The HSE has published new posters, which are modern, eye-catching and engaging. The move comes after a research conducted some time back, which showed that the poster and leaflet approved in 1999 were unattractive and were rarely noticed or read by anyone. The new posters are printed using numbered lists and cover all basic points on safety regulations to be followed by the employers and the employees. The leaflets have been published in a pocket card format that makes it easier for workers to carry and access the information.
Under the Health and Safety Information for Employees Regulations (HSIER), it is the legal responsibility of the employers to display the safety information in a prominent position in the workplace or to provide a copy of the same as leaflets to the workers if the display is not possible. The safety instructions covered by the posters and leaflets has been outlined by British health and safety laws.
The new design is expected to create a clearer understanding of the key health and safety procedures to be adopted among both workers and employers. Administrative cost for the employers will also be reduced since they need not add further information to update their previous posters.
However, employers can continue to use their old versions of the material if they are in a good condition and the contact information of the Employment Medical Advisory Service and the enforcing authority are up to date. Only new posters and leaflets will be made available from now and the old version will be phased out before a 2014 deadline. Further information can be obtained from the HSE Infoline on 0845 345 0055.
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