Health and Safety

What is Health and Safety?

Health and safety involves employers and employees proactively, working safely together.

The law imposes a statutory duty and a common law duty of care on employers. During work they must ensure the health and safety and welfare of employees at work as well as the health and safety of any contractors, visitors and members of the public who might be at one of their workplaces.

To date, criminal fines and civil claims are becoming more expensive for businesses and an accident in the workplace can result in both. Companies that fail to protect people’s health and safety can also suffer negative publicity which in turn leads to loss of client faith and less business opportunities.

Who needs Health and Safety training?

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, employers should provide the appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision to their employees to ensure that they work safely. Also under the Act, employees have a legal duty to work safely so as not to jeopardise the health and safety of themselves or other persons who might be affected by their work.

Employers need to implement effective training to ensure their work force is competent in Health and Safety issues, to ensure compliance with the law.

What's new in Health and Safety?

The latest Health and Safety issues and legal requirements can be found at the following websites:

• www.hse.gov.uk/press/press.htm
• www.hse.gov.uk/a-z/index.htm

Interested? What to do next...

Get in touch via our online enquiry form, email acquire@deeside.ac.uk or phone 01244 834545.