Legislation

Legislations

·         Health and safety act of 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.

·         The management of the health and safety regulations at work in 1992: The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSW) consolidate previous regulations of the same name, together with previous regulations concerning new and expectant mothers at work, and previous regulations concerning young persons. However, there is very little change in substance which will affect departments/institutions/units.

·         Work place regulations 1992: Encompassing the regulatory requirements – applicable to most workplaces – on specific subjects like ventilation, temperature, lighting, cleanliness, room dimensions, workstations and seating, floor conditions, falls or falling objects, transparent and translucent doors, gates and walls, windows, skylights and ventilators, traffic routes, escalators, sanitary conveniences, washing facilities and other matters. Including the Regulations in full, the Approved Code and supplementary guidance.

·         Control of substances hazardous to health 1994: Every year exposure to hazardous substances at work effects the health of many thousands of people. Common examples include lung disease (e.g. dusty conditions), skin irritation, dermatitis or skin cancer (e.g. frequent contact with oils, contact with corrosive liquids), occupational asthma (e.g. sensitisation to isocyanates in paints or adhesives), toxic fumes, occupational cancer etc. The high costs of ill-health arise from loss of earnings, loss of productivity, prosecution and civil action amongst others.

·         Personal protective equipment 1992: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is defined in the regulations as "all equipment (including clothing affording protection against the weather) which is intended to be worn or held by a person at work which protects them against one or more risks to their health and safety". PPE would include such things as hard hats, eye protection, safety harnesses, life jackets and safety footwear.

·         Fire precautions (amendment) 1999: amended in 1999, UK businesses had to carry out a fire risk assessment that looked at preventing fire in the first place and controlling and escaping fire safely.  This was confusing to businesses as they attempted to become compliant with this raft of legislation.

·         The health and safety display screen equipment 1992: Display Screen Equipment (DSE) is a device or equipment that has an alphanumeric or graphic display screen, regardless of the display process involved; it includes both conventional display screens and those used in emerging technologies such as laptops, touch-screens and other similar devices.

·         The effects these regulations have had on the public services: this makes every working environment safe to work in and have the right equipment to be abled to get the job done in a safe manner.