Fire safety
Please contact Surrey County Council's fire and rescue service for any queries relating to fire safety law. For any emergencies, call 999.
Health and safety investigations
We carry out inspections according to the level of risk we think likely at any premises. We are guided by the national code and our accident and incident selection criteria.
During an inspection, we focus on activities that are responsible for the most cases of ill-health or the greatest number of serious accidents. We also investigate complaints concerning poor welfare facilities for employees.
Where we find work conditions do not meet required standards, we will take appropriate action.
Guidance for businesses
Free guidance is available on the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) website. Small businesses in particular may find their example risk assessments useful covering workplaces such as offices, local shops, food businesses and warehouses.
If you are a new business visit the Health and safety basics for your business section of the HSE site, which provides a useful checklist. There is also a list of frequently asked health and safety questions.
We can provide basic further advice if we are your enforcing authority (most consumer service industry workplaces such as retail leisure and non public sector offices).
Coronavirus - COVID19
Protecting People from Covid-19
Currently, the measures you should take to protect employees and the public include:
- Protecting workers who should be shielding
- Working from home where possible
- Social distancing people in and around workplaces
- Staggering work shifts
- Providing additional hand washing facilities.
Advice for specific types of business may be found here: Working safely during coronavirus
Risk assessment
Each employer will need to assess the risks of Coronavirus and determine what control measures are required. After completing their risk assessment staff should be given detailed instruction as to what is required of them. Signage may be required for members of the public. More information on risk assessment can be found here: Managing risks and risk assessment at work
Employee concerns
If you are not happy with the action taken in your workplace you should first discuss this with your employer. If there are more than 4 employees you can ask to see a copy of their risk assessment.
Legionella
If you are a business owner or operator, a landlord or property manager, or you manage a water system, you need to be aware of the risks of legionella around water stagnating.
Legionella is a bug that can cause serious respiratory health problems. It is associated with fine water particles in the air which can be released in sprays or mists.
Buildings with spray taps, spas, certain air conditioning units or other potential additional sources of legionella should revise their risk assessments before reopening and seek specialist advice if necessary.
This can affect a range of businesses, including:
- hotels
- restaurants
- offices
- car washes
- garden centres
- spas and swimming pools
- hairdressers and beauty therapists
- care homes
As a general principle, outlets on hot and cold water systems should be used at least once a week to maintain a degree of water flow and to minimise the chances of stagnation.
Legionella advice (Health and Safety Executive)
Keep up to date
The guidance on Coronavirus is changing regularly. You should regularly review your risk assessments and stay up to date by visiting the gov.uk website: Business support