Vale of White Horse District Council
Abbey House, Abbey Close,
Abingdon, OX14 3JE
Email: comments@whitehorsedc.gov.uk
Telephone: 01235 520202

Vale of White Horse District Council

Health and safety inspections

Health and Safety law is enforced by inspectors from the Vale’s Food and Safety Team or from the Health and Safety Executive depending on the type of business. To find out which authority is responsible for your business see Which workplaces does the Council have enforcement responsible for?

Inspectors have the right to enter any workplace, at a reasonable time, without giving notice, though notice may be given where the inspector thinks it is appropriate.

On a normal inspection visit an inspector would expect to look at the workplace, the work activities, your management of health and safety, and check that you are complying with health and safety law.       

The inspector may take photographs and samples, serve improvement notices and take action if there is a risk to health and safety that needs to be dealt with immediately.          

If the inspector finds a serious breach of health and safety law, the inspector will decide what action to take. For more details about what kind of action can be taken see How the Council enforces the food and safety legislation.

How to make a complaint about an inspection

If you feel these procedures have not been followed then you can contact the Council’s Food and Safety Team Leader to discuss the matter. If you are still not satisfied you can make a formal complaint - if you wish you can do this online using our Comments, complaints and suggestions form.

You can also contact the Health and Safety Executive's Local Authority Unit who may pass your complaint onto the Health and Safety Commission.