The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 imposes certain duties on individuals, businesses and, organisations e.g.
- Every employer must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all employees.
- Employers must conduct their businesses in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that people outside the business are not exposed to risks to their health & safety. Self-employed people have a similar duty.
There are also certain duties on employees -
- Employees at work must take reasonable care over the health and safety of themselves and of people who might be affected by their acts or omissions - for example, visitors, or the public, or other employees. It follows that there are duties on employers to make sure their employees are able to meet these duties.
Employees at work must cooperate with their employers to ensure that employers can comply with all the requirements of health & safety law.
As well as these general duties, the law also imposes more detailed regulations on all businesses and individuals. Examples are -
- The duty to have a health & safety policy and to make it available to employees.
- The duty to do risk assessments.
- The duty to train employees in health and safety.
- The duty to provide a safe working environment.
The law also imposes detailed requirements in particular industries and circumstances. A few examples are -
- Detailed regulations about the provision and use of equipment.
- Detailed regulations & codes of practice about procedures in specific industries e.g. the construction industry.
