Health and safety enforcement and legislation

Health and Safety laws are enforced by either the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or our Health and Safety team, depending upon the main work activity carried out.

Premises where we are the enforcing authority include:

• offices
• shops
• hotels and catering premises
• warehouses
• leisure and consumer services
• tyre and exhaust fitters

For advice relating to premises enforced by us, or if you are unsure who the correct enforcing authority is, contact us.

Premises where the HSE is the enforcing authority include:

• construction and demolition
• manufacturing and factories
• agriculture
• hospitals
• educational establishments
• motor vehicle repair

For advice relating to HSE enforced premises, contact the HSE.

We are committed to working in partnership with the Health and Safety Executive, other local authorities and businesses to promote health and safety. We will take enforcement activity when necessary and in accordance with our Enforcement Policy and our Service Plan.

The main objectives of Colchester City Council's Health and Safety service are, for premises where we the enforcing authority:

• To undertake health and safety interventions with dutyholders in accordance with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance
• The investigation of reportable injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences in accordance with the agreed selection criteria
• To investigate health and safety complaints
• To receive and act upon statutory notifications, including those for work with asbestos (ASB5 notifications), and adverse insurance reports for lifting equipment and pressure systems
• To promote safety at work, including providing advice to businesses, employers, employees and other service users on Health and Safety matters
• To promote and enforce the 'Smokefree' legislation under The Health Act 2006