Legislative Framework Essay

| HSE is the national independent watchdog for work-related health, safety and illness. They are an independent regulator and act in the public interest to reduce work related death and serious injury across Great Britain’s workplaces. They provide information on all industries and the topics that they may need to cover.

What are your responsibilities under current health and safety legislation, standards and guidance, eg the Health & Safety at Work Act (and any other relevant legislation).

1.1 - Explain the legislative framework for health, safety and risk management in the work setting. The Health and safety at Work etc. Act 1974 is the major piece of the health and safety legislation in Great Britain. It provides the legal framework to promote, stimulate and encourage high standards.

2.1. There are many legislations relating to general health and safety in a health and social care work setting:

Section 2 of the HSW Act deals with employersʹ duties, and states: ʺIt shall be the duty of all employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health safety and welfare of all their employees whilst they are at work.ʺ

The Health and Safety Executive, with local authorities (and other enforcing authorities) is responsible for enforcing the Act and a number of other Acts and Statutory Instruments relevant to the working environment.

The health and safety at work act promotes good safety of individuals in a health and social

Legislations/codes of practice relating to general health and safety in a health or social care work setting are: The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974; Riddor 1995, COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health); Manual Handling operations regulations 1992; Health And Safety (First aid regulations 1981); Fire protection (Workplace) Regulations 1997; Food Safety Act 1990; Personal Protective Equipment and Management of Health and safety at work regulations 1999.

Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations – this is to ensure that the conditions of the workplace are safe to work in. For example, cleanliness. The workplace must be kept clean with no waste. (Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations).

Health and Safety at work act is a legislation that was introduced in 1974.This legislation was made to ensure the safety and welfare for employers (visitors,service users,volunteers,care workers,clients and the general public).

Understand how health and safety legislation is implemented in the health and social care workplace

The role of the Health and Safety Executive is to make sure that the health and safety of their staff and others who might be affected by their work activities. For example, providing management and observing the statutory framework of all organisations, whether they are industrial, occupational or educational based. This would include all schools to have complied with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Employers, employees and the self-employed have a duty to protect, so far as is reasonably practicable, those at work who may be affected by work activity.

Health and Safety Regulations aim to improve safety in workplaces, making employers and employees equally responsible for ensuring that they protect themselves and others from accident and injury. The regulations refer to such things as clean kitchens, safety guards on machinery etc., If an employee is injured at work because of breaches of these rules then compensation can be awarded. Most health and safety legislation places place the responsibility of health and safety on the employers. The responsibilities may however be delegated to other competent persons such as fire warders, first aiders and care takers but the employer still

* Health and safety legislation: these laws are aimed at ensuring the workplace is as safe as is reasonably practical. They cover issues such as training, reporting accidents and the appropriate provision of safety equipment