Melwood Facilities provide a range of services when it comes to enforcement support.
When responsible for a business building or property, there could be a time when you need to outsource aid from a competent, experienced and accredited inspector and adviser. With a vast amount of knowledge and experience, Melwood Facilities provide thorough guidance when or if the Enforcing Authorities have entered your premises either in the unfortunate event of an accident, incident or as a random visit. These authorities can include Fire, HSE, Councils, Environment Agency or the EHO.
An Enforcing Authority’s emphasis is on prevention but, where appropriate, they will enforce the law where they find it is being deliberately contravened. Enforcement Authorities will take enforcement action to ensure duty holders:
- Immediately respond to risks in the property
- Fully compliant with contemporary UK legislation
- Are held to account if they fail in their responsibilities.
Powers of inspectors
Inspectors appointed by an enforcing authority under section 19 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA) have broad powers to carry into effect any of the relevant statutory provisions.
The powers set out in sections 20(2) and 25 HSWA include powers to:
- Enter any premises which inspectors think it necessary to enter for the purposes of enforcing HSWA and the relevant statutory provisions
- They may only enter at a ‘reasonable time’, unless they think there is a situation which may be dangerous
- If they have reasonable cause to apprehend serious obstruction, they may take a police officer
- Order areas to be left undisturbed
- Take measurements, photographs and recordings
- Take samples and take possession of, and carry out tests on, articles and substances that appear to have caused (or be likely to cause) danger
- Require the production of, inspect and take copies of relevant documents.
- Require anyone they think might give them relevant information to answer questions and sign a declaration of the truth of the answers.
- Require facilities and assistance to be provided.
- Seize and make harmless (by destruction if necessary) any article or substance which they have reasonable cause to believe is a cause of imminent danger of serious personal injury.
Inspectors are also given any other power which is necessary for the purpose of carrying into effect the relevant statutory provisions.
These visits can be daunting and unnerving. Melwood Facilities are a highly experienced and accredited team which assist with the essential preparation you and your business can take before the visit, and provide face-to-face support during the inspection.
Areas We Cover
For a complete fire risk assessment in Wigan, from a team of fully-accredited, certified fire safety assessors, don’t hesitate to get in touch today.
Here at Melwood, we’re proud to offer industry-leading, local services to properties across the North-West. Some of our most popular areas of service include:
- Greater Manchester (Manchester, Salford, Stockport, Eccles, Wigan, Bolton)
- Lancashire (Preston, Blackpool, Blackburn)
- Merseyside (Liverpool, Warrington, St. Helens)
- Stoke-On-Trent
- Crewe
For more information about our Enforcement Support please contact the Melwood team at hello@melwoodfacilities.co.uk
