UK Health and Safety at Work regulations

The UK Health and Safety at Work regulations aim to ensure the safety and well-being of employees and others affected by workplace activities. Here’s a detailed overview of these regulations:

1. Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSWA)

The HSWA is the primary legislation covering occupational health and safety in the UK. It outlines the general duties employers have towards employees and the public, as well as the duties employees have towards themselves and each other.

Key Duties of Employers:

• Provide a Safe Workplace: Ensure the health, safety, and welfare of employees at work.
• Risk Assessment: Conduct regular risk assessments to identify hazards and implement measures to control them.
• Safe Systems of Work: Establish and maintain safe systems of work.
• Training: Provide adequate training, information, and supervision to ensure employees’ safety.
• Welfare Facilities: Ensure provision of adequate welfare facilities, such as toilets, washing facilities, and drinking water.

2. Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR)

The MHSWR complements the HSWA by outlining more specific duties for employers to manage health and safety effectively.

Key Requirements:

• Risk Assessment: Carry out risk assessments and record the significant findings if you have five or more employees.
• Health and Safety Arrangements: Implement arrangements for effective planning, organization, control, monitoring, and review of preventive and protective measures.
• Health Surveillance: Where appropriate, ensure health surveillance of employees exposed to specific health risks.
• Competent Person: Appoint one or more competent persons to help meet health and safety obligations.
• Emergency Procedures: Establish procedures for dealing with serious and imminent danger, including evacuation plans.

3. Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992

These regulations aim to ensure that workplaces meet the health, safety, and welfare needs of all employees.

Key Areas Covered:

• Ventilation: Provide effective and suitable ventilation.
• Temperature: Maintain reasonable indoor temperatures.
• Lighting: Ensure adequate and suitable lighting.
• Cleanliness: Keep the workplace clean and in good condition.
• Space: Ensure sufficient space for safe movement.
• Workstations: Provide suitable and ergonomically designed workstations.

4. Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)

PUWER requires that equipment provided for use at work is safe and suitable for its intended purpose.

Key Requirements:

• Equipment Suitability: Ensure that equipment is suitable for its intended use.
• Maintenance: Maintain equipment in a safe condition.
• Inspection: Regularly inspect equipment and keep records.
• Training: Provide adequate training and information for users of the equipment.
• Safety Measures: Implement necessary safety measures, such as guards and emergency stop buttons.

5. Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (PPE)

These regulations require employers to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to employees where risks cannot be controlled by other means.

Key Requirements:

• Assessment: Assess the need for PPE and ensure it is suitable for the risk.
• Provision: Provide PPE free of charge to employees.
• Training: Train employees on the correct use of PPE.
• Maintenance: Ensure PPE is properly maintained and stored.

6. Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR)

RIDDOR requires employers to report certain workplace incidents, including injuries, diseases, and dangerous occurrences, to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Key Requirements:

• Reportable Incidents: Report deaths, major injuries, over-seven-day injuries, work-related diseases, and dangerous occurrences.
• Reporting Mechanism: Use the HSE’s online reporting system or the phone service for reporting fatal and major incidents.

7. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)

COSHH requires employers to control substances that are hazardous to health.

Key Requirements:

• Assessment: Assess the risks from hazardous substances.
• Control Measures: Implement measures to prevent or adequately control exposure.
• Health Surveillance: Conduct health surveillance where appropriate.
• Training and Information: Provide information and training on the risks and control measures.

8. Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992

These regulations require employers to avoid hazardous manual handling operations and assess those that cannot be avoided.

Key Requirements:

• Avoidance: Avoid the need for hazardous manual handling as far as reasonably practicable.
• Risk Assessment: Assess the risk of injury from any hazardous manual handling operations that cannot be avoided.
• Control Measures: Implement measures to reduce the risk of injury.

Resources and Tools

• Health and Safety Executive (HSE): HSE Website provides comprehensive guidance and resources.
• HSE Risk Assessment Tools: Risk Assessment Templates

Conclusion

Compliance with UK health and safety regulations requires ongoing effort and commitment from both employers and employees. Regularly review and update your health and safety policies, conduct training sessions, and ensure continuous monitoring and improvement to create a safe and healthy work environment.