General health and safety duties

Updating author: Howard Fidderman

XpertHR editor: Laura Merrylees

Summary

• The potential consequences of health and safety breaches go beyond legal costs. (See Non-legal and commercial consequences of health and safety breaches)
• A fundamental principle underpinning health and safety law is that risk creators are the main duty holders in law. (See Duty holders)
• Employers should assume that they are covered by health and safety law. (See Employers covered by health and safety legislation)
• Every employer must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of its employees. (See Employers' duties to employees)
• Employers also have a duty of care with regard to the health and safety of non-employees. (See Employers' duties to non-employees)
• Occupiers of premises have a duty of care to visitors and trespassers. (See Occupiers' duties to visitors and trespassers)
• Employees must take care for themselves and others. (See Employees' duties)