What are the main principles of the health and safety act 1974?

Answer 1

This Act was the most important development in industrial safety legislation for many years. It introduced a new approach to health and safety with emphasis on self-regulation and employee participation.

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 applies to all workplaces, whatever the type of business. Employers, the self-employed and everyone at work or anyone who is affected by work activities, are affected by the Act.

Prior to the 1974 Act, the approach to industrial safety had been based on legislation that had grown in a piecemeal fashion over the last 100 years. Acts of Parliament were passed and extended to deal with particular hazards and work activities as they arose. Despite the vast amount of legislation, millions of workers were not covered by law in the course of their employment and there was no statutory provision for the protection of the public.

This could not be allowed to continue. In 1970 the Government set up a committee, chaired by Lord Robens to review the situation. It considered what changes were needed in the scope and nature of the major Acts and Regulations.

The Robens report was published in June 1972.

The fundamental conclusion was 'There are severe practical limits on the extent to which progressively better standards of safety and health at work can be brought about through negative regulation by external agencies. We need a more effectively self-regulating system. This calls for the acceptance and exercise of appropriate responsibility at all levels within industry and commerce. It calls for better systems of safety organisation, for more management initiative and for more involvement of work people themselves'.

It was from this report by Lord Robens that the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974 came into being.

Basically, the Act requires employers to ensure 'so far as is reasonably practicable' the health, safety and welfare of their employees and other persons who may be affected by their work. This includes sub-contractors and the general public.

The term 'reasonably practicable' has been interpreted in law to mean that an employer is entitled to take into account the cost of any measure he may be considering, against the consequences of the risk involved.

The Act also covers the duties of employees at work. They must take reasonable care for the safety of themselves and of other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions. They should co-operate with their employers and others in carrying out their statutory obligations.

Answer 2

The Safety and Health at Work Act of 1974 was an act of the English Parliament that combined and extended several existing acts to establish a general requirement for safety and health in employment, along with the administrative means of inspecting, establishing minimum standards of practice, and enforcement.

Answer 3

The Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974 was an act of the English Parliament that combined and extended several existing acts to establish a general requirement for safety and health in employment, along with the administrative means of inspecting, establishing minimum standards of practice, and enforcement.

Answer 4

The Health and Safety at Work act of 1974 is an act that covers the health, safety, and welfare workplace regulations in Great Britain. This act greatly improved conditions for workers.

Answer 5

The Health and Safety Act 1974 is used in most of the United Kingdom because it is an Act of the English Parliament.

Answer 6

no