Health and safety law: overview

Role of the HSE

Health and safety law is administered by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), a statutory body whose functions are to:

Inspect organisations and enforce compliance with legal requirements regarding health and safety;
Provide advice on health and safety matters to the employers.

HSE publishes numerous information booklets, which are available free from its website. Numerous updates are issued by the HSE and it is good practice to consult the HSE's website regularly in relation to workplace health and safety issues.

The main legislation

The Health and Safety Executive provides a summary of the Acts and regulations that involve employers, including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

At the very least, voluntary organisations should comply with regulations on:

Enforcing systems and practices
First aid
Manual work
Fire safety
Use of computers and other office equipment
Working Time Directive and associated regulations
Directors' responsibilities
Appointment of union or staff safety representatives and committees
Reporting of injuries and accidents

There is also a common law duty on employers to take such steps as are reasonably necessary to ensure the safety of their employees. Such steps relate to providing a safe place of work, safe means of access, a safe system of work, safe equipment and materials, competent fellow workers and protection from risk of injury.

The Institute of Directors and the Health and Safety Commission have produced guidance on leading health and safety: Leading health and safety at work (PDF).

Personal liability

Senior staff will be personally liable if an offence occurs under relevant health and safety legislation with their consent, involvement, or due to their neglect.