Introduction (510 words)

There have been a number of developments in health and safety law since the last edition of this booklet was published in February 2001. ...

1. The structure of health and safety law (2863 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 (1515 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 (2812 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 (2290 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 (3797 words)

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 1999 control the risks from hazardous substances, including chemicals, large quantities of dust and biological ...

6. Equipment at work (1758 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 (2316 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 (2267 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 (1471 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 ...

Further help and information (226 words)

LRD provides an enquiry service for affiliates, and health and safety news and information in the monthly publications Labour Research, Bargaining Report and Safety ...