Just a reminder that the old health & safety law poster must be replaced by the new version by 5th April 2014. After that date, employers must give their staff either a copy of a pocket card or leaflet (both of which are free to download from the HSE’s website) OR display the newer version of the poster.
What are my legal duties?
Employers have a legal duty under the Health and Safety Information for Employees Regulations (HSIER) to display the approved poster in a prominent position in each workplace or to provide each worker with a copy of the approved leaflet that outlines British health and safety law.
What’s different on the new poster?
Unlike the previous poster and leaflet, the new poster and leaflet do not require the employer to provide further information in writing, either on the poster or with the leaflet, giving workers the name and address of the enforcing authority and Employment Medical Advisory Service (EMAS). Instead, workers are advised to go to HSE’s website to find relevant addresses. The new poster does still have optional boxes where details of any worker health and safety representatives and other health and safety contacts can be added. It is not a legal requirement to include this information but it may be helpful to workers.
