Health and safety for businesses

We work with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to enforce health and safety laws in Luton, offering inspections, advice and training to help businesses meet their legal responsibilities and keep workplaces safe.

Health and safety enforcement in Luton

We share responsibility for enforcing health and safety law in workplaces across Luton with the HSE.

Report a health and safety concern at work

You can report a workplace health and safety concern using our online form.

Start now

Who we can help

We are usually the enforcing authority for:

• offices
• shops
• warehouses
• residential care homes
• food businesses
• leisure services
• premises open to the public

The HSE is normally responsible for:

• construction
• engineering
• manufacturing
• schools
• NHS premises

How we plan our work

Each year we review different business sectors and prioritise inspections based on local issues and the highest risk activities. We work closely with businesses during visits and provide advice to help them comply with the law.

Primary authority partnerships

Businesses operating in two or more local authority areas can apply for a Primary authority partnership with a single council. This provides consistent advice and support across all sites.

We do not currently offer a partnership, but businesses interested in exploring this can contact our:

Customer Contact Centre
Telephone: 01582 510330

Questions about health and safety

If you need guidance on health and safety in your business, we are happy to discuss your concerns by phone or arrange a visit.

What to expect during a visit

During a visit, a health and safety officer will look at:

• the workplace
• work activities
• the business’s health and safety management system

Visits may be unannounced, especially following an accident or complaint, but appointments may be made for routine inspections.

Officers may ask to review documents such as:

• health and safety policy
• risk assessments
• maintenance and inspection records
• staff training records
• accident records

Possible enforcement actions

Depending on the level of risk, officers may take one of the following actions:

• informal advice – verbal or written guidance
• improvement notice – 21 days to meet legal requirements
• prohibition notice – stopping an activity or use of equipment immediately or by a set date
• prosecution – if legal requirements or notices are not followed

Sector based projects

We take part in projects aimed at improving health and safety within specific industries.

Health and safety in your business

If you need advice and cannot find the answer on our webpages, you can speak to a health and safety officer: 

Telephone: 01582 510330

Training

Your employer must provide health and safety training relevant to your role.
We also offer the following courses:

• CIEH Level 2 Award in Risk Assessment
• CIEH Level 2 Award in Health and Safety in the Workplace

For current dates and prices:

Telephone: 01582 546169

Licensing requirements

Only some businesses need a licence or registration. This includes those involved in:

• skin piercing
• electrolysis
• acupuncture
• keeping, breeding or boarding animals
• scrap metal businesses

Visit our licensing pages for a full list. 

Food businesses wishing to register should contact the:

Food Control team
Telephone: 01582 510330

Employment Medical Advisory Service

The Employment Medical Advisory Service (EMAS), delivered by HSENI, provides occupational health advice to organisations and individuals. This includes guidance on health issues related to work for:

• employers
• employees
• trade unions
• regulators
• healthcare professionals and others

For more information on the Employment Medical Advisory Service, see the below document.