“ One thing that stands out about my job is the sheer variety of premises you inspect - from a small business to some of the biggest players in UK industry. Another is how you have to think on your feet - sometimes a bit of advice is all that's needed, at other times you need to take formal action to enforce the law. ” Emily Wilson, Trainee Inspector

What does the Health and Safety Executive do?

Our role is to prevent death, injury and ill health to those at work and those affected by work activities. HSE’s health and safety strategy has four overall objectives:

  • To reduce the number of work-related fatalities, injuries and cases of ill health;
  • To gain widespread commitment and recognition of what real health and safety is about;
  • To motivate all those in the health and safety system as to how they can contribute to an improved health and safety performance;
  • To ensure that those who fail in their health and safety duties are held to account.

Last year 29.3 million days were lost to British industry as a result of work place injury and work related ill health caused by work activities. 180 workers were killed at work, more than 27,594 people suffered a major injury caused by work activities and 1.2 million people suffered from work related ill health. These are the facts. We want to achieve a record of workplace health and safety that leads the world.

How we do it

There are many ways that we promote health and safety: by providing information, guidance and advice for example, as well as promoting training and commissioning research. On the legal side of things, we’ve developed a goal setting system of regulation – and of course, we also enforce the law.

As workplaces change, so do health and safety needs. It’s a dynamic and evolving arena that is constantly presenting fresh challenges. So we are always looking at new, innovative and imaginative ways to build an effective health and safety culture in the UK: one that will protect people and save more lives.