Transcript Health and Safety Law

Health and Safety
Law
The Health and Safety at Work etc Act
1974
There are 2 sub-divisions of the law that apply to health
and safety issues:
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Criminal Law – rules of behaviour (Law of the land).
An individual who breaks criminal law is deemed to have
committed an offence or crime
Civil Law – concerns disputes between people and
deals with liability as opposed to guilt eg. negligence
Health and Safety Law
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Several judgements have established that employers
owe a ‘duty of care’ to each of their employees. This
duty cannot be assigned to others, even if a consultant
is employed to advise on health and safety matters or if
employees are sub contracted to work with another
employer.
Employees have a duty of care placed upon them under
section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
The Health and Safety at Work etc Act
1974
Examples of Regulations:
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regs. 1999
Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Reg.1992
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regs. 2002
Electricity at Work Regs. 1989
Health and Safety (First Aid) Regs 1981
Manual Handling Operations Regs 1992
Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regs. 1996
Reporting Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences
Regs 1995
Health and Safety
Quiz
SCENARIO
A foundation stage pupil is riding a tricycle in the
foundation unit’s playground. The playground is
accessed by climbing 4 steps which are approximately 2
metres in width. There are 2 members of staff
supervising a total of 9 children in the playground.
The pupil rides the tricycle over the top step and falls
down them suffering facial injuries and cuts and bruises
to their arms and legs.
The child’s parents are contacted and after a visit to
hospital the child has 5 days off school.
SCENARIO
A visitor to your premises slips on the footpath leading
to the main entrance doors on a patch of ice.
After reporting the incident they leave as they feel
‘shook up’. The day after, they contact you
and inform you that they have suffered a fractured
collarbone as a result of the fall.
SCENARIO
A member of staff trips over a loose piece of carpet on
the corridor in the building where you work.
First aid is offered and the staff member initially feels ok.
The next day they ring in sick with a painful back as a
result of the trip and end up being off work for 2 weeks.
SCENARIO
A member of staff suffers a shoulder injury whilst
carrying boxes from reception to the store cupboard.
They report the injury to the ‘first aider’ then go home.
The staff member has 4 days off sick as a result of the
injury.
Handouts
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Any questions ?
Reference
Health and Safety policy statement.
Health and Safety information available via
intranet / RGFL.