Health and safety
Overview
What is health and safety all about?
Preventing people from being harmed by work or becoming ill by taking the right
precautions - and providing a satisfactory working environment. Health and Safety
rules require all of us not to put ourselves or others in danger. The law is also
there to protect the public from workplace dangers.
Do health and safety laws apply to me?
Yes. All businesses, however small; even sole traders need to comply.
Who enforces health and safety law?
Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or your local authority. For
example:
- HSE at factories, farms and building sites;
- Local authorities in offices, shops, hotels and catering, and leisure activities.
Do I need to register my business?
It’s likely you will if you employ anyone.
Do I need to have employers’ liability insurance?
It’s the law if you employ anyone and you should display the certificate.
Do I need to display any posters?
Yes, the health and safety law poster if you employ anyone.
Do I have to report injuries at work?
Yes, and other incidents.
Employers duties
- All employers and self-employed people have to assess risks at work
- Employers with five or more employees should have a written health and safety policy
- Employers with five or more employees have to record the significant findings of
their risk assessment
- Employers have a duty to involve their employees or their employees' safety representatives
on health and safety matters
- Employers have to provide free health and safety training or protective equipment
for employees where it is needed
What law applies?
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (risk assessment)
- Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996
- Safety Representatives and Safety Commit
Documents
Read More
Introduction
Health and safety policy
Workplace regulations
Fire risk assessment
Accidents
Hazardous substances
Stress
Gas and electricity
Noise
Computers
Working at height
Manual handling
Vulnerable employees
Vibration
Smoking
Workplace transport