Health and safety inspections

Where we inspect

We only visit and inspect businesses within County Durham, for which we have enforcement responsibility (see the HSE A-Z Guide to Allocation for a full list).

The types of business we visit include:

• offices
• retail or wholesale shops
• warehouses
• hotels
• caterers
• sport and leisure activities
• consumer services (e.g. launderettes, hairdressers and undertakers) 
• residential care homes
• places of worship (e.g. churches)
• pre-school child care
• mobile vending

We do not inspect those businesses where Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the enforcing authority at. This includes:

• nursing homes
• factories and other manufacturers
• car repair workshops
• construction activities
• council premises

When we visit

Generally planned inspections are carried out in only the highest risk businesses, and in most cases they are carried out without prior notification to the business operator. 

Why we visit

In addition to carrying out an inspection, we may visit for other reasons

• to gather information about a new business, or businesses that were previously unknown to us
• to investigate complaints about health and safety relating to a business activity 
• as part of our health and safety intervention programme that focuses on specific local or national issues 
• as part of an investigation into an accident, dangerous occurrence or a case of industrial disease
• as part of a survey or special initiative.          

What we check

During an inspection, we check that any hazards which arise out of or in connection with work have been identified, and the associated risks adequately controlled. We will look at the level of health and safety training of managers and employees to ensure that it is suitable. Checks will also be made on the adequacy of structural and environmental conditions and that plant and equipment are safe.

What we can do

Where work practices or conditions are less than  satisfactory we will take action to resolve the situation in accordance with our Enforcement Policy.

What happens next

We aim to respond to complaints and requests for service within three working days.