1. Health and Safety Law
Module 4

2. Health and Safety Law
Criminal
Civil

3. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
Employers
Employees
Designers and manufacturers
Self-employed
Occupiers of buildings in which persons work

4. Duties under the Act Employers must ensure the:
Health, safety and welfare of employees
Health, safety and welfare of others
Employers must:
Manage health and safety
Risk assess
Train to ensure competency
Provide a safe workplace
Provide safe methods of work
Provide a health and safety policy if 5 or more employees

5. Employees and self-employed
MUST take reasonable care of:
Themselves
Other people
MUST cooperate with the employer
Must NOT be reckless or interfere with equipment provided by the employer

6. Worker involvement and consultation
Everyone needs to take part in
health and safety decisions
This can be achieved by:
Information, instruction and training
Meetings
Safety committees
Participation in risk assessment
Regular hazard spotting

7. Enforcement of health and safety law
Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Environmental Health Department (local authority)

8. Enforcement powers & duties
Gain entry to premises at any reasonable time
Give instructions
Take samples, photographs and
seize dangerous equipment
Ask questions
Advise employers and safety representatives

9. Enforcement action Give verbal or written advice
Serve an improvement notice
Serve a prohibition notice
Commence a prosecution

10. Penalties for breaking health and safety law
Magistrates’ court
Maximum fine £20,000
Maximum 6 months in prison
Crown Court
Unlimited fine
Maximum 2 years
in prison