Health and Safety Regulations
In this report I am going to be discussing the health and safety regulations that people in the
college need to be aware of. In order to make sure that everything is being done according
to the law, legislations are put in place so everyone is aware of what should happen/should
be happening. Legislation is there to ensure that society runs properly and so everyone is
safe and protected.
In the past, health and safety in the workplace was very much the employer’s responsibility.
Now, employees have more rights and responsibilities and the health and safety legislation
is focused on employers and employees working together in partnership to ensure that
everyone is safe in the workplace. There are many responsibilities an employer had towards
his employees. For example, all the teachers and staff should follow the statutory duties of
employers and employees relating to health and safety, this is so the staff of college can
provide teachers training, maintenance and a safe place to work. The teachers should also
follow the health and safety as they have responsibility of the students and must take
reasonable care of everyone around them. The college must monitor and review all hazards
and dangers so the staff can make it a better place and so no one is harmed.
Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
This regulation protects employees at the workplace. This regulation is put in place to
reduce harm by requiring the assessment of all potential risks and the creation of action
plans for emergencies. The regulation puts a duty on the employers to assess all risks for all
of their workers. Employers must complete and review risk assessments at set times and
make modifications to safety standards if there are any significant changes in working
practices or equipment. The high management of the college must make sure they have all
the appropriate health and safety equipment available within the college. They must also
make sure the equipment is checked and replaced if needed; this includes fire exit signs, fire
alarms and fire extinguishers etc. They must ensure they have trained staff to deal with the
health and safety and that they understand it. The college must record all
incidents/accidents that occur and put safety measures in place. The college meet this law
by carrying out an assessment in college including all classrooms to assess the risks and how
they can be reduced/eliminated. Risk assessment should at least be done every 12 months
unless hazards are identified as dangerous.
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 imposes loads of duties on employers. Employers
must protect the health, safety and welfare at work of all their employees, as well as others
on their premises, including all visitors and general public. Employers must ensure that
explosive or highly flammable substances are stored, used and transported safely and
replace existing safety legislation to remain up to date. Employees have responsibility as
well, they must take care of themselves, other people, not put anyone including themselves
in danger and co operate with their employers with health and safety issues. In college, the
, visitors should be protected and all other students and staff in the building. The health and
safety should be taken into consideration by the public especially people that come into the
building that are new for example, visitors, new students etc as they are unaware of the
dangers even the less risks like the edges of the tables in the classroom. The college must
meet this law by having a logbook where all visors and general public have to sign and the
members of staff assist visitors.
Workplace Regulations 1992
In this Act all workplaces should make sure they follow the basic requirements which apply
to the building of all workplaces. The workplace should have the reasonable temperature,
lighting, room space, workstation, seating, cleanness, waste material and washing facilities
etc. The aim of the regulation is to make sure that the basic welfare needs of employees are
met. The staff of the college should make sure the temperature is reasonable so students
don't feel cold and that there is clean classrooms and seats as hygiene is very important. The
room that is provided in all buildings should be suited as to how many people will be in the
room as people should not feel cramped. There should be open space. The college must
meet this law by having radiators in every class and by providing stationary and clean tables
and chairs.
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995
This regulation puts duties on employers,self-employed and people in control of work
premises to report certain serious workplace accidents, occupational diseases and specified
dangerous occurrences which in other words are called ‘near misses’. The premises and
people in charge should keep records of:
work-related accidents which cause death
work-related accidents which cause certain serious injuries
diagnosed cases of certain industrial diseases
certain ‘dangerous occurrences’
This should be done as it is a legal requirement. The report informs the enforcing
Authorities about deaths, injuries, occupational diseases and dangerous occurrences, so
they can identify where and how risks arise, and whether they need to be investigated. Any
accidents/incidents that take place in the college, a member of staff should keep records of
them all as this is important for the safety of everyone and it is a legal requirement. If the
college does not record the accidents then that could impose danger on everyone else in
the college as one spot in the college could have serious danger and unless it is recorded, no
risk assessment can be carried out. The college must meet this law by keeping records of all
incidents and by investigating any dangerous occurrences.