Health and safety checks for local businesses

More than 500 businesses in the West Yorkshire region are to be checked over their health and safety practices.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) joins together with local authorities to visit the businesses in Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield to ensure that legislation is being followed correctly.

Major industrial and commercial business parks will be part of the check which will encompass businesses employing just a handful to those with hundreds in their workforce. During 2008/09 the Yorkshire and Humber region saw 24 people fatally injured at work while 2,840 suffered serious injuries at work.

John Rowe, a principal inspector for the HSE said that the campaign, which starts today, will see the HSE and local councils working together to make a difference. He said: “Companies will be given the support and advice they need to turn their workplaces into safer, healthier working environments for the benefit of their employees and members of the public.

“However, we won’t hesitate to take enforcement action should we come across any significant safety breaches putting people at risk.”

Councillor Mary Harkin, who is responsible for health and safety at Kirklees Council, said that she expected the campaign to help reduce accidents in the workplace throughout the region.

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