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 .

Click here for information on Safe Maintenance 2011

Duty to Manage Campaign - Information sheet

Workplace Transport Initiative 2010

Every year in the UK, about 70 people are killed and 2000 seriously injured in accidents involving vehicles in and around workplaces. The main industry causes of workplace transport accidents are being struck by a moving vehicle, vehicles overturning, people falling off a vehicle or its load, and loads falling off vehicles.

Following a successful pilot initiative in 2009, it was felt that it would be beneficial for both HSENI inspectors and local authority inspectors to carry out a separate but coordinated inspection initiative in this sector. The following premises were targeted for inclusion in the initiative

• Supermarkets, warehouses and distribution depots, builders merchants, DIY outlet, fuel oil depots and large petrol stations.

Each premises has received a self assessment questionnaire (SAQ) to assist managers in identifying risks and appropriate control measures across the complete delivery cycle.

A sample number of premises will also receive a targeted inspection this year focussing on segregation of pedestrians and vehicles, safe vehicle reversing, driver training, maintenance of vehicles and safe systems of work for loading, unloading, warehousing and storage.

This initiative is in line with the Helani strategic plan 2009/2011 which promotes close working arrangements between regulators which can lead to enhanced safety standards and a consistent regulatory message along the entire supply chain.

Premises not included in the initiative can download the checklist by clicking on the following link

Checklist

See attached information on Schools Work Placement Presentation. A powerpoint version of this presentation is available by contacting Environmental Health Department.

Young people and work experience

Getting to meet the animals on a farm is exciting. But animals can carry germs, and some of these can make you sick. So you need to be careful. Remember the following tips to help keep those germs at bay.

Staying safe down on the farm

Advice to farmers (with teachers' supplement)

EUROPEAN HEALTH AND SAFETY CAMPAIGN

The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work has launched its new Healthy Workplaces campaign for 2010-11, promoting safe maintenance in the workplace.

Over the two years of the campaign, many events and activities will be organised by employers and workers within the Member States. One of the principal activities to support the campaign is the European Good Practice Awards which is organised specifically to identify examples of good practice related to safe maintenance. Other campaign highlights include two European Weeks for Safety and Health at Work, in October 2010 and October 2011. European Week 2010 will take place from 25-29 October and will focus on raising awareness of the risks associated with maintenance activities and promoting good practice in the workplace. The campaign also highlights the importance of maintenance of plants, equipment, machines and workplaces to eliminate workplace hazards and to provide safer and healthier working conditions.

For European Week itself, you may like to organise your own activities and events to raise awareness of the issues. To find out more information, please click on the following websites:

The HSE's campaign website:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/safemaintenance

The campaign website of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work:

http://osha.europa.eu//en/campaigns/hw2010

On the European Agency's web pages you can find out more about the European Good Practice Awards 2010 as well as sign up to the European Campaign Partner and receive a certificate from the European Agency in recognition of your efforts for the campaign.

The website link is:

http://osha.europa.eu/en/campaigns/hw2010/get-involved/become-a-partner

To request information packs for the 2010 Campaign, contact us on HSENI's One -2-One Helpline: 0800 0320 121.

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

• 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.

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.

Enforcement Policy

The department operates according to an Enforcement Policy.

Click here to download Enforcement Policy

GAS SAFETY

Many work premises (including restaurants, takeaways, retail shops, wholesalers, residential homes and offices) as well as domestic 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. If gas is not managed properly, however, the risk of fire, an explosion or carbon monoxide poisoning is greatly increased. Each year in the UK around 14 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by faulty or poorly installed gas appliances (for up to date statistics visit the HSENI website http://www.hseni.gov.uk). Occasionally people are injured or killed in gas explosions and fires. By looking after your gas installations and appliances through regular maintenance they will be safe, last longer and run more efficiently.

Between 01 September 2005 and 31 December 2008, all district councils across Northern Ireland were involved in the Gas Wise Initiative. As part of the initiative district councils were asked to focus on gas safety during their health and safety inspections within business premises and to promote the following key messages:

A total of 1160 focused inspections were carried out during the course of the initiative, mainly in catering premises, both fixed and mobile.

The link below provides advice for those in the catering and hospitality industry on aspects of safety in installation, use and maintenance of gas cooking equipment.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/cais23.pdf

From 1st April 2010, the Gas Safe Register will replace the Corgi gas registration system that has previously been operating in Northern Ireland. The register will focus exclusively on gas safety and promote the competence of registered engineers. Engineers will carry an ID card showing the type of work they are qualified to do.

The link below provides information on the gas safety register.

http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk

Since the Gas Wise campaign, a regional gas safety forum has been established with district councils, HSENI, Corgi, gas providers and others to promote and improve all aspects of gas safety.

The regional gas safety forum, have initiated a further campaign which commenced in October 2009 to address the issue of gas safety within the rented accommodation sector. District councils in partnership with the HSENI gas safety compliance team will be specifically targeting landlords and tenants to raise awareness of gas safety duties concerning safety checks and maintenance.

As part of this initiative, a leaflet has been produced to highlight and clarify the duties of landlords in ensuring that gas appliances, fittings and flues provided for tenantsÂ' are safe. Please see link below:

http://www.hseni.gov.uk/gas_safety_-_landlords__duties_-_2009.pdf

A poster and guidance is also available for students living in rented accommodation , called "Will you wake up?;"

Please see link below:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/student.htm

Members of the public who want advice on ensuring the safety of gas in the home environment can also access information using the links below:

http://www.hseni.gov.uk/domestic_gas.pdf

http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/gas-cowboys.htm