What The Law Requires
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, you have to ensure the health and safety of yourself and others who may be affected by what you do, or fail to do.
This includes people who work for you, including casual workers, part-timers, trainees and sub-contractors; use workplaces you provide; are allowed to use your equipment; visit your premises; may be affected by your work, e.g. your neighbours or the public; use products you make, supply or import; or use your professional services, e.g. if you are a designer.
The Act applies to all work activities and premises and everyone at work has responsibilities under it, including the self-employed.
You Must:
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have a written, up to date health and safety policy if you employ five or more people, which must be audited at twelve monthly intervals, or as and when legislation dictates. The contents of the policy must be made known to all employees. |
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carry out risk assessments, and if you employ five or more people, record the main findings together with your arrangements for managing those risks. |
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notify occupation of your premises to your local inspector if you are a commercial or industrial business. |
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notify the Fire Authority if you require a fire certificate. |
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display a current certificate as required by the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 if you employ anyone. |
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display the Health and Safety Law poster for employees or give out the leaflet. |
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notify certain types of injuries, occupational diseases and dangerous occurences under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995. |
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consult employees on certain issues, such as changes which might affect health and safety and any information and training which has to be provided. |
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not employ children under school leaving age, apart from those on authorised work experience schemes, if you are an industrial undertaking. |