One of the biggest challenges facing modern businesses today is making sure that they compliant with health and safety regulations.
Health and Safety at Work Act (1974)
The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 , also referred to as HASAW or HSW, 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
Register your new business
Decide whether you need to notify the Health and Safety Executive or
your local authority about your business and where necessary, do so.
Take out Employer's Liability Compulsory Insurance Employer's Liability Compulsory Insurance covers you against claims from employees who are injured or become ill as a result of their work.
Appoint a competent person
The law says you must appoint a competent person to help you meet your health and safety duties. This does not have to be an external consultant.
Write your health and safety policy
Your health and safety policy sets out the arrangements you have put in place for managing health and safety in your business. It is a unique document that says who does what, when and how.
Assess the risksDecide what could harm people and what precautions to take. This is your risk assessment. You must act on the findings of your risk assessment, by putting sensible controls in place to prevent accidents and ill health and making sure they are followed.
Provide basic welfare facilities
You must provide a safe and healthy environment for all your employees. This includes toilets, washing facilities and drinking water, and appropriate lighting and temperature.
Provide free health and safety training and supervision
Everyone who works for you, including self-employed people, needs to know how to work safely and without risks to health. So you need to...