Councillors given safety reminder

Categories: General Health and Safety |


Councillors given safety reminder Local councillors have been reminded that they have extensive responsibilities to ensure health and safety guidelines are followed.

The advice came from the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), as it launched a new guide for elected officials.

It contains recommendations to assist councillors in making informed decisions on safety-related issues, in order to help reduce the chance of council workers suffering injuries.

IOSH president Nattasha Freeman said that councillors need to appreciate the extent of the responsibility they have for health and safety.

"They decide on the budgets, strategies and policies, so they have a major impact on the health and safety resourcing and culture at their authority," she explained.

Ms Freeman added that although councils are often pilloried for their approach to health and safety, officials get the judgements right around 90 per cent of the time.

Councils have to adhere to the same safety laws as commercial organisations, meaning they must provide personal protective equipment such as safety helmets and hi vis clothing where appropriate.ADNFCR-1200-ID-19002778-ADNFCR

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