Health and Safety Legislation    

Legislation or laws are made so that everyone in society knows which behaviours are acceptable and which are not. Laws cover all aspects of our lives including protecting the health and safety of people at work and those affected by work activities including those who receive care and support.

Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 – This law sets out that employers, employees and the self employed must work in a safe way, giving every person on the work premises legal duties and responsibilities. As this act is very general, subject specific ‘regulations’ have been put in place to help every workplace to be safe. www.hse.gov.uk/legislation/hswa.htm

Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 – This law is often referred to as ‘RIDDOR’. You will have to undertake accident and incident reporting as part of your work in any health or social care workplace.   The most serious accidents and incidents are reportable to health and safety authorities. www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 – These regulations are about how health and safety is managed within a care workplace, including risk assessment, training and ensuring employees receive the information they need. www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/3242/contents/made

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 – Sets out how every workplace must prevent/protect against fire. www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/1541/contents/made

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002 – These regulations are designed to protect people from hazardous substances, i.e. if they can cause harm or ill health. http://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/basics.htm

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 – These regulations cover the transporting or supporting of any load (including people) and how to carry this out safely and prevent injury. www.hse.gov.uk/msd/pushpull/regualtions.htm

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 2002 – These regulations set out how equipment, from televisions to lifting aids, is to be used safely. Work equipment needs to be checked and maintained regularly and employees trained in its safe use. www.hse.gov.uk/work-equipment-machinery/puwer.htm

The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) – These regulations have specific requirements relating to work equipment which is used for lifting and lowering people or loads. www.hse.gov.uk/work-equipment-machinery/loler.htm

Use to answer question 13.1a   of the Care Certificate