THE LAW IN 60 SECONDS | HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 is the primary legislation covering occupational health and safety in the United Kingdom. It sets out the general duties employers have towards employees and members of the public, as well as the duties employees have to themselves and others.

Health and safety laws in the UK are enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local authorities. They conduct inspections, investigate accidents, and have the power to enforce legal compliance through notices and prosecutions.

Employers are responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of their employees at work. This includes providing safe systems of work, adequate training, necessary protective equipment, and conducting risk assessments.

A risk assessment involves identifying potential hazards in the workplace, evaluating the risk associated with those hazards, and implementing control measures to reduce or eliminate the risks. It should be regularly reviewed and updated.

Employees have the right to work in a safe environment, receive adequate training, be provided with necessary protective equipment, and report any health and safety concerns without fear of reprisals.

Yes, employees have the right to refuse to perform work that they reasonably believe poses a serious and imminent danger to their health and safety. They should inform their employer of the concern and seek to resolve the issue before refusing to work.

A Health and Safety Representative is an employee elected or appointed to represent the workforce's health and safety interests. They have the right to inspect the workplace, investigate incidents, and consult with the employer on health and safety matters.

A Health and Safety Policy outlines an organisation’s approach to health and safety, detailing the responsibilities and arrangements in place to manage and control health and safety risks. It is a legal requirement for businesses employing 5 or more people.

COSHH stands for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. It is a UK regulation requiring employers to control substances that can harm workers' health, detailing how to handle, use, store, and dispose of these substances safely.

If an accident occurs at work, it should be reported to a supervisor or manager, recorded in the accident book, and, if necessary, reported to the Health and Safety Executive under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations).

RIDDOR stands for the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations. It requires employers, self-employed people, and those in control of premises to report certain serious workplace accidents, occupational diseases, and specified dangerous occurrences.

Yes, employers are legally obliged to provide health and safety training to their employees. This training should be adequate, appropriate, and provided when employees are first recruited, when risks change, and periodically to refresh knowledge.

PPE stands for Personal Protective Equipment. It includes items such as helmets, gloves, eye protection, and high-visibility clothing. PPE should be used when there are risks to health and safety that cannot be adequately controlled in other ways.

Employers who fail to comply with health and safety laws can face enforcement actions including improvement and prohibition notices, fines, and prosecution. Serious breaches can result in significant financial penalties and imprisonment for responsible individuals.

Employees can contribute by following workplace health and safety procedures, using equipment properly, participating in health and safety training, reporting hazards or unsafe conditions, and cooperating with their employer’s health and safety measures.