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Health & Safety at Work Act 1974

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 refers to the UK legislation framework that covers the responsibilities that employers have to their employees and any other people on the premises e.g. visitors or members of the public.

For those wondering what the Health and Safety Act 1974 means for their business, it covers a wide range of  issues relating to the health, safety and welfare of people at work, and can relate to everything from workplace stress, to how people can work safely with computers, or how hazardous materials should be managed. The specifics of how the legislation relates to your business will depend on what your company does. The law is enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local councils, who can investigate and enforce the law if breaches are suspected, as well as penalising businesses for failing to meet their legal responsibilities.

 

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When was the health and safety at work act introduced?

The main health and safety legal framework was introduced in 1974, but various amendments and additions have been made since. Some of these changes apply to specific industries only e.g. the construction industry, which is a high-risk sector that has additional legislation in place to help manage health and safety. 

If you have any questions or concerns about what your legal responsibilities are for health and safety in the workplace for your specific business, we can offer specialist advice and support. Call us on 0161 696 6250 for more information on how we can help.

Why might your business need legal support with health and safety compliance?

There are a variety of reasons why a business might benefit from specialist support with regard to their legal health and safety responsibilities. These may include:

  • Assistance with putting in place a comprehensive and legally compliant health and safety policy
  • Legal advice in the event of an incident or accident at work
  • Legal support in the event of a HSE or local authority investigation for potential health and safety law breaches
  • Expert advice and legal services in response to enforcement action by HSE or your local authority

We have many years of experience in regulatory law for businesses and specifically in health and safety at work legislation. We’re ideally placed to offer expert advice and support when needed, to help you ensure that your business is compliant with the current regulation and follows best practice guidelines that are specific to your types of activity. Call us on 0161 696 6250 to find out more.

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