Visitors to business premises are sometimes more at risk from workplace hazards than are employees. Employees, after all, are more familiar with the risks, as well as the safety procedures. Employers must put arrangements in place to ensure the safety of visitors. There is a duty of care to all visitors, even those that are uninvited such as burglars.
Although the duty that employers owe to visitors is not as onerous as that owed to their own employees there are safety arrangements that must be made specifically for visitors, as they will not have the experience, training and familiarity with the workplace that the employees have.
Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work, Act 1974 requires employers to conduct their undertakings in such a way that non-employees, eg visitors, who could be affected, are not exposed to risks to their health and safety.
Employers should draw up a list of safety rules for visitors and display them in a prominent position such as the main entrance/reception area.
Employees should be made aware of their responsibilities towards visitors, ensuring that visitors are not left to their own devices whilst on the premises and so that they, the visitors, cannot come into contact with danger from machinery or work practices.
A Visitors Book should also be provided, with a member of staff responsible for ensuring that visitors sign in/out of the premises.