Updating author: Richard Bretton

On this page:
Summary
Future developments
Practical example
Action point checklist
Key references
Questions and answers
Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974
Health and Safety Executive
Department for Work and Pensions
Employment Medical Advisory Service
Local authorities
Inspectors
Trade associations
British Standards Institution

Summary

8.1

• The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 provides the main framework for health and safety law in the UK. (See 8.3 Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974)
• The Health and Safety Executive is the single national non-departmental regulatory body responsible for promoting the cause of better health and safety at work through health and safety legislation, research and the enforcement of health and safety legislation in higher-risk sectors. (See 8.4 Health and Safety Executive)
• Responsibility for the Health and Safety Executive lies with the Department for Work and Pensions. (See 8.5 Department for Work and Pensions)
• The Employment Medical Advisory Service can provide employers with expert advice on work-related medical matters. (See 8.6 Employment Medical Advisory Service)
• Local authority environmental health officers are responsible for the enforcement of health and safety legislation in most lower-risk sectors. (See 8.7 Local authorities)
• The Health and Safety Executive and local authorities are empowered to appoint suitably qualified persons as inspectors to enforce health and safety legislation. (See 8.8 Inspectors)
• Various trade associations have developed safety standards that, in some instances, have acquired a limited legal status. (See 8.9 Trade associations)
• The British Standards Institution is responsible for facilitating, drafting, publishing and marketing British Standards and other guidelines. (See 8.10 British Standards Institution)

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Future developments

8.2 In September 2009, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) issued Single equality scheme (PDF format, 575K) (on the HSE website). The consultation sets out the HSE's single equality scheme for 2010 to 2013, which states how the HSE proposes to meet its statutory duties to promote equality while advancing better health and safety at work in Great Britain.