Memo 2/10: Health and Safety Law Poster
Departments will be aware that in April 2009, the Health and Safety Executive published a new version of its approved health and safety law poster. The new poster has been completely re-designed to be more readable and engaging, with the intension of making health and safety information more accessible and to set out the responsibilities of both the employer and the employee more clearly.
The new posters need not be displayed immediately, and there is a five-year transition period within which the old version can be replaced. The new posters must be on display no later than 5 April 2014.
Unlike the previous approved poster, the new poster does not require the employer to provide further information in writing about the name and address of the enforcing authority (HSE), and the address of the Employment Medical Advisory Service (EMAS). Instead, employees are advised to phone the HSE Infoline to be put in touch with these services.
The new approved poster does continue to have boxes where details of any health and safety representatives, i.e. from the recognised trade unions, and other health and safety contacts, i.e. the Safety Office and the Occupational Health Service, can be added. Although departments will still be complying with the law if they continue to display the old version of the poster, they must ensure that this additional information is kept up to date until the poster is replaced.
The Safety Office has a supply of the new approved health and safety law posters, which it will provide to departments free of charge. Departments wishing to replace their old version should contact the Safety Office to make arrangements for collection. Departments will be limited to one poster for each building under their control.
March 2010