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| You Are Here » Ballymena Borough Council » Council » Environmental Health | |||
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Who are we? The health and safety team are based in the Environmental Health Department of Ballymena Borough Council. The Council employs a full time equivalent of 2 officers responsible for approximately 1400 premises within the Borough. What do we do? The officers are responsible for securing occupational health and safety standards in certain workplaces within Ballymena Borough (see table below). Every working day in Northern Ireland there are people who suffer an injury at work. In addition, many thousands of workdays are lost as a result of work-related illnesses. Workplace accidents and ill-health are costly to both workers, their families and to business in terms of absenteeism, personal injury claims, rising insurance premiums, damage to property or equipment etc. In an attempt to reduce accidents and ill health, our health and safety officers inspect workplaces and provide advice and assistance to business owners, employees and members of the public. Enforcement is triggered largely by intervention through inspections and investigations. Inspections are organised according to a system of prioritisation based on risk. What about the Health and Safety Executive? Health and Safety law is also enforced by inspectors employed by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI), however these inspectors are responsible for enforcement in different sectors. A breakdown is given in the table below:
What to expect when a Health and Safety Inspector Calls Download a brief guide below for businesses, employees and their representatives on what to expect during an inspection. Improving Enforcement Officers Contacts with Employees One of the key strategies contained within the 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. A policy on contact with representatives and employees during visits by Health and Safety Inspectors can be downloaded below. Information for Smaller Businesses on managing Health and Safety This guide entitled ‘Protect Your Profits' 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. It should be read in conjunction with the information sheets listed below. Hazards/Activities Abrasive Wheels Report of an Injury or Dangerous Occurrence Form If you are an employer and an accident occurs at your premises, you can download a blank NI2508 form , fill it in and send to Ballymena Borough Council. Risk Assessment A risk assessment is an important step in protecting your workers and your business, as well as complying with the law. It helps you focus on the risks that really matter in your workplace - the ones with the potential to cause real harm. To assist you in carrying out a risk assessment you can obtain useful guidance in the HSE booklet "Five Steps to Risk Assessment". (www.hse.gov.uk/risk/fivesteps.htm) Health and Safety Training Preventing accidents and ill health caused by work is a key priority for every business. As the owner or manager of a business you know that competent employees are valuable. Providing health and safety training and information helps you to
You can find out who offers health and safety training locally by clicking on the document at the bottom of this page. Gas Safety Gas is generally a very safe fuel. But as with all fuels it should be treated with respect. Each year around 40 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by faulty or poorly installed gas appliances. (Carbon Monoxide is difficult to recognise because it has no smell, no colour and no taste.) Occasionally people are injured or killed in gas explosions and fires. By looking after your gas appliances through regular maintenance they will be safe, last longer and run more effeciiently. For more information see the guide below. Asbestos The Health and Safety Executive's Asbestos Advisory Service and Ballymena Borough Council's Environmental Health Officers are working in partnership to raise awareness of the legal duty to manage asbestos in premises. Further information can be downloaded below. How to contact us? Ballymena Borough Council's health and safety team will: • Give you free information and advice about health and safety issues You can contact us • in person or in writing to: Health and Safety Team Office hours: 9.00am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm to 5.00pm • by telephone - 028 25 660 300 Useful Links Health and Safety Executive for NI Health and Safety Executive (Great Britain) Protect Your Profits European Agency for Safety and Health at Work Health and Safety Authority (Republic of Ireland) ICTU Health and Safety Downloadable Documents
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| Ballymena Borough Council © 2006 | T: 08456 581 581 | E: council.reception@ballymena.gov.uk |
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PLEASE NOTE - Ballymena Borough Council is not responsible for the content or the management of the content of any external / 3rd Party web sites linked to the Ballymena Borough Council web site |  |
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