Health and Safety Law Poster

The HSE has taken the unusual step of issuing a warning about unscrupulous organisations using scare tactics to sell copies of the new Health and Safety Law Poster.

Beware Questionable Sales Tactics

The kind of erroneous messages that are being used include:

The old law poster is no longer valid and must be replaced now

The law poster must be displayed on every notice board on the premises.

The poster is also being offered for sale at inflated prices.

Background to the Change

Following consultation, the HSE decided it was time to introduce a change to the health and safety poster, which has been around for the past 10 years. Research suggested that it lacked appeal and therefore was rarely being read.

The new version is more visually appealing and easy to understand. It spells out in clear language the responsibilities of employers and employees alike and what to do if something goes wrong.

The Facts

What are the facts?

The new poster and pocket cards were approved by HSE for use by organisations as of 6th April 2009

Old versions are no longer available to purchase but where they already exist, they will continue to be legal until 5th April 2014 as long as the information on them is kept up to date

Options with the new version are to:
- Display the poster in a "prominent position" in each workplace or
- Provide each worker with a copy of the Pocket Card
- For those who require them, other versions are available in the Welsh language, in large print or as an MP3 audio file.
- Posters and Pocket Cards are available direct from the HSE or from reputable booksellers.
- Each poster carries a unique, serially numbered hologram. So if you have already obtained a copy, you are able to establish that it is genuine.

A spokesperson from the HSE is quoted as saying:

"The information that is being sent out by some companies may be misleading under consumer protection legislation and we want to put a stop to it.

If businesses receive any promotions relating to the Law poster or pocket card and are in any doubt about their authenticity they should contact HSE on before parting with their money."

You can read about the new law poster on the HSE website.