|
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is
warning businesses not to be misled into
buying unnecessary and expensive copies of
the health and safety law poster.
Employers have a duty to display the
poster prominently in the workplace or
provide employees with a copy of the
pocket card version. Both poster and card
set out the employer’s and employees’
responsibilities. Apparently there is
some evidence of misleading promotions
wrongly claiming that the old posters must
be replaced immediately and that the new
law poster should be displayed on every
notice board within business premises.
This is incorrect and employers could be
led to believe that they are not meeting
their legal requirements. Employers can
check they have a genuine HSE law poster
by checking the unique, serially numbered
hologram on each poster.
Vinny Kenny, from HSE said:
"The information that is being sent out
by some companies may be misleading under
consumer protection legislation and we
want to put a stop to it. If businesses
receive any promotions relating to the Law
poster or pocket card and are in any doubt
about their authenticity they should
contact HSE on 0845 945 0055 before
parting with their money."
The HSE launched updated versions of
the health and safety law poster and
pocket card in April 2009. The updated
versions provide clearer information for
workers about their right to have their
health and safety properly protected.
Under HSE Information for Employees
Regulations businesses have five years to
switch to the new poster and pocket cards,
so they must be replaced by 5 April 2014.
Employers displaying the old poster after
6 April 2009 must ensure it is legible and
that the addresses of the enforcing
authority and the employment medical
advisory service are up to date.
The new law poster, pocket cards and
Easy Read and Large Print formats can be
ordered from HSE Books on: 01787 881165.
The pocket card and Easy Read and Large
Print formats can also be downloaded free
of charge from the HSE web site.
Internet link:
HSE guidance |
