The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974

The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 is the primary piece of legislation covering occupational health and safety in the United Kingdom. The Health and Safety Executive is responsible for enforcing the Act and a number of other Acts and Statutory Instruments relevant to the working environment.

The management of health and safety at work regulations 1992

Two of the most important pieces of health and safety legislation affecting educational establishments across the UK are the Health and Safety at Work, etc Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. These set the standards that must be met to ensure the health and safety of all employees and others who may be affected by any work activity. Other regulations also exist to cover work activities that carry specific risks, for example lifting and carrying, computer work and electricity.

Work Place Regulations 1992

The Workplace Regulations 1992 and their associated Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) and guidance (Ref 1) clarify and consolidate existing law. For the first time they establish a consistent set of standards for most workplaces including schools, colleges and universities. They replace earlier legislation which applied only to factories or offices and introduce some new elements, including requirements relating to windows and rest facilities (in particular dealing with provisions for nonsmokers and pregnant and nursing mothers).

Control of substances hazardous to health 1994

These provide a framework to help protect people in the workplace against health risks from hazardous substances. The substances may be used directly in the work (e.g. cleaning chemicals, chemical reagents) or may arise from the work (e.g. dusts, fumes and waste products). For example if you were a fireman the chemicals would have to be stored safely.

Personal protective equipment 1992

The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 is set of regulations created under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 which came into force in Great Britain on 1 January 1993. The regulations place a duty on every employer to ensure that suitable personal protective equipment is provided to employees who may be exposed to a risk to their health or safety while at work. A few examples of personal protective equipment are, helmets, gloves, extinguishers, protective clothing e.g. jackets and trousers etc.

Fire precautions (amendment) 1999

In December 1999 the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations were amended. The amendment broadened the scope of the legislation to include businesses that had a fire certificate. The fire precautions are knowing where the fire extinguishers are within the building, and where the fire escapes are.

The health and safety display screen equipment 1992

Where an employee is a user, as defined (in essence an operator who habitually uses display screen equipment as a significant part of the normal work), the work station has to be assessed with regard to the health and safety of the user. The findings of the assessment should be used to reduce the risks identified. These different safety procautions will help dramatically for example posture, squinting, and being hunched over. This will make it a safe environment.

The effects these regulations have had on the public services

The personal protective equipment for example they say all police officers have to wear a protective armour vest, therefore this effects the public service because it is protecting them for getting stabbed or maybe even shot. Fire fighters are permitted to wear a helmet, this effects the public service because it is there to protect them from getting any head injuries from falling debris.