How we work

HSE operational staff

HSE's operational inspectors and Health and Safety Awareness Officers deal with a range of industries including the Textiles, industries on a day to day basis. They do this by a range of methods including:

• On-site inspections (announced and unannounced)
• Investigation of accidents and complaints
• Providing guidance and support at visits, by phone or at industry events
• Safety awareness days
• Enforcement where necessary.

HSE's Manufacturing Sector provides support at national level for the textiles industries and for the inspectors who deal with them.

Our main responsibilities are to:

• gather intelligence
• agree industry standards
• support compliance activities to meet the Government's Revitalising H&S targets on reducing injuries and occupational ill health
• monitor the performance of the industries we cover
• support policy development and implementation.
• communicate with industry sector stakeholders, including trade associations and trades unions
• publish guidance in consultation with key stakeholders

TEXIAC is the industry advisory committee for the textiles, leather and footwear industries. Industry works in collaboration with HSE and the trade unions to improve standards. It also has an advisory role to the Health and Safety Commission. TEXIAC is currently working on ways of raising awareness of two particular problems: noise and manual handling.

TEXIAC plays a partnership role in delivering the HSC's Strategy for Health and Safety. It contributes by leading the health and safety agenda for its member bodies to reach audience in a manner that avoids the perceived threat of enforcement.

• More about TEXIAC