Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HASAWA) and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR), every workplace must have a health and safety management system of some sort in place.
For many businesses, particularly those that are small and carry out low-risk operations, establishing a health and safety management system at work requires only a few, straightforward steps such as the creation of a health and safety policy and risk assessments. If you have fewer than five employees, you need not have written evidence of these.
Services for Small BusinessesThe Health and Safety Executive advises that “the approach you take should be proportionate to the size of your business and the nature of your business activity”. We wholeheartedly agree with this statement and are happy to advise you of your specific legal requirements. If you require help in implementing a health and safety policy and risk assessments, then we can assist you in that.
You may also find this publication from the HSE useful: INDG 449: Health and safety made simple
If you employ five or more people, or your operations affect other people or are higher risk than simple office work, the requirements on you for a health and safety management system may be greater.
Even low-risk businesses have to take account of the health and safety of their employees and visitors. The law says that if you employ five or more people you must have documented risk assessments and a health and safety policy. Fire precautions and first aid are your responsibility. If your employees regularly use computers you have responsibilities under the Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992.
An effective health and safety management system need not be large or complicated if you run a small or low-risk business. But a system will help you comply with the law, and will ensure that your employees and other people are not at risk from your activities.
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