Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
The Health and Safety at Work Act Explained
The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 is the primary piece
of legislation governing workplace health and safety in Great
Britain. There are also main pieces of regulation which are
integral to managing health and safety at work. The
implementation of these regulations does not have to be a
daunting, time consuming or costly affair. Follow our guide to
workplace health and safety legislation in the UK for a summary
of the key policies and procedures and understand what you need
to do to keep your work environment healthy, safe and compliant.
What is the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974?
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, sometimes referred
to as HSW, HSWA, HASAW 1974 or HASAWA, is an Act of
Parliament that sets out the framework for managing workplace
health and safety in the UK.
The act defines the general duties of everyone from employers
(section 2) and employees (section 7,8) to owners, managers and
maintainers of work premises (etc) for maintaining health and
safety within most workplaces.
There is, however, further specific legislation for business sectors
that operate within a higher risk environment, such as the
construction industry, chemical manufacturing, etc.
The act itself is a primary piece of legislation set out by the
government. Other regulations which complement the HASAWA
1974 are known as statutory instruments (essentially secondary
, pieces of legislation that may also be referred to as delegated
legislation).
Statutory instruments serve to make small changes, updates or
additions to existing legislation without having to create an entirely
new Bill.
Who enforces Health and Safety Legislation?
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the governmental
appointed body that is responsible for enforcing workplace health
and safety legislation in the UK. However, when it comes to
enacting enforcement, this responsibility is generally divided
between the HSE and relevant local authorities.
What are the main workplace health and safety
regulations?
As previously mentioned, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
is the principal piece of legislation for occupational health and
safety in Great Britain, however, there are other regulations to
implement which are designed to keep your workplace compliant
and safe.
Below is a summary of the key points of health and safety
regulation that most workplaces will need to comply with, although
further or more specific regulations may also be relevant
dependent on specific business areas or industries:
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
As a brief overview, the HASAWA 1974 requires that workplaces
provide:
• Adequate training of staff to ensure health and safety
procedures are understood and adhered to
The Health and Safety at Work Act Explained
The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 is the primary piece
of legislation governing workplace health and safety in Great
Britain. There are also main pieces of regulation which are
integral to managing health and safety at work. The
implementation of these regulations does not have to be a
daunting, time consuming or costly affair. Follow our guide to
workplace health and safety legislation in the UK for a summary
of the key policies and procedures and understand what you need
to do to keep your work environment healthy, safe and compliant.
What is the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974?
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, sometimes referred
to as HSW, HSWA, HASAW 1974 or HASAWA, is an Act of
Parliament that sets out the framework for managing workplace
health and safety in the UK.
The act defines the general duties of everyone from employers
(section 2) and employees (section 7,8) to owners, managers and
maintainers of work premises (etc) for maintaining health and
safety within most workplaces.
There is, however, further specific legislation for business sectors
that operate within a higher risk environment, such as the
construction industry, chemical manufacturing, etc.
The act itself is a primary piece of legislation set out by the
government. Other regulations which complement the HASAWA
1974 are known as statutory instruments (essentially secondary
, pieces of legislation that may also be referred to as delegated
legislation).
Statutory instruments serve to make small changes, updates or
additions to existing legislation without having to create an entirely
new Bill.
Who enforces Health and Safety Legislation?
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the governmental
appointed body that is responsible for enforcing workplace health
and safety legislation in the UK. However, when it comes to
enacting enforcement, this responsibility is generally divided
between the HSE and relevant local authorities.
What are the main workplace health and safety
regulations?
As previously mentioned, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
is the principal piece of legislation for occupational health and
safety in Great Britain, however, there are other regulations to
implement which are designed to keep your workplace compliant
and safe.
Below is a summary of the key points of health and safety
regulation that most workplaces will need to comply with, although
further or more specific regulations may also be relevant
dependent on specific business areas or industries:
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
As a brief overview, the HASAWA 1974 requires that workplaces
provide:
• Adequate training of staff to ensure health and safety
procedures are understood and adhered to
