Brief Introduction to the Health And Safety At Work Act 1974
In order to fully appreciate the requirements of health and safety we must take a brief look at the main legislation covering health & safety in the UK – The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
In summary the Act…
- Sets out the general principles for health and safety at work. Including the employer and employee’s duty of care.
- Applies to work places within the UK
- Is an enabling act, which allows other Regulations to be made under it (for example; Manual Handling Operations Regulations, Management of H&S Regulations)
- Establishes the concept of ‘reasonably practicable’ – employers must balance risk against cost.
- Sets penalties for a breach of the Act which include fines that can include to an unlimited fine and prison sentences of up to 2 years.
Within your workplace a health and safety law poster (shown above) should be displayed. This details both your employers responsibility and your own. Do you know where the poster is located in your workplace?