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Health & Safety Executive

Health and Safety Executive

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is responsible for protecting people from most of the risks to health and safety arising from work activity in Britain. The HSE was established by the Heath and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

HSE employs around 3400 staff, including engineers, administrators, lawyers, scientists and inspectors, who regulate health and safety in nuclear installations, mines, factories, farms, hospitals and schools, offshore gas and oil installations. HSE also regulates the safety of the gas grid, the movement of dangerous goods and substances, and many other aspects of the protection of workers and the general public. Local authorities are responsible to HSE for enforcement of health and safety legislation in offices, shops and other parts of the services sector.

HSC and HSE are sponsored by the Department of Work and Pensions and is ultimately accountable to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. Our designated Minster is Parliamentary Under Secretary for Work and Pensions Lord McKenzie of Luton.

Work of the Legal Team

HSE employs about 18 lawyers, supported by a team of law clerks and administrators, who advise the HSE. The Office is split into three divisions; two Advisory and Drafting Divisions, and the Litigation and Enforcement Advice Division.

The Advisory and Drafting Division

These divisions provide general advice on all aspects of health and safety law. Advisory portfolios include the nuclear, oil, gas, and fire industries, construction, occupational stress, environment issues such as tobacco smoke, and biocides, amongst others. Lawyers will have involvement with high profile issues such as the Buncefield explosion and the government’s policy on new nuclear power stations. Advisory and drafting lawyers are also responsible for the drafting of statutory instruments, many of which originate from European measures, and are involved at all stages from negotiation of the text of Directives to consultation on proposed Regulations. The Corporate Advisory team provides advice on a number of corporate issues including contract, tort, information law (Freedom of Information and Data Protection Act), employment, copyright and intellectual property rights and procurement law issues.

The Litigation and Corporate Advisory Division

The Litigation and Enforcement Advice Division is responsible for a wide variety of casework including direct responsibility for the more complex and/or high profile prosecutions under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The team also monitors and liaises with solicitor agents handling lower profile cases on behalf of the organisation. The team’s portfolio also includes appeals against Enforcement Notices before the Employment Tribunal and a variety of civil litigation. The team provides enforcement advice; legal training and updates to operational staff, policy advisory work and lead on liaison with other prosecution agencies. Legal Trainee Opportunities.

Legal Trainee Opportunities

HSE took its first trainee solicitor in 2002 and has hosted a number of trainees from other departments for single seats. Our own trainee solicitors will undertake two seats in HSE and will then go on secondment to another GLS team to undertake further training.

Location

HSE’s London Office is currently based on Southwark Bridge in close proximity to the Temple, the Royal Courts of Justice and the Central Criminal Court. However, part of the Legal Adviser’s Office is gradually being relocated to Liverpool, this exercise is expected to be completed by early 2010. Lawyers in the Advisory and Drafting Divisions will remain in London, most likely co-located with lawyers in another London government department.

Further Information

Opportunities for qualified lawyers are advertised on the Civil ServiceRecruitment Gateway. Click here to go to the Civil Service Recruitment Gateway (this will open in a new window).

For further information please visit www.hse.gov.uk