Ipswich Borough Council has a legal duty to enforce the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and related legislation. On behalf of the Council, the Occupational Health and Safety Team aims to ensure that work premises in the Borough are safe for employees and visitors to them and that accidents are prevented wherever possible.
We:
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inspect places of work to ensure compliance with health and safety law, in accordance with government priorities
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use educational techniques as well as legal means to achieve compliance
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investigate accidents to employees or others which occur in workplaces
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investigate complaints about health, safety or welfare in work premises
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license particular premises (eg skin piercing, sex shops)
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advise other council departments about health and safety at events with a Public Entertainment Licence, cinemas, theatres etc.
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work with Planning and Building Control Officers to advise on the health and safety implications of new developments
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give advice to customers and all stakeholders on health and safety issues
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work with other health professionals in Suffolk and nationally
What You Can Expect
We will:
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carry out regular and usually unannounced inspections of workplaces
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investigate relevant workplace accidents within one working day of being notified
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respond to complaints about health and safety in workplaces within two working days
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respond to requests for advice or information about health and safety within two working days
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respond to letters or emails about health and safety issues within five working days
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keep you fully informed of the progress made with your enquiry or complaint
About Us
Your Occupational Health and Safety team totalling 
approximately 4.5 full time officers consists of professional, technical and administrative staff. The team forms part of Commercial Services, which also includes Food Safety and Port Health. Commercial Services is part of the Environmental Services grouping, which also includes Animal Welfare, Pest Control and Pollution Services.
Environmental Health Officers (EHO's) usually train for four years to achieve their professional degree in environmental health and additionally must pass other professional exams after qualifying in order to practise as an EHO.
Our Environmental Health Assistants or Technical Officers are appointed for their specific technical expertise in health and safety, often to degree level. Ipswich Borough Council is committed to providing practical placements for student EHO's as part of their training and we are often assisted by one or more students.
Administrative support is vital to the continuing success and quality performance of the team and we have dedicated administrative officers for this purpose.
The principles of Taking Ipswich Forward (the Council's statement of its vision, service priorities and values) underpins the work of the Occupational Health and Safety Service. The Occupational Health and Safety Service costs 66p per Ipswich resident per year from Council Tax.
Help Us To Help You
Please contact us by any of the means listed in the Information section below, if you wish to make a complaint about health, safety or welfare conditions in a workplace. Please have full details ready of the premises concerned when you contact us.
Some workplaces within the Ipswich Borough will be the responsibility of the Health and Safety Executive, rather than Ipswich Borough Council, according to the nature of the work carried out. We can advise you who the relevant 'enforcing authority' for health and safety purposes is, when you contact us. If you make a complaint about a workplace, we will require your name, address and contact details so that we can keep you informed of our progress.
Ipswich Borough Council has signed up to the Cabinet Office Enforcement Concordat which commits us to good enforcement practices. We also have an Enforcement Policy in place for Environmental Services which is available upon request.
Ipswich Borough Council will ensure that its services are equally available and accessible to all sections of the community and that customers will be dealt with in a fair manner.
Contact Information
Ipswich Borough Council
Occupational Health and Safety Service
4th Floor
Grafton House
15-17 Russell Road
Ipswich IP1 2DE
Telephone: (01473) 433019
Fax: (01473) 433062
Email: healthandsafety@ipswich.gov.uk
Our Customer Services Offices at the Town Hall are open from:
08.00 to 18.00 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
10.00 to 18.00 Wednesday
9.30 - 12.30 Saturday
Emergencies outside office hours:
(01473) 433444
Ipswich Borough Council is proud of the services it provides to the people of Ipswich.
If you are not satisfied with the service you receive please contact:
Ann Bryant
Commercial Services Manager
Ipswich Borough Council
4th Floor
Grafton House
15-17 Russell Road
Ipswich
IP1 2DE
Telephone: (01473) 433019
Email: ann.bryant@ipswich.gov.uk
Documents:
Occupational Health and Safety Service Plan
Occupational Health and Safety Service Plan 2004/05
Sunday Trading Information Sheet
Asbestos Management Pack for Non-Domestic Premises
Related Links
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Companies warned to bin mailshot from fake 'Health and Safety' agencies