A summary of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act of 1974 sets out the principles employers must follow to keep their workers safe. Fleshing out its framework, various sets of regulations specify how certain risks should be managed. This article summarises the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 key points and provides examples of some of the regulations that flow from it. 

Enforcement of the Health and Safety at Work Act: an overview

Employers, employees, and building owners are all required to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act and regulations relevant to their work. Employers, in particular, must show diligence in identifying and addressing workplace risks and keep detailed records. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) acts as a national regulator and is assisted by various local authorities.  

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974: key points

As we previously remarked, the Health and Safety at Work Act sets out the principles to be followed in safe workplaces. These include:

• Providing training to all employees so that they know which health and safety procedures are important in their work. This includes work methods that keep everyone in the workplace safe as well as how to protect themselves from occupational hazards. 

• Employers must provide a few basics known as “welfare provisions.” These include access to clean drinking water, fresh air, a safe place for rest breaks, and access to personal hygiene facilities. 

• People who manage working environments must prioritise employee safety and implement regular maintenance to ensure it remains safe. For example, plant and equipment inspections and maintenance should occur at suitable intervals, and reports from employees regarding a need for maintenance should be attended to. 

• Instruction, information, and supervision to help employees reduce risks must be provided before people begin work and during the course of their work. For instance, when employees must act as lone workers, communication and check-in systems take the place of in-person supervision and welfare monitoring. 

• In workplaces with more than five employees, management must formulate detailed health and safety policies, keep records, and consult with employees on workplace safety measures. 

Supporting regulations

Various regulations provide more detail on how employers should approach workplace safety. The most generally applicable of these is the Workplace (Health, Safety, Welfare) regulations of 1992. It contains information on factors like workplace ventilation, temperature control, traffic routes, and employee facilities but does not apply to construction, mining, or maritime workers. These workplaces are covered in other regulations. 

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (1999) are of interest in almost all workplaces since they outline the methods employers should implement to manage workplace health and safety. Among other requirements, they set out the requirements for risk assessments, explain the principles of prevention, and stipulate the types of information employees need.

RIDDOR, Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations, are also broadly applicable. They specify what employers’ reporting and record-keeping duties are when there are serious accidents at work. 

Since accidents can happen, the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations of 1981 is another example of regulations that apply to all workplaces. 

Beyond this, there is a long list of regulations that govern specific industries and activities. A short sampling of examples includes:

• Display Screen Equipment Regulations
• Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations
• Manual Handling Operations Regulations
• Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER)
• The Health and Safety (Signs and Signals) Regulations
• The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations
• The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR)
• Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER)
• Work at Height Regulations

Summing this all up, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 can be seen as the backbone of health and safety legislation, with multiple sets of regulations governing different types of workplace hazards. Although this may seem complex, your workplace risks will indicate which regulations you should implement. 

Risk assessments: a powerful tool in achieving compliance

In most business contexts, it is comparatively simple to notice and address workplace risks. However, some industries are much more complex and come with multiple serious risks. For example, in the construction industry, working at height, noise, vibration, electricity, moving objects, manual handling, and more are part of a typical day’s work. 

Since on-site activities change daily and each site has unique characteristics, managing health and safety at work in the construction industry is a challenge that requires trained, experienced personnel, close coordination, and excellent communication. 

Manufacturing industries, aviation businesses, businesses deploying maritime workers, security services, and healthcare organisations are further examples of complex environments. Implementing relevant regulations and keeping all their employees as safe as possible at work will require careful orchestration. 

How Radiocoms can help

Real-time communication and information sharing can help address many of the risks workers face. For example, healthcare workers who are threatened at work can activate body cameras and alert others to their need for support. Construction workers can use two-way radios to coordinate tasks so that they are conducted safely and according to procedure, and so on.

Contact Radiocoms today, we have helped multiple organisations to keep their workers safer through effective communication. From first responders to oil and gas workers, manufacturing 

concerns, transportation companies, and nuclear plant employees, our solutions are at work around the UK today. Stay safe, coordinated, and in control with Radiocoms. 

Read more about Workplace Safety.