Health and safety legislation forms the backbone of workplace safety in the United Kingdom. As employers and business owners navigate the complex landscape of regulations, understanding these legal requirements isn’t just about compliance—it’s about creating safer workplaces and protecting your most valuable asset: your people.
At AL23 Safety, we’ve helped countless organisations understand and implement effective health and safety practices. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about current health and safety legislation in the UK.
What Is Health and Safety Legislation?
Health and safety legislation encompasses the laws, regulations, and standards designed to ensure workplaces are safe environments for all employees. In the UK, this framework primarily stems from the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA), which remains the cornerstone of workplace safety law.
This foundational Act places general duties on employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare of their employees and others who might be affected by their business activities. It established the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as the national regulator for workplace health and safety.
Key UK Health and Safety Legislation You Must Know
1. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
This principal piece of health and safety legislation places general duties on:
- Employers to protect the health, safety, and welfare of employees and others
- Employees to take reasonable care of themselves and others
- Manufacturers and suppliers regarding the safety of articles and substances
2. Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
These regulations require employers to:
- Conduct suitable and sufficient risk assessments
- Implement effective arrangements for planning, organisation, control, monitoring, and review of protective measures
- Provide health surveillance where appropriate
- Appoint competent persons to assist with health and safety measures
- Establish emergency procedures
- Provide clear information and training to employees
3. Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
Covering basic workplace conditions, these regulations address:
- Maintenance of workplace facilities
- Ventilation, temperature, and lighting requirements
- Workstation design and arrangement
- Safety of floors and traffic routes
- Falls or falling objects
- Windows, doors, gates, and walls
- Sanitary conveniences and washing facilities
- Drinking water and rest facilities
4. Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992
With remote and hybrid work now common, these regulations have never been more relevant. They require:
- Assessment of workstations to reduce risks
- Planning of activities to ensure breaks from DSE work
- Provision of eye tests and special corrective equipment if needed
- Information and training for DSE users
5. Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
These regulations stipulate that PPE should be:
- Properly assessed before use
- Maintained and stored properly
- Provided with instructions on safe use
- Used correctly by employees
- Free of charge to workers
Recent Updates to Health and Safety Legislation
Health and safety legislation continues to evolve to address new workplace challenges. Recent updates have included:
- COVID-19 workplace safety guidelines: While specific regulations have eased, employers still have general duties under the HSWA to protect workers from biological hazards.
- Fire Safety Act 2021: Strengthened requirements for fire risk assessments in multi-occupancy residential buildings.
- Building Safety Act 2022: Introduced a new regulatory framework for high-risk buildings.
- Updated PPE regulations: Expanded to include limb (b) workers such as some contractors and self-employed people working for an organisation.
How AL23 Safety Can Help You Navigate Health and Safety Legislation
Understanding and implementing health and safety legislation can be challenging, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses without dedicated safety teams. That’s where our expertise comes in.
Our Comprehensive Health and Safety Services:
- Compliance Audits: Our thorough assessment identifies gaps in your health and safety practices against current legislation.
- Policy Development: We create tailored health and safety policies that reflect your specific business activities and risks.
- Risk Assessment: Our experienced consultants conduct detailed workplace risk assessments and provide practical control measures.
- Training Programmes: We deliver engaging training sessions to ensure your staff understand their responsibilities under health and safety legislation.
- Ongoing Support: Our retained services provide peace of mind with regular updates on legislative changes and continuous improvement of your safety management system.
The Consequences of Non-Compliance
Failing to comply with health and safety legislation can result in:
- Improvement and prohibition notices from HSE inspectors
- Substantial fines (with no upper limit for serious breaches)
- Criminal prosecution of companies and individuals
- Imprisonment for the most serious offences
- Reputational damage and loss of business
- Civil claims from injured employees or affected third parties
Taking the Next Step
Health and safety legislation exists to protect people, not to burden businesses with unnecessary paperwork. With the right approach and expert guidance, compliance becomes an opportunity to create a positive safety culture that benefits everyone.
At AL23 Safety, we’re passionate about helping organisations create safer workplaces through practical, proportionate approaches to health and safety management. Our consultants bring decades of experience across multiple sectors to provide solutions that work for your specific context.
Don’t wait for an incident or inspection to highlight gaps in your compliance. Contact AL23 Safety today for a no-obligation discussion about how we can support your health and safety journey.
Call us on 0161 399 2523 or email info@al23safety.com to arrange a consultation with one of our expert advisors.
Remember, good health and safety isn’t just about legislation—it’s about protecting your people, your reputation, and your business.
