The Health and Safety at Work Act became law in 1974 and applies to most workplaces in England, Scotland and Wales. The Act does not apply to Northern Ireland but a similar process is in place. The Act was set in place to remove the anomalies of previous legislation governing workplaces and takes the line that everyone is involved in health and safety and welfare to a greater or lesser extent and should share the responsibilities and liabilities.
The Act lays down broad organisational requirements on employers and the self -employed especially and insists upon forward planning and risk assessments approach before accidents happen in the workplace.
The Act was followed and reinforced by the issuing of various books of Regulations, created to give direction upon different aspects of health and safety within a specific workplace and regularly updated. eg. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, which came into effect in January 1993 and were replaced in 1999 in order to implement certain EU directives.
The duties of the Act are supported by a range of criminal sanctions, largely enforced by the Health and Safety Executive, various notices and ultimately, the Magistrates Court or less often, the Crown Court.
In providing a service to our Clients, Harold Blackburn and Associates gives informed advice upon and will assist in, the implementation of health and safety in the workplace. Our services will ensure that the Client has opportunity to comply with all current applicable legislation, so avoiding the risk of penalties for non- compliance.