Health and safety enforcement

The main legislation covering health and safety in all workplaces is the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and regulations made under the Act.

We are responsible for promoting and enforcing health and safety standards within certain types of workplace premises and public venues in Sheffield. For example: 

• offices (except government offices)
• shops
• hotels
• restaurants
• leisure premises
• nurseries and playgroups
• pubs and clubs
• museums (privately owned)
• places of worship
• sheltered accommodation and care homes

We provide advice for workers, businesses or members of the public regarding the following matters.  

We may investigate the matter if applicable:

• asbestos removal advice
• cooling tower registration and inspection
• firework display and bonfire safety advice
• legionnaires disease investigations
• health and safety at work legislation
• public safety in licensed pubs and clubs
• skin piercing standards
• smoke-free legislation
• sunbed safety
• unsafe working conditions 

We maintain a register of information about the issue of Improvement and Prohibition Notices served under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975 and Food and Environment Protection Act 1985. To request a copy of the register please email Health.Protection@sheffield.gov.uk.

Advice for workers

All employees at work are entitled to a safe and healthy environment.

Concern about working conditions

If you are concerned about general working conditions we recommend that you initially take this up with your manager, the owner of the business or an employee health and safety representative if there is one appointed.

Having done this and no action is taken or the response to your complaint is poor you can:

• contact us
• ask us a question online
• make a formal complaint

If we do investigate your concerns we will ensure that this is done maintaining confidentiality of your details.

Advice for businesses

We aim to provide free advice on health and safety to Sheffield businesses who request it.

Please contact us or ask a question online.

Recording accidents

All businesses have a legal responsibility to report work-related accidents causing death or serious injury, industrial diseases and certain ‘dangerous occurrences’.

All businesses should record, in writing, all accidents to employees and non-employees which occur on the work premises. These records should be stored securely according to data protection legislation. 

We advise all businesses to thoroughly investigate all accidents and incidents. Action should then be taken to avoid repetition.

Advice for the public

The Health and Safety at Work Act applies mainly to work activities by employees and the safety of members of the public at work places, this includes shops, public buildings and leisure facilities.

If you believe you are (or have been) exposed to any serious risk as a member of the public posed by a work place you can:

• contact us
• contact the Health and Safety Executive
• ask us a question online
• make a formal complaint