The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA) is the cornerstone of UK occupational health and safety law. It imposes broad, goal-setting duties on employers to protect employees and anyone affected by their work activities.
Core Employer Duties (Sections 2–3)
- Assess risks and eliminate or control them (risk assessment).
- Provide and maintain safe plant, equipment, and systems of work.
- Ensure safe handling, storage, and transport of articles and substances.
- Provide adequate information, instruction, training, and supervision.
- Maintain a safe workplace with safe access/egress and welfare facilities.
- Report certain injuries, diseases, and dangerous occurrences (RIDDOR).
Enforcement
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) enforces HSWA through inspections, investigations, enforcement notices (improvement/prohibition), and prosecution. Penalties include unlimited fines and imprisonment for serious breaches.
Key Supporting Regulations
- COSHH 2002 – Control of Substances Hazardous to Health.
- MHOR 1992 – Manual Handling Operations Regulations.
- WHSWR 1992 – Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations.
- PPE at Work Regulations 1992 – Personal Protective Equipment.
- DSEAR 2002 – Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres.
Compliance is not optional; it is a legal and moral imperative for every UK employer.
