NEWS RELEASE
20 May 04
B&NES warns companies to bin mail shots from fake ‘Health and
Safety’ agencies
Bath and North East Somerset Council are warning local
companies and organisations about mail shots they may receive from
three firms about compliance with Health and Safety legislation.
The letters demand payment for information they claim is a legal
requirement.
Local Councils and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) who
jointly enforce Health and Safety nationwide have received
numerous queries and complaints about the scams.
The companies in question are:
- A company claiming to be based in Liverpool calling itself
the ‘Health and Safety Enforcement Agency’ (HSEA) which demands
£125 for a compliance pack.
-
‘The Health and Safety Compliance Agency’ with a Manchester
address who say that a safety compliance register becomes law on
1st May and requests £129.25 to register applications.
-
‘The Health and Safety Registration Enforcement Division’ (HSRED)
which gives a Rochdale address and tells recipients to pay £249
for registration.
Police are investigating all three companies.
Bath and North East Somerset Council Environmental Protection
Manager Simon Harwood explained, “All companies and organisations
in this country are regulated by one of two bodies. Neither levies
charges for inspections or demands payment for literature on
services which have not been provided. Local councils look after
businesses in the service and consumer sectors, and the Health and
Safety Executive for other sectors.
“All organisations must be on their guard against unsolicited
demands for fees from any self styled Health and Safety body. If
in doubt, they should contact their Council or the Health and
Safety Executive,” he added.
The numbers people can contact are
Keith Fowler Principal Environmental Health Officer at Bath and
North East Somerset Council on (01225)396914 or The Health
and Safety Executive Hotline – 08701 545500 or South West Office –
0117 9886000.
Notes to Editors:
- Bath and North East Somerset Council’s Environmental and
Consumer Service has published a Health and Safety Handbook
which is free. It is given out to all businesses during routine
health and safety inspections.
- Copies of The Health and Safety Starter Pack: Health and
Safety Advice and Guidance for New and Small Businesses are
available from HSE Books, priced £30. ISBN 0 7176 2738 or log
onto: www.hsebooks.com,
further information can be found on HSE’s website: http://www.hse.gov.uk/smallbusinesses/pack.htm
The pack contains most of the basic health and safety advice
you need to help your business comply with the law and protect its
employees. It also includes copies of the HSE Accident Book and
the Health and Safety Law Poster, which must be displayed in your
business premises.
For more information call:
Keith Fowler, Bath and North East Somerset Council. Tel
:(01225)396914
Issued by
Julia Dean
Communications &
Marketing
Bath & North East
Somerset
Guildhall
Bath BA1 5AW
Tel: 01225 477827
Fax: 01225 477499
email:
julia_dean@bathnes.gov.uk
