Introduction
The provision of a safe working environment and the design of appropriate working
practices is the legal responsibility of the employer. Accidents occur when a lack of
Management control allows unsafe activities or conditions.
Employees and contractors need information, training and instruction to recognise
and report unsafe conditions and ensure they implement safe methods of work
designed in consultation with them.
The OAA and its members recognise that the health, safety and wellbeing of all
those involved in our industry is of the highest moral priority. The public must also
be protected from hazards created by our members.
UK regulation requires high standards of planning, improvement and monitoring to
ensure that hazards are managed effectively. Criminal prosecution and civil action
can result if compliance is not maintained.
The economic benefits of good safety management are considerable; the uninsured
costs of accidents include work interruption, investigation resources, replacement of
damaged equipment and temporary staff cover.
The principles of accident prevention must be integrated into a safety management
system which identifies hazards and systematically removes them or controls them
as far as reasonably practicable. Responsibilities must be assigned throughout the
organisation and proactive management ensures continuing improvement.
Overview of Requirements under Health & Safety Legislation
The information provided below seeks to outline the general requirements of each
piece of legislation.
Each Member company must make suitable arrangements to ensure
compliance with all Acts and Regulations in respect of health and safety.
The Health & Safety at Work Act, etc. 1974
This Act of Parliament places statutory obligations on specific roles and sets a clear,
general duty to achieve high standards. The Act also enables Regulations created
after it and provides the tools required to police and enforce them.
S.2 Employers must, as far as is reasonably practicable, safeguard the health,
safety and welfare of employees. In particular this extends to the provision and
maintenance of:
a. safe plant and safe systems of work
b. safe handling, storage, maintenance and transport of (work) articles and
substances
c. necessary information, instruction, training and supervision
d. a safe place of work, with safe access and egress
e. a safe working environment, with adequate welfare facilities.
S.3 The self-employed, other employees and the public must not be exposed to
danger or risks to health and safety from work activities.
S.6 This section refers to articles for use at work and requires producers, designers,
importers and hirers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that articles are
safe when being ‘used’ in the widest sense. They must be tested for safety in use,
or tests are to be arranged and done by a competent authority. Information about
the use for which an article was designed, including any necessary conditions of use
to ensure health and safety, must be supplied with the article. Anyone installing an
article for use at work must ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, that nothing about the way in which it is installed or erected makes it unsafe or a risk to health
when properly used.
S.7 Employees must take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of
others who may be affected by their acts or omissions. They must also co-operate
with their employer so far as is necessary to enable the employer to comply with his
duties under the Act.
