Unit 4
Unit 4
Aim A:
Health and safety at work act, 1974
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSW Act) is a UK law that sets out the general
duties of employers and self-employed people to protect the health, safety and welfare of
their employees and others who may be affected by their work activities. The most recent
version of the HSW Act includes several amendments, including the addition of specific
provisions related to stress and mental health, and requirements for employers to conduct
risk assessments and to consult with employees on health and safety matters. The Act also
places a general duty on employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health,
safety and welfare at work of all their employees.
Health and Safety at Work ETC Act 1974 (no date) Health and Safety at Work etc Act
1974 – legislation explained. Available at:
https://www.hse.gov.uk/legislation/hswa.htm (Accessed: January 28, 2023).
Electricity at work regulations, 1992
Electricity at Work Regulations (EAWR) A regulation from the UK from 1989 outlines the
specifications for the secure handling, usage, and storage of electrical equipment in the
workplace. The EAWR's most recent revision was last revised in 1992, however its principal
objective has not changed. The EAWR mandates that companies offer employees with
information, teaching, training, and supervision in addition to keeping equipment in a safe
condition, safe work systems, and safe workplaces. The rules also stipulate that all electrical
apparatus must be kept in good working order to prevent hazards and that any flaws must
be fixed as soon as is practically possible. The EAWR also imposes a general obligation on
employers to protect all of their workers' health, safety, and welfare to the extent that is
practically possible.
Article written by...Lucy Trevelyan LLBLucy graduated in law from the University of
Greenwich et al. (2017) Electricity at work: Health and safety regulations, InBrief.co.uk.
Available at: https://www.inbrief.co.uk/employees/electricity-at-work/ (Accessed:
January 28, 2023).
Noise at work regulations, 2005
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (CNWR) is a UK law that sets out the
requirements for controlling noise in the workplace. The most recent version of the CNWR
was last updated in 2019. The regulations require employers to assess the risk to workers
from noise at their workplace and take action to reduce the noise to the lowest level
reasonably practicable, including the use of hearing protection if necessary. The regulations
also set out specific action values and limit values for noise exposure and require employers
to provide information and training to employees on the risks of noise and how to protect
themselves. The regulations also require employers to carry out health surveillance of
employees who are exposed to noise levels above certain thresholds and to provide hearing
protection where necessary.
,Unit 4
The control of noise at work regulations 2005 (no date) Legislation.gov.uk. Queen's
Printer of Acts of Parliament. Available at:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/1643/made (Accessed: January 28, 2023).
Manual handling operations regulations, 2002
The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (MHOR) is a UK law that sets out the
requirements for the safe handling of loads in the workplace. The most recent version of the
MHOR was last updated in 2002. The regulations require employers to avoid the need for
manual handling operations so far as is reasonably practicable, and where it is not possible
to avoid the need for manual handling, to assess the risks involved and take appropriate
action to reduce those risks. The regulations also require employers to provide information,
instruction and training to employees on the safe handling of loads, and to provide
adequate space and handling equipment to enable employees to handle loads safely. The
regulations also require employers to carry out a risk assessment of the manual handling
operations and to take steps to reduce the risk of injury to the lowest level reasonably
practical.
What is the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992?: Deltanet (2022) DeltaNet.
Available at: https://www.delta-net.com/knowledge-base/health-and-safety/manual-
handling/what-is-the-manual-handling-operations-regulati (Accessed: January 28,
2023).
Control of major accident hazards regulations, 2015
The Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Regulations 2015 is a UK law that sets out
the requirements for the control of major accident hazards involving dangerous substances.
The regulations apply to operators of establishments where dangerous substances are
present in sufficient quantities to pose a significant risk to the public and the environment in
the event of a major accident. The regulations require operators to carry out risk
assessments and to implement appropriate safety measures, including emergency planning
and response, to prevent or mitigate the effects of major accidents. The regulations also
require operators to report certain incidents and near-misses to the enforcing authorities
and to keep records of safety-related activities. The COMAH regulations are enforced by the
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) in
Scotland.
Comah notifications (no date) Control of major accident hazards - Notifications.
Available at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/comah/notification/index.htm#existing
(Accessed: January 28, 2023).
Health and safety (display screen equipment) regulations, 2002
The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 (DSE regulations) is a
UK law that sets out the requirements for the protection of the health and safety of
employees who use display screen equipment (DSE) as a significant part of their normal
work. The regulations have been updated in 2002 to include the provision of regular eye and
, Unit 4
eyesight tests for users, and the most recent version of the DSE regulations have been
consolidated into the Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002.
The DSE regulations require employers to carry out a risk assessment for DSE workstations
and to take appropriate action to reduce the risks identified. This includes providing suitable
workstations, equipment, and seating, and providing information, instruction, and training
to employees on how to use DSE safely. Employers also need to take steps to reduce the
risks of work-related upper limb disorders (WRULDs) and to provide regular breaks for
employees who use DSE for extended periods.
Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations (no date) Allianz UK.
Available at: https://www.allianz.co.uk/risk-management/support/legislation/display-
screen-equipment.html (Accessed: January 28, 2023).
Personal protective equipment at work regulations, 2002
The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (PPE Regulations) is a UK law
that sets out the requirements for the provision and use of personal protective equipment
(PPE) in the workplace. The regulations require employers to provide PPE to their
employees if the risks to their health and safety cannot be adequately controlled by other
means. The most recent version of the PPE regulations has been consolidated into the
Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002. The PPE regulations
require employers to carry out a risk assessment to determine the type and level of PPE
required, to provide PPE that is appropriate for the specific risks and tasks, to provide
information, instruction, and training to employees on how to use PPE safely, and to
maintain PPE in good condition. Employers are also responsible for ensuring that PPE is used
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (2021) Health and Safety Executive Northern
Ireland. Available at: https://www.hseni.gov.uk/articles/personal-protective-
equipment-ppe (Accessed: January 28, 2023).
Management of health and safety at work regulations, 2018
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR) is a UK law that
sets out the general principles for the management of health and safety in the workplace.
The regulations require employers to conduct risk assessments and to implement
appropriate measures to control identified risks, as well as to appoint competent persons to
assist with the management of health and safety. The regulations also require employers to
consult with employees on health and safety matters, to provide information, instruction,
and training to employees, and to keep records of significant findings from risk assessments
and any accident or dangerous occurrences. The most recent version of the MHSWR was
last updated in 2018, which includes the requirement for a management system to be
implemented to ensure ongoing compliance with the regulations. The regulations are
enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Local Authorities.
