Two of the most important pieces of the health and safety legislation affecting educational establishments across the UK are the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations These set the standards that must be met to ensure the health and safety of all employees and others who may be affected by any work activity. Other regulations also exist to cover work activities that carry specific risks, for example lifting and carrying, computer work and electricity. The main requirement of this act is that employers must carry out risk assessments to eliminate or reduce risks. Employers with five or more employees need to record the significant findings of a risk assessment. A first aider must also be available should any hazards occur.

In addition, employers also need to: make arrangements for implementing the health and safety measures identified as necessary by risk assessments monitor and review those arrangements appoint people with sufficient knowledge, skills, experience and training to help them to implement these arrangements set up emergency procedures and provide information about them to employees provide clear information, supervision and training for employees and ensure that suitably competent people are appointed who are capable of carrying out the tasks entrusted to them work together with any other employer(s) operating from the same workplace, sharing information on the risks that other staff may be exposed to, e.g cleaning, catering or maintenance contractors

The Risk Assessments will be documented and revised if there is significant change in the risk. These Risk Assessments will be reviewed at least annually. Interpretation of Risks. Hazard: A situation likely to cause injury or damage to persons or property. Hazard Material: A material likely to cause injury or damage to persons or property. Risk: The probability that the hazard (hazardous material) will cause injury or damage to persons or property.

This act requires that suitable and sufficient assessments need to be made such as: The risks to the health and safety of all employees whilst they are at work; The risks to health and safety of all persons arising from company’s operations; The identification of the measures required to comply with the relevant statutory conditions.

Activity In what year was the act made? How many employees are required in the workplace in order to record the significant findings of a risk assessment? What is a hazard? What is a risk? What is important information that employees need to know in the workplace? What is the main requirement of this act to be taken place in order to reduce risks?

Five or more 3. Likely to cause harm or injury 4. The probability of harm or injury 5. Emergency procedures 6.Risk assessments Answers