshire Fire Service who joined HSE/Rotherham MBC inspectors on visits to a number of premises. "Visits were generally well-received and many companies had clearly responded well to the advance publicity for the campaign. It was also encouraging to find that most of the businesses we visited were receptive to the advice and support we were offering in the form of verbal and written advice, free information CDs and leaflets. "Where areas of concern remain, follow up action will be taken. "However it is worth noting that the vast majority of visits did not result in any enforcement action, suggesting that on the whole dutyholders in Rotherham are heeding the advice they are being given and managing health and safety effectively in the key areas required of them." Enforcement action was taken at a number of premises with the serving of four Prohibition Notices, preventing work continuing until remedial action has been taken, and 21 Improvement Notices which allow time for managers to comply with requirements.

RMBC website
Rotherham