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The Role of a Health and Safety Officer

• The health and safety officer’s main aim is to prevent accidents, injuries and work-related illnesses in the workplace. Their role is to create and implement health and safety policies in accordance with the latest legislation and to ensure that these policies are implemented by management and employees.

• One of their most important roles is undertaking regular inspections and risk assessments, and ensuring that any hazards or defects are rectified immediately. They will also keep an accident book and must record and thoroughly investigate any accident, recommending any improvements in safety standards if required.

• Another key role of the health and safety officer in the workplace is training all staff in safety issues, and advising them on protective clothing and equipment where necessary.

• The health and safety officer works very closely with management, as well as health and safety inspectors and trade unions.

• Depending on the nature of the business, the health and safety officer’s duties could involve safeguarding machinery, fire safety, occupational health, noise, control of hazardous substances, manual handling, working with display screen equipment, and environmental health.