Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is the main piece of legislation covering health and safety in the workplace. It outlines the responsibilities of both the employer and employee in ensuring there is a safe working environment.
| Employee responsibilities | Employer responsibilities |
| To take reasonable care of your own and others safety | Ensure health and safety training is undertaken by all staff |
| Not to interfere or misuse anything that has been provided for your health and safety such as safety equipment | Provide appropriate protective clothing and equipment |
| To cooperate with your employer by undergoing training, wearing protective clothing and by following health and safety policies | Make sure all facilities meet minimal health and safety requirement in regards to ventilation, temperature and noise |
| To report any illness or injury that will affect your ability to work | Have an up-to-date health and safety policy |
| Maintain a safe working environment by ensuring equipment is properly maintained and safe to use, that appropriate warning signs are displayed and that adequate first aid facilities are available |
| Employee responsibilities | To take reasonable care of your own and others safety |
|---|---|
| Employer responsibilities | Ensure health and safety training is undertaken by all staff |
| Employee responsibilities | Not to interfere or misuse anything that has been provided for your health and safety such as safety equipment |
|---|---|
| Employer responsibilities | Provide appropriate protective clothing and equipment |
| Employee responsibilities | To cooperate with your employer by undergoing training, wearing protective clothing and by following health and safety policies |
|---|---|
| Employer responsibilities | Make sure all facilities meet minimal health and safety requirement in regards to ventilation, temperature and noise |
| Employee responsibilities | To report any illness or injury that will affect your ability to work |
|---|---|
| Employer responsibilities | Have an up-to-date health and safety policy |
| Employee responsibilities | |
|---|---|
| Employer responsibilities | Maintain a safe working environment by ensuring equipment is properly maintained and safe to use, that appropriate warning signs are displayed and that adequate first aid facilities are available |
Impact of the Health and Safety at Work Act
Safety equipment 鈥 the organisation must provide employees with appropriate safety equipment which may increase costs.
Legal action 鈥 if the organisation does not comply with health and safety regulations, they may be subject to legal action from employees who have been injured. This may result in the organisation having to pay A sum of money paid to make up for suffering, injury or loss..
Business closure 鈥 a business that does not comply with health and safety regulations is at risk of being closed temporarily while the issue is fixed, or could be shut down permanently.