Health and Safety law is enforced by District Council Environmental Health Departments and the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI), depending on the business activity being carried on.

The table below gives a breakdown of enforcement responsibility:

Magherafelt District Council Environmental Health Officers will :

Provide Health and Safety information and advice to businesses and employees

The Health and Safety Pays Protect Your Profit Guide provides step-by-step advice for small businesses on how to manage health and safety, including information on risk assessment and writing a safety policy. You can also download business specific advisory leaflets in our resources section

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (NI) 2000 require that every employer and self- employed person shall make a suitable and sufficient assessment of
(a) the risks to the health and safety of employees to which they are exposed whilst they are at work; and
(b) the risks to the health and safety of persons not in his employment arising out of or in connection with the conduct by him of his undertaking

To assist you in carrying out risk assessments you can download a blank risk assessment form

Carry out programmed inspections of premises
Click here to download a brief guide for businesses, employees and their representatives on what to expect when a Health and Safety Inspector calls

Respond to complaints relating to unsafe working conditions and practices
You can contact the Environmental Health Department during office hours 9.00am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm to 5.00pm
By telephoning- 028 79397979
By e-mail- envhealth@magherafelt.gov.uk
By Fax- 028 79397980

Investigate accidents at work
Reporting accidents and ill health at work is a legal requirement. If there is an accident connected with work and

• Your employee, or a self-employed person working on your premises is killed or suffers a major injury or,
• A member of the public is killed or taken to hospital
  

• You must notify the enforcing authority without delay (e.g. telephone). Within ten days you must follow this up with a completed accident report form NI2508 .

Directory of Support Service to local Post Primary Schools

The directory informs local schools about Environmental Health Services and how schools can work in partnership with Council staff to enhance teaching and learning in areas such as personal health and well-being, healthy environments and sustainable living.

Click here to download directory

Bad Hand Day - Advice for Hairdressers on Dermatitis

Click here

The fifth meeting of the Northern Ireland Workplace Health Network will take place in the Ramada Hotel, Belfast on Tuesday 23 October 2007 from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm.

This half-day Network meeting will focus on the issue of 'Healthy Working Backs NI' and will discuss the challenges for employers and for the rehabilitation of employees, whose health has been worse or affected by work.

Presentations will discuss the recent joint HSENI / District Council Backs NI Campaign and the establishment of a back care initiative within workplaces, while a case study will focus on the implementation of a referral system within a local Health and Social Care Trust.

A full Network programme will be available shortly on the Working for Health website - www.workingforhealthni.gov.uk.

For further information, or to reserve place at this event please complete the Registration Form and return it to:

Working for Health Strategy

HSENI

83 Ladas Drive

Belfast

BT6 9FR

Email: workingforhealth@detini.gov.uk

Click here for reply slip

• Health Promotion Agency

Are you doing enough to prevent back injury in your workplace? Download an information sheet .

One of the key strategies contained within HSC's Strategy for Workplace Health & Safety in Great Britain to 2010 and Beyond is to promote greater involvement of workers and stakeholders to increase their engagement and promote full participation in improving health and safety. Similarly within the HELANI Strategic Plan 2005-2008 the strategic theme dealing with partnership working and engaging stakeholders has specifically identified the need for district councils to improve contact with employee representatives during and following inspections, investigations and other interventions. The Strategic Plan further encourages district councils to encourage employers to undertake effective employee consultation on health and safety issues.

HSE research(1) has shown that where workers are encouraged to have a voice and are given the ability to influence health and safety they are safer and healthier than those who do not.

A Policy on Contact with Representatives and Employees during Visits and Disclosure of Information, was adopted by Magherafelt District Council. Health and Safety Officers within Environmental Health implemented the policy from April 2006.

(1) HSE Research Report 296 (2005) Obstacles preventing worker involvement in health and safety.

To view policy click here: Policy on Contact with Representaties with Employees During Visits and Disclosure of Information

Further Information

To view a copy of IND(G) 232 "Consulting Employees on Health and Safety a Guide to the Law " click here

Further information on the way health and safety legislation is enforced, and about health and safety legislation generally, can be found in the following free leaflets

What to expect when a District Council Health and Safety Inspector Calls: Click here

A brief guide for business, employees and their representatives.

Safety pays: Information for smaller businesses on Managing Health and Safety.

After Your Ears or Risk Losing the Music

Click here to download information on damage to hearing caused by Noise from Loud Music

Against a background of 67 fatal accidents at work and nearly 4000 major injuries in a 12 month period, environmental health officers from local councils across Northern Ireland currently are taking part in Province-wide campaign to reduce falls from heights in workplaces.

"Working at heights continues to be the single biggest cause of fatal accidents and one of the main causes of major injuries - and the main cause of all injuries from falls from heights is people falling from ladders," commented Mr Clifford Burrows, Director of Environmental Health, Magherafelt District Council.

The Work at Heights Regulations (NI) 2005 impose a new duty on employers to do all that is reasonably practical to prevent anyone falling whilst at work.

The current campaign, is aimed at improving the safety record of businesses undertaking activities which involve working at height.

"Falls from height also have been identified as a priority area for action in a joint strategic workplan produced between all 26 of Northern Ireland's district councils and the HSENI," added Mr Burrows.

In common with their colleagues across the rest of the Province, Environmental Health Officers in Magherafelt currently are inspecting premises across the Council area - and have warned that they will take appropriate enforcement action where serious risks are identified.

Businesses in the Magherafelt District Council area can obtain advice and information on the new Working at Height Regulations by contacting your local Environmental Health Department on 028 79397979 or e-mailing env.health@magherafelt.gov.uk

Enforcement Policy

The department operates according to an Enforcement Policy.

Click here to download the Enforcement Policy .

GAS WISE INITIATIVE

Environmental Health Officers target the workplace to promote gas safety.

Many work premises throughout Northern Ireland use gas (either piped or tanked) for heating or cooking. When safely installed, regularly maintained and used properly, gas installations and appliances pose few risks. However, if gas is not managed properly, the risk of fire, an explosion or carbon monoxide poisoning is greatly increased.

Last August (2004) in Derry a gas explosion at a takeaway premises resulted in the building being completely destroyed and in serious damage being caused to two adjacent buildings. All three buildings have since had to be demolished. Thankfully no one was injured in this instance but the potential for loss of life in such circumstances is great.

From September 2005, all 26 district councils have agreed to make gas safety a special area of focus during their health and safety visits. The initiative will run over the next three years. In addition councils will be promoting gas safety, in partnership with other agencies, such as HSENI and CORGI under the "Gas Wise" banner. This will take the form of articles in relevant trade journals and the provision of information and advice to businesses.

Magherafelt District Council are pleased to support the Gas Wise Initiative. The initiative is being promoted during our visits to premises licensed for entertainment and food businesses within the district. Premises will be asked for proof that their gas installation has been inspected by a CORGI registered installer. Where serious contraventions are detected the gas installation will be subject to either Improvement or Prohibition Notice procedures.

Further advice and information can be requested from the Environmental Health Department at any time. Please contact Maxine Young, Lead Officer (Health, Safety and Licensing) or Helen Harper, Lead Officer (Health, Safety and Licensing) on 028 79397979.