Health and safety

Our public protection division (health and safety section) is the enforcing authority for over 5000 workplaces in the city. They enforce health and safety legislation in retailing, some warehouses, most offices, hotels and catering, sports, leisure, consumer services and places of worship. Premises are risk rated so that those that present the most risk are inspected more frequently.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) covers workplaces such as building sites, factories, farms, mines, hospitals, local government and central government premises and other places where there is a work activity. HSE is also responsible for enforcement where the home is the place of work. If your enquiry is about any of these places please contact your nearest HSE office. Alternatively, you can contact them through the Health and Safety Executive website (link opens in a new window).

Please contact us if you are uncertain of the enforcing authority for your premises.

Under the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act 1963 certain businesses must be registered with the local authority. This does not apply if you employ only direct family members, or if the period of time worked there during each week does not normally exceed 21 hours in total by all employees. Please contact us to obtain an OSR1 registration form.

In addition, separate registration is required if you undertake acupuncture, ear piercing, hairdressing, tatooing or electrolysis. For these activities a one-off registration fee is applicable. Your premises must be registered with with us prior to undertaking these activities in Hull.

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 1999

As an employer you have a legal duty to protect your employees and anyone else who might be affected by hazardous substances used in your workplace. Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regualtions (COSHH) 1999 you must look at all substances that may be harmful to health and decide whether your employees and any other people such as contractors, visitors and members of the public are, or could be, significantly exposed. This is called assessment.

To assist in the completion of a COSHH assessment you may want to visit the COSHH essentials website (link opens in a new window). You can enter details of substances stored or used and the site will then generate an assessment for you.

Contact us

Environmental health service
Health and safety section

Tel: (01482) 300 300
Fax: (01482) 615 453
Email: environmental.health@hullcc.gov.uk