Is HSE the correct enforcing authority for you?
This page lists the type of workplaces HSE is responsible for and those where Local Authorities have responsibility. It also lists some other enforcing authorities (eg for food, environment and railways) you may find useful.
HSE's responsibilities
HSE is responsible for enforcing health and safety at workplaces including:
- factories
- farms
- building sites
- mines
- schools and colleges
- fairgrounds
- gas, electricity and water systems
- hospitals and nursing homes
- central and local government premises
- offshore installations
Local authorities
You should contact your local authority environmental health department if you have a query about the following type of premises:
- offices (except government offices)
- shops
- hotels
- restaurants
- leisure premises
- nurseries and playgroups
- pubs and clubs
- museums (privately owned)
- places of worship
- sheltered accommodation and care homes
Other enforcing authorities
You may find this list of enforcing authorities and contact details useful.
| Concern | Enforcing body |
|---|---|
| Nuclear installations | Office for Nuclear Regulation |
| Poor food hygiene | Environmental Health Department (Local Authority) GOV.UK |
| Pollution, including nuisance noise | Environmental Health (Local Authority) GOV.UK |
| Problems with goods and services you have bought | Trading Standards (Local Authority) GOV.UK |
| Road, highways and pavements | Highways Department (Local Authority) GOV.UK |
| Unstable/dangerous buildings | Building Control (Local Authority) GOV.UK |
| Road traffic issues | Police |
| Roadworthiness of vehicles | Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency |
| Railway health and safety | Office of Rail and Road (ORR) |
| Waste disposal, contaminated ground, some air pollution issues | Environment Agency |
| Care of patients and users of health and social care services in England | Care Quality Commission |
| Care of patients in health services in Scotland | Healthcare Improvement Scotland |
| Care of patients in health services in Wales | Healthcare Inspectorate Wales |
| Care of users of social care services in Scotland | Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland |
| Care of users of social care services in Wales | Care Inspectorate Wales |
| Repairs of council owned property | Housing Ombudsman Service |
| Conditions for and treatment of those in prison | Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons |
| Concerns about patient safety – Doctors | General Medical Council |
| Concerns about patient safety – Nurses & Midwives | Nursing and Midwifery Council |
| Welfare facilities at schools | Department of Education |
| Occupational health and safety of flight crew and cabin crew on aircraft and health of passengers on aircraft | Civil Aviation Authority |
| Concerns about marine safety including certification, pollution and health, safety & welfare of seafarers | Maritime and Coastguard Agency |