Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSW)
The HSW Act was brought into force to enhance the Factories Act 1961 and so place an obligation upon all employers to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of their employees whilst at work and any other persons affected by their business activities.

Section 2(3) of the Act also requires that employers of 5 or more employees maintain in writing a safety policy. This policy statement must include details of the organisation and arrangements for implementing the policy.

The HSW Act is the enabling Act, it is the LAW and enables other regulations to be made under it. There is a minefield of health and safety legislation, which is changing all the time. Below is a list of the current legislation, which will probably affect the majority of organisations, from which HaSARD has been adapted:

  • The Management Of Health And Safety At Work Regulations 1999
  • Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
  • Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992(Amended 1998)
  • Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992
  • Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1992 (Amended 1998 to include mobile work equipment)
  • Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
  • Health & Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 (ACOP revised 1997)
  • Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999
  • Reporting of Injuries, Diseases & Dangerous Occurrence Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR)
  • Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997(Amended December 1999)
  • The Noise at Work Regulations 1989
  • Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998

Section Index