Health & Safety at Work Act 1974: Quick Reference Cheat Sheet for Employers and Managers

What Is the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974?

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA) is the primary piece of UK legislation governing workplace health, safety, and welfare. It places a duty on employers, employees, and self-employed persons to ensure that workplaces are safe and free from risks to health.

Enforced by: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local authorities.

Applies to: All workplaces in Great Britain, including offices, construction sites, factories, shops, and remote workers.

Key principle: Risks must be reduced so far as is reasonably practicable (SFAIRP).

Core Employer Duties (Section 2)

Employers must, so far as is reasonably practicable:

• Provide and maintain safe plant, equipment, and systems of work.

• Ensure safe handling, storage, and transport of articles and substances.

• Provide adequate information, instruction, training, and supervision.

• Maintain a safe workplace, including safe access and egress.

• Provide a safe and healthy working environment with adequate welfare facilities.

• Prepare and keep up to date a written Health & Safety Policy (required if 5 or more employees).

• Consult with safety representatives or employee representatives on health and safety matters.

Employee Duties (Section 7 and 8)

All employees must:

• Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others affected by their actions.

• Cooperate with the employer on health and safety matters.

• Not intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided for health and safety.

Key Supporting Regulations

 The HSWA is supported by several key sets of regulations. These are the ones most relevant to the majority of workplaces:

Regulation	What It Requires
Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999	Risk assessments, health and safety arrangements, competent persons, and emergency procedures.
Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992	Temperature, lighting, ventilation, cleanliness, toilet and washing facilities, rest areas.
Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992	Avoid manual handling where possible; assess and reduce risk where it cannot be avoided.
Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992	Risk assessments for DSE users, provision of eye tests, and appropriate breaks.
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) 2002	Assess and control exposure to hazardous substances.
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR)	Report specified workplace injuries, occupational diseases, and dangerous occurrences to the HSE.
Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992	Provide suitable PPE free of charge where risks cannot be controlled by other means.
Fire Safety Order 2005 (RRO)	Carry out a fire risk assessment and put in place appropriate fire safety measures.

Risk Assessment in 5 Steps

All employers must carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments. Employers with 5 or more employees must record the significant findings.

Step	Action
1. Identify the hazards	What could cause harm? Think about activities, equipment, chemicals, layout, and people.
2. Decide who might be harmed and how	Consider employees, contractors, visitors, and vulnerable groups (e.g. pregnant workers, young people).
3. Evaluate the risks and decide on controls	For each hazard, assess the likelihood and severity. Apply controls using the hierarchy of control.
4. Record your findings	Document significant findings if you have 5 or more employees. Keep records accessible.
5. Review and update	Risk assessments must be reviewed regularly and whenever there is a significant change.

Hierarchy of Risk Control

Priority	Control Measure
1 (Most effective)	Elimination: Remove the hazard entirely.
2	Substitution: Replace with something less hazardous.
3	Engineering controls: Guards, ventilation, machine enclosures.
4	Administrative controls: Safe systems of work, training, signage, job rotation.
5 (Least effective)	PPE: Last resort. Use when other controls are not sufficient.

Reporting Duties Under RIDDOR 2013

You must report to the HSE:

• Deaths and specified injuries to workers (e.g. fractures, amputations, loss of consciousness).

• Over-7-day incapacitation injuries (report within 15 days).

• Injuries to non-workers (e.g. members of the public) where they are taken to hospital.

• Occupational diseases (e.g. carpal tunnel syndrome, occupational dermatitis, vibration white finger).

• Dangerous occurrences (near misses with significant injury potential).

• Report online at hse.gov.uk or by telephone on 0345 300 9923.

Health and Safety Policy (Required for 5+ Employees)

A written Health and Safety Policy must include three sections:

Section	Contents
Statement of Intent	Your commitment to health and safety, signed and dated by the most senior person.
Organisation	Who is responsible for health and safety at each level in the business.
Arrangements	The specific procedures, rules, and systems you have in place to manage health and safety.

Review and update the policy whenever there are significant changes to your business, processes, or workforce.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Potential Consequences of Non-Compliance

Unlimited fines for breaches of health and safety law (Crown Court).

Up to 2 years imprisonment for certain offences.

Improvement Notices requiring corrective action within a specified timeframe.

Prohibition Notices stopping work activity until risks are controlled.

Prosecution of individuals, including directors and managers, not just the company.

Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 applies where gross negligence causes death.

Employer Compliance Checklist

Use this checklist to carry out a quick review of your current health and safety arrangements:

Done?	Action
[ ]	Written Health and Safety Policy is in place and up to date (if 5+ employees).
[ ]	Risk assessments have been carried out and significant findings recorded.
[ ]	Risk assessments are reviewed regularly and after any significant change.
[ ]	Employees have received appropriate health and safety training for their roles.
[ ]	A competent person has been appointed to assist with health and safety (can be an employee or external).
[ ]	Emergency procedures are in place (fire evacuation, first aid, spillage response).
[ ]	Adequate first aid provision is available (first aiders, first aid kits, accident book).
[ ]	The HSE poster 'Health and Safety Law: What You Need to Know' is displayed, or leaflets issued to all staff.
[ ]	Workplace equipment is regularly inspected and maintained.
[ ]	RIDDOR reporting procedures are understood and in place.
[ ]	COSHH assessments completed for all hazardous substances used.
[ ]	PPE is provided free of charge where required, and its use is enforced.
[ ]	DSE assessments completed for all screen-based workers.
[ ]	Safety representatives or employee representatives are consulted on health and safety matters.
[ ]	Accidents and incidents are recorded in an accident book.

Useful Contacts and Resources

Resource	Details
Health and Safety Executive (HSE)	hse.gov.uk | Infoline: 0300 003 1647
RIDDOR Online Reporting	hse.gov.uk/riddor | Tel: 0345 300 9923
HSE H&S Law Poster	Must be displayed in all workplaces. Available from hse.gov.uk
Acas (employment relations)	acas.org.uk | Helpline: 0300 123 1100
IOSH (professional body)	iosh.com (for training and qualifications)
NEBOSH (qualifications)	nebosh.org.uk (nationally recognised H&S qualifications)

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Disclaimer

The information in this document is intended for general guidance only and does not constitute professional legal, financial, or regulatory advice. Health and safety law is subject to change and may vary depending on your specific industry, workplace, and circumstances. Always consult a qualified health and safety professional or legal adviser for advice specific to your organisation.