This leaflet is for employers, managers and workers, safety representatives and those responsible for health and safety. It tells you how to develop the right arrangements to manage back pain. It also gives a summary of legal responsibilities on manual handling and describes sources of further information, such as guidelines from the Faculty of Occupational Medicine.
Download Backworks NI (235 k)
Issued: 04-04-2006

Reporting accidents and ill health at work is a legal requirement under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 (RIDDOR). This leaflet explains how the Regulations affect employers, the self-employed and those in control of work premises. It explains the actions that need to be taken following a death or major injury, an over three-day injury, a dangerous occurrence or a case of disease and explains each of these categories in detail. The leaflet also contains a copy of the statutory Report Forms - NI2508 and NI2508A and information on the appropriate enforcement authority to send the report to.
Download Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurences (RIDDOR) (165 k)
Issued: 25-07-2007

"I know I have to do a risk assessment - but where do I start?" This booklet has been written specifically for the small business that needs a helping hand in carrying out a risk assessment. All employers have a legal duty to do so under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1992 and this booklet explains the key components of the process. It takes the employer step by step through a risk assessment and explains how to draw up an Action Plan. A must for a small business, looking for a simple but effective way of understanding their legal duties.
Download Risk Assessment Simplified (64 k)
Issued: 23-02-2006

Using chemicals or other hazardous substances at work can put people’s health at risk so the law requires employers to control exposure to hazardous substances to prevent ill health. They have to protect both employees and others who may be exposed, by complying with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003, (COSHH (NI)).
This leaflet taking in the 2005 Amendment is witten as a step by step approach to the Regulations, which will help you to assess risk, implement any measures needed to control exposure and establish good working practices.
The leaflet is written mainly for employers to help them meet their specific duties under COSHH (NI) but it will also be useful to safety representatives, health and safety professionals and anyone interested in health and safety issues.
Download COSHH (NI) A brief guide to the regulations (141 k)
Issued: 29-11-2005

This leaflet is a brief guide on health and safety law. It does not describe the law in detail, but it does list the key points.
Download Health and Safety Law in Northern Ireland - What you should know (106 k)
Issued: 21-06-2005

Health and Safety and Human Survival
Tony Benn
Former Labour MP and Cabinet Minister
Download the Annual Health and Safety Lecture 2004 (616 k)
Issued: 23-03-2005

This book illustrates the general scope of the laws covering health and safety at work. It will be of particular value to anyone starting up a new firm, managing a small work unit, preparing a safety policy for a company or a student looking for general health and safety information. It gives practical guidance on how to identify work hazards, assess the risks to employees and others and plan the actions needed to reduce or eliminate risk The book is divided into three main sections: -organising for safety; what to look for (information on commmon hazards) and a reference section.
Download The Guide to Workplace Health & Safety (651 k)
Issued: 01-08-2003

In Northern Ireland it is estimated that almost one in five people of working age has a long-term disability. It is also recognised that the likelihood of acquiring a long-term disability increases with advancing age.

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) which applies to employers with fifteen or more employees, makes it unlawful to discriminate against disabled people in terms of recruitment, promotion, training, working conditions or dismissal. The DDA also places a duty on employers to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ within their workplace for disabled workers. Employers’ concerns about health and safety issues have been identified as an artificial barrier to employment for disabled people.2 Employers may have limited information about disability and be uncertain about whether the DDA or health and safety at work legislation should take precedence.
This practical guide aims to clarify your responsibilities as an employer under both the DDA and health and safety at work legislation. It explains the main issues, uses case studies to illustrate practical steps which can be taken and provides information on local sources of advice.
Download Balancing Disability Rights and Health and Safety Requirements (83 k)
Issued: 30-06-2004

These guidelines address drugs and alcohol, volatile substances and over the counter preparations. They describe the approach to policy development and implementation.
Download the Guidelines on Developing and Implementing Workplace Drugs and Alcohol Policies (230 k)
Issued: 29-08-2003

This template provides a framework for employers' written policies on drugs and alcohol.
Download An Example of a Model Drugs and Alcohol Policy (96 k)
Issued: 29-08-2003

Advice for outdoor workers
Download 'Keep Your Top On' leaflet
Issued: 08 05 07

Going to work for the first time can be exciting and a bit strange. It can sometimes be dangerous. This is true whether you work in a factory or an office or on a farm. Fortunately most dangers are recognisable and can be avoided. This leaflet does not replace any safety rules or training, instead it aims to explain to a young person the common causes of accidents and how to prevent them. It is specifically aimed at young people starting work for the first time eg, a student or pupil on work experience.
Download Mind How You Go (1577 k)
Issued: 01-08-2003

Why Consider Sick Absence?

Learning Circle Presentation (10 mb)
One million workers take time off because of sickness and most return to work within days.

CIPD, HSE and Acas, have launched a free online toolkit a link to which can be found in the above PowerPoint presentation.

Who is the toolkit for? SME line managers and those working in larger organisations

Why is this important? Decrease in sickness absence rates with trained line managers.

What does the toolkit help managers do?    •Identify an absence problem

                                                                              •Develop an absence strategy

                                                                              •Deal with short-term absence

                                                                              •Deal with long-term absence

Accidents don't just happen, there is always a reason for them. Employers need to plan and control everything that is done in the workplace so that accidents don't occur. This leaflet sets out in 3 simple steps what an employer's duty is with regard to accident prevention.
Download the Accident Prevention - Safety Pays Information Sheet (275 k)
Issued 01-08-2003

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations requires employers to carry out a risk assessment of their undertaking. The '5 Steps' video explains a simple, systematic approach to risk assessment, from hazard identification through to producing a written assessment. This video is currently out of stock.
Request the Video or Dvd of 5 Steps to Risk Assessment

Most employers are required by the law to insure against liability for injury or disease to their employees arising out of their employment. This guide is intended to help you to understand what is required.
Employer's Liability (Defective Equipment and Compulsory Insurance) -Guidance for Employer's (8815 k)
Issued 22 11 2006

COSHH essentials provides advice on controlling the use of chemicals for a range of common tasks, eg mixing, or drying.
This website will take you through a number of steps and ask for information about your tasks and chemicals. This will take several minutes to complete.
To provide this information you will need a safety data sheet for each chemical to supply details such as risk phrases (R-phrases).
View E-COSHH Essentials