Meet workplace health and safety requirements

UK health and safety law is built on the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA), supplemented by the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR) and numerous specific regulations. Understanding this framework is essential before addressing individual hazards.

Risk assessment is the cornerstone of health and safety management. You must identify hazards, evaluate risks, and implement control measures. If you have 5 or more employees, you must record your risk assessments in writing.

Fire safety is covered by separate legislation - the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in England and Wales. The 'responsible person' (usually the employer, owner or occupier) must conduct fire risk assessments and implement fire precautions. Fire safety failures can result in unlimited fines and up to 2 years' imprisonment.

The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require you to provide adequate first aid provision based on an assessment of your workplace needs. This includes trained first aiders, first aid equipment, and appointed persons when first aiders are absent.

The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 2022 require employers to provide PPE free of charge when risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means. PPE is always the 'last resort' - you must first try to eliminate or reduce risks through other control measures.

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 require you to avoid hazardous manual handling where possible, assess risks where avoidance isn't possible, and reduce the risk of injury. Manual handling injuries remain one of the most common causes of workplace injury.

The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 protect workers who regularly use computers, laptops, tablets and other display screens. You must assess workstations, provide training, and fund eye tests for DSE users.

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 protect workers from hearing damage caused by noise exposure. You must assess noise levels, take action at specific exposure levels, and provide hearing protection. Noise-induced hearing loss is irreversible.

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply to any work where someone could fall and injure themselves. Falls from height remain the largest cause of workplace fatalities. You must avoid work at height where possible, and where it cannot be avoided, prevent falls using the right equipment.

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require you to prevent danger from electrical systems in the workplace. This includes maintaining electrical systems, ensuring work is done by competent persons, and preventing live working except where absolutely necessary.

Good record keeping is essential for demonstrating compliance and protecting yourself in the event of claims or prosecutions. Different types of H&S records have different retention periods - some must be kept for 40 years.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local authorities enforce health and safety law. Inspectors can visit without notice, issue improvement or prohibition notices, and prosecute for serious breaches. Understanding enforcement helps you prepare for inspections and respond appropriately.

Staying compliant

Health and safety compliance is an ongoing responsibility. Regulations evolve, your workplace changes, and new hazards emerge. Build health and safety into your management systems, consult with employees, and review your arrangements regularly.