Health and safety guide: legislation, regulations and rules

What are the main UK health and safety regulations?

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 sets out the rules and regulations employers in England, Scotland and Wales should follow to keep you safe while you're at work. This covers a wide range of responsibilities that employers must take on. 

The Health and Safety at Work Act requires workplaces to keep their employees safe by:

• Assessing and dealing with any risks to safety
• Putting policies and procedures in place
• Providing relevant information and training

As well as the 1974 act itself, subsequent regulations have expanded on the employers' duties. These include:

• Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992. These aim to ensure that workplaces meet the health, safety and welfare needs of the workforce, including people with disabilities.
  
• Display Screen Equipment Regulations (DSE) 1992 (amended 2002). These regulations apply to workers who use a display such as a PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone at work for an hour or more at a time.
  
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPS) Regulations 2018. These regulations cover the use, maintenance and storage of PPE.
  
• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. These clarify employers' obligations, including for carrying out risk assessments.

The Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (NI) 2000 impose similar duties on employers in Northern Ireland.  

What are an employer's responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974? 

Employers have the most responsibilities under the health and safety regulations. They have a legal obligation to keep their employees safe from harm. This means assessing and controlling risks to injury or health in the workplace.

But the workplace health and safety regulations aren't just to keep employees safe. Employers also have a duty of care to everyone who might be affected by their business. This includes contractors, temporary workers, customers and all visitors to the workspace.

Here are the main health and safety areas where your employer has responsibilities:

• Risk assessments. A ‘suitable and sufficient' risk assessment should address all foreseeable health and safety risks that might cause harm in the workplace. The depth of risk assessments changes depending on the workplace. A small business with few or simple risks doesn't need to go into as much depth as a large or ‘high-hazard' business or site.  
• Safety equipment. You should have suitable PPE (personal protective equipment) such as safety goggles and protective clothing where your job requires it. Your employer shouldn't charge you for this equipment. You should also have access to a first aid kit.
• Premises and equipment maintenance. Your employer must make sure the place you work is safe and that equipment is in good condition. Any machinery you use must be well-maintained and safe to use.
• Information about procedures. If your workplace employs five or more people, they should provide you with written health and safety procedures. Your employer should also prominently display the HSE-approved poster or provide each employee with the approved health and safety leaflet.
• Health and safety training. Training should ensure that people have the ‘skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their duties correctly'. For example, if you use potentially dangerous machinery as part of your job, you should know how to use it safely. Training is especially important for new employees, or anyone exposed to a new or increased risk. 
• Supervision. The role of supervisors and managers is important in ensuring workplace health and safety. They should make sure employees know how to work safely, and that they follow the organisation's health and safety rules. 
• Consultation. Workplaces with five or more employees must consult with employees or their representatives (such as trade union reps) on relevant health and safety policy matters.

If you believe that an employer's failure to meet their responsibilities led to your accident, call us today for free, impartial advice on  or fill in our call back form. We'll be happy to answer your questions and help you understand whether you could make a claim.

Who is liable if an accident happens?

Employers have a legal duty to keep people safe and will usually be liable if they don't meet their obligations. But that doesn't mean they are the only ones with responsibility for health and safety. Members of staff also have a duty to take care of their own health and safety - and of others affected by their actions at work.

As an employee, you must cooperate with your employer and colleagues in following health and safety policies and procedures. Everyone in a workplace - bosses, managers and workers - should work together to ensure a safe environment. This HSE guide for workers provides more information.

If you have an accident because of a colleague's negligence, you may be able to make a claim. This is known as ‘vicarious liability'; a situation where the employer is answerable for their employees' actions. 

Have you had an accident at work and are unsure about who was responsible? You can get in touch with us on  for free advice, or fill in our call back form and we'll call you back.

Who is responsible for enforcing workplace health and safety?

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) enforces the Health and Safety at Work Act in England, Scotland and Wales. The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) carries out an equivalent role in Northern Ireland. 

These independent regulators have legal powers to:

• Visit and inspect workplaces.
• Check on health and safety policy.
• Assess whether serious risks are being properly managed. 
• Carry out investigations when things go wrong.
• Issue permission and licenses for activity in the most hazardous industries.

The HSE and HSENI also help to review and shape health and safety legislation and regulations to ensure they remain fair. Perhaps most importantly of all, they provide free information, guidance and advice to employers. This helps employers to understand the risks to their employees and comply with the law.

The 380+ local authorities across the UK also play their part in enforcement. In fact, they are the main enforcing bodies for businesses including offices, shops, warehouses, hotels, restaurants, and leisure and entertainment facilities.

Have you been in an accident at work?

If you have been in an accident in your workplace, we may be able to help you make a claim for compensation to put things right. Below are some common types of work injuries we can help you with. Don't worry if your experience isn't listed here. It's likely we can still help you and we recommend calling us on  so we can discuss your injury and whether you have a case for compensation.

• Factory accidents
• Industrial accidents
• Construction accidents
• Office accidents
• Dangerous machinery accidents
• Agricultural accidents

What if I have an accident at a business or in a public place?

The Health and Safety at Work Act covers an employer's responsibility to ensure the safety of any non-employees that their activity might affect. This includes members of the public and other visitors.

Owners of businesses such as shops, supermarkets, bars and restaurants must take steps to keep you from getting injured. If a business or company has not followed health and safety rules, then this can cause accidents which can lead to painful injuries.

Businesses need to keep corridors and walkways clear of obstacles to avoid slips, trips and falls. They should also clean up spillages as quickly as possible and place warning signs for slippery surfaces. Changes in floor level without a warning sign, or poor lighting conditions, can also cause injury.