Introduction (594 words)

During the last year there have been a number of important developments in health and safety law, in particular on the control of hazardous ...

1. The structure of health and safety law (3046 words)

The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA), which came into force in 1975, aimed to ensure that virtually all workers in ...

2. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (1715 words)

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (Management Regulations) are important because they clarify how employers must comply with their duties ...

3. Safety reps and safety committees (3471 words)

The Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977 (SRSCR) give recognised trade unions the legal right to appoint workplace safety representatives. They set out ...

4. The workplace and the working environment (2827 words)

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 (Workplace Regulations) lay down minimum standards for the workplace, the working environment and welfare facilities. Standards ...

5. Hazardous substances (5001 words)

The law on hazardous substances changed substantially in 2002 with the introduction of five new pieces of legislation. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) ...

6. Equipment at work (2319 words)

The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 (DSE Regulations) lay down the minimum safety and health requirements for work with visual display ...

7. Physical hazards at work (2901 words)

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 apply wherever manual handling operations are carried out - that is physical lifting, carrying or moving any load. ...

8. Hours of work (2510 words)

The majority of workers are legally entitled to a maximum working week, paid holidays, breaks and rest periods as a result of the Working ...

9. Accidents and injuries at work (1704 words)

When accidents happen at work, the law requires the more serious ones to be reported. Safety reps also have important legal rights to investigate ...

10. Stress, bullying and violence (824 words)

Although there is no specific legislation aimed at controlling stress, bullying and violence at work, employers have legal duties under both statutory and common ...

Further information (444 words)

The LRD booklet series includes many health and safety topics: Hazardous substances at work - a safety rep's guide (2003), Tackling stress at work ...