UK Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSWA): Overview and Impact
Note: The Act was enacted in 1974 (not 1994).
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA) is the primary UK legislation governing occupational health and safety.
Key Employer Duties
- General duty of care (Section 2): Ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare of employees and others affected by work activities.
- Risk assessment (Section 3): Identify hazards, evaluate risks, implement controls.
- Information, instruction, training: Provide what is needed for safe work.
- Safe plant and systems of work: Maintenance, safe handling, PPE.
- Reporting (RIDDOR): Report fatalities, specified injuries, dangerous occurrences.
Enforcement
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) enforces via improvement/prohibition notices, prosecution. Penalties include unlimited fines and imprisonment.
Impact
Since 1974, UK workplace fatalities have fallen dramatically. The UK consistently ranks among the safest in Europe.
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