A sensible approach to health and safety means focusing on the significant risks – those with potential to cause real harm and suffering - and avoiding wasting resources on everyday and insignificant risks.
These pages will help you find the right balance - whether you are a councillor, head of service, line manager, employee, or health and safety representative.
Real work-related risks
Some aspects of local authority work can present a risk of real harm or suffering to employees, contractors, service users and the public.
'It's because of health and safety' - tackling myths and misunderstandings
Health and safety is often used as an excuse to stop activities or disguise unpopular decisions - giving rise to myths and misunderstandings. This guide is based on 3 simple questions to support you in making decisions that are sensible and challenging those that give rise to myths: