Advice to businesses - health and safety

Where can I get information on health and safety requirements in the workplace?

All employers are responsible for the health, safety and welfare of the people they employ and any visitors to their premises.

Advice

We give advice and enforce in;

• office
• hospitality
• catering
• retail and wholesale
• care homes
• consumer services such as the beauty sector
• leisure businesses.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advise and enforce on:

• general agricultural
• construction and
• manufacturing issues.

Information and guidance can be obtained

The HSE website can provide further useful information and guidance.

Health and Safety Executive (external website)

or you can contact the council's health and safety duty officer by:

Email: health.safety@eastriding.gov.uk

Do the council operate any health and safety award schemes for businesses?

We are only actively involved with the health and safety award scheme for hair and beauty businesses, an annual award scheme operated by the Hair and Beauty Industry Authority (HABIA).

Hairdressing salons and beauticians in the East Riding are able to apply for this award at no cost and subject to demonstrating sound health and safety practices will receive it.

What are the award criteria?

As a hair and beauty business you have to demonstrate good standards and working practices in the following areas:

• safety management including risk assessments, accident reporting and safety policy
• first aid provision
• control of substances hazardous to health assessments and personal protective equipment
• electrical and fire safety
• employers/public liability insurance
• provision and display of health and safety information
• employee training and consultation
• manual handling
• appropriate registrations
• workplace environment with particular relevance to salon hygiene
• staff personal hygiene
• occupational health management.

HABIA health and safety pack

This will take you through a simple step by step process to meet the criteria and is available by contacting HABIA by:

Email: info@habia.org

Tel: 0845 2306080 or 0845 6123555 

Fax: (01302) 774949

Or alternatively, writing to:

Habia
Oxford House
Sixth Avenue
Sky Business Park
Robin Hood Airport
Doncaster
DN9 3GG.

How is the award assessed?

The award is valid for one year and is assessed on the findings of one announced and one unannounced visit.

Can the award be taken away during the award year?

The award can be removed at anytime should the business fail to meet the criteria or in the event of substantiated complaints.

Can I use the award in advertising?

The award can be used in advertising but remains the property of the council and HABIA.

Who to contact if you wish to apply?

For any further information or guidance or if you wish to make an application you can contact the health and safety duty officer by:

Email: health.safety@eastriding.gov.uk

or alternatively you can write to:

Private Sector Housing and Safety Manager
Health and Safety Regulatory Services
Housing and Public Protection
East Riding of Yorkshire Council
County Hall
Beverley
HU17 9BA.

Who are the current hair and beauty industry authority award winners?

Currently there are 97 award holders in the East Riding.

As a council we also issue a gold award for those salons which demonstrate practices which make them stand out from other award winners and an ongoing commitment to the award.

This year there were 22 gold award holders.

The following word document provides details of all award holders for 2016.

Award winners (word 306kb)

How do I find out if I have asbestos and if I do what do I need to do?

Asbestos was extensively used as a building material in the UK from the 1950s through to the mid-1980s.

It was used for a variety of purposes and was ideal for fire proofing and insulation. Any building built before 2000 (houses, factories, offices, schools, hospitals) can contain asbestos.

Asbestos materials in good condition are safe unless asbestos fibres become airborne, which happens when materials are damaged.

Where can you find asbestos?

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website provides useful information on some of the places where you may find asbestos and how it can be identified.

Health and Safety Executive (external website)

Managing asbestos

The duty to manage the risks to ill health, that exposure to asbestos causes is directed at those who manage non-domestic premises:

• the people with responsibility for protecting others who work in such premises
• use them in other ways.

The HSE website provides advice and guidance on helping you undertake this duty.

Health and Safety Executive (external website)

Non domestic premises

Includes:

• all industrial
• commercial
• public buildings such as factories, warehouses, offices, shops, hospitals and schools
• those 'common’ areas of certain domestic premises such as purpose-built flats or houses converted into flats.

These 'common areas' of domestic premises might include:

• foyers
• corridors
• lifts and lift-shafts
• staircases
• roof spaces
• gardens
• yards
• outhouses and garages
• but would not include the flat itself.

For further information

We can also offer advice on asbestos disposal.