The local authority is looking to update its current Health and Safety Enforcement Policy in line with the Health and Safety Executive’s Enforcement Policy, minor changes to its guidance and to include the General Data Protection rules that came into force this year.
The council’s Health and Safety Enforcement Policy sets out its approach to enforcement and where its officers can take action to enforce the law when issues have been identified.
The draft policy document states any interventions will be risk-based and that the council will “strive to fulfil the relevant HSE enforcement objectives and priority programmes to reduce risks to health and to protect people”.
“The council believes in firm, but fair, enforcement of the law,” the document states.
“It is its policy that all enforcement action should be proportionate to the health and safety risks and to the seriousness of any breach of law.
“The council considers that appropriate use of enforcement powers is important, both to secure compliance with health and safety law and to ensure that those who have a legal duty (duty holders) are held to account for significant failures.”
It adds the local authority will ensure that its enforcement action is “proportionate to the health and safety risks” and to the seriousness of any breach of the law.
This includes any actual or potential harm arising from any breach, and the economic impact of the action taken.
East Cambridgeshire District Council’s Environmental Services Manager, Liz Knox, said: “Whenever the council makes changes to policies which affect the general public we like to invite people to come forward and have their say.
“If health and safety enforcement is an area in which you’d like to express your interest, do visit the website and send us your thoughts.”
The consultation will be available on the council website until midnight on 21 September.
