Harrogate subject to 'health and safety drive'

Businesses in Harrogate are being sent letters warning them of a new health and safety initiative being launched in the area.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Harrogate borough council are to start a new drive called Harrogate Safer Business Community, which will see inspectors scrutinise health and safety standards of firms on three different business parks - Barker Business Park in Melmerby, Hornbeam Business Park in Harrogate and Marston Moor in Tockwith.

In addition to carrying out checks, the two organisations are to offer health and safety help and advice to companies, so they can safeguard the workplace wellbeing of their staff.

Chris Flint, HSE principal inspector and leader of the project, claims the plan will be beneficial to bosses and said those in positions of authority play an important role in the whole process.

"There is no doubt the people best placed to make workplaces safer and more secure are the staff and managers who work with them," he stated.

In other news, four local authorities in Derbyshire have signed up to a HSE campaign aimed at carrying out effective risk assessments, in a bid to make the workplace a safer place to be.