Your health and safety responsibilities!

Regulations which are now law have been brought about to reduce accidents in the workplace. The new rules force managers of buildings to ensure that installed work equipment is regularly inspected and maintained.

Who is liable?

The AIS (Association of Interior Specialists), which represents Britain's leading producers and installers of movable partitions, has been at the forefront of campaigning for proper regulations to ensure moving partitions are correctly installed and properly maintained. The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, places legal duties on building managers. These include ensuring that equipment such as doors and partitions that move along track systems are inspected to ensure correct and safe installation and operation, and that the equipment is maintained in efficient working order and in good repair. Be aware, it is not only the building manager or owner that will liable under the legislation. It is increasingly common for buildings and the installed to be maintained by either the original builder, architect or premises and facilities management organisation - all these could be liable under the regulations.

What the AIS advise:

• Ensure every partition has an operations & maintenance manual

• Ensure it is fitted by a company that provides a comprehensive and regular inspection and maintenance manual

• Keep adequate records or maintenance procedures

For more information on the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations Act 1998 please visit their website.