Annex XXXX: Common Health And Safety Risks and Relevant Regulations

Common Health and Safety risks and relevant regulations: 

Health and safety at work act 1974

The health and safety at work act (HSWA) is a UK legislation that places a duty on all employers to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of their employees and others affected by their work activities. It requires employers to assess and manage risks, provide adequate training and supervision, maintain a safe working environment, and consult with employees on health and safety matters.  The act also outlines responsibilities for employees to cooperate with their employer on health and safety, report any hazards or concerns, and follow safe working practices.

Personal protective equipment:

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is defined in the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 2002 as ‘all equipment (including clothing affording protection against the weather) which is intended to be worn or held by a person at work and which protects him against one or more risks to his health or safety’.

• Appropriate PPE is to be supplied and used wherever there are risks to health and safety that cannot be adequately controlled in other way.
• Employees should receive training on the proper use, maintenance and disposal of PPE
• Regular inspections should be conducted to ensure PPE is in condition and being used correctly

Control of asbestos

Control of asbestos regulations 2012 (CAR) imposes a duty on employers and building owners to identify and manage ACMs within their premises.  This includes conducting asbestos surveys, assessing the risks of exposure, and implementing control measures to prevent exposure. CAR also mandates training for employees, notification of work involving asbestos, and strict procedures for the safe removal and disposal of ACMs.

Gas safety 

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (GSIUR) govern gas safety to ensure the safe installation, maintenance and use of gas appliances and fittings. Key aspects include mandatory registration of gas engineers with the gas safe register, duties for landlords to ensure gas safety in rental properties through annual gas safety checks, and requirements for gas engineers to carry out work safely and in compliance with the regulations.

Electrical equipment:

The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 aims to ensure the safety of electrical equipment placed on the market and used in both domestic and commercial settings.  These regulations require electrical equipment to meet essential safety requirements, be appropriately marked with relevant safety information, and comply with relevant safety information, and comply with relevant European standards.  Manufacturers, importers, and distributors have obligations to ensure that electrical equipment is safe and that conformity assessment procedures are followed.

Hazardous substances

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) is a set of regulations aimed at protecting workers from the risks associated with hazardous substances.   These substances include chemicals, fumes, dusts, vapours, gases and biological agents.

Working at height

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply to all work at height where there is a risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury. The Regulations emphasize a hierarchy of control measures to manage the risks associated with working at height. This hierarchy prioritises avoiding work at height where possible, followed by using work equipment or other measures to prevent falls, and finally minimizing the distance and consequences of a fall if one occurs.

Manual handling

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (MHOR) is a set of regulations aimed at reducing the risk of injury from manual handling tasks, which involve lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling or carrying loads by hand or bodily force.  Employers must take measures to avoid manual handling activities where possible, if manual handling cannot be avoided, employers must implement control measures to avoid the risk of injury, such as providing mechanical aids (e.g. lifting equipment, trolleys), redesigning work processes, or providing training on safe handling techniques.

Lifting equipment:

The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1988 (LOLER) is a set of regulations aimed at ensuring the safe use of lifting equipment in the workplace, including cranes, hoists, forklift trucks and other machinery used for lifting loads. It mandates regular thorough examinations of lifting equipment by competent persons, proper maintenance, and safe use.  It requires operators to be trained and competent, equipment to be marked with its safe working load, and records of examinations and maintenance to be kept.

Data protection:

General data protection regulation (GDPR) governs the processing of personal data within the EU and EEA, ensuring transparency, fairness, and accountability.  It grants individuals rights over their data, mandates lawful processing, requires data breach notifications, and imposes significant fines for non-compliance, aiming to strengthen privacy rights and promote trust in data handling practices

Data protection act 2018: this legislation supplements GDPR and applies to the processing of personal data in the UK.

Please also refer to Section XXXX 

Consumer rights:

Consumer rights act 2015: This act strengthens consumer protections in the UK by ensuring goods and services are of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and match their description.  It grants consumers the right to reject faulty goods for a refund within 30 days, request repairs or replacements, and receive digital content of satisfactory quality.  The act also prohibits unfair contract terms and outlines consumers rights regarding delivery of goods and the provision of services.

Consumer protection from unfair trading regulations 2008: these regulations prohibit unfair commercial practices, ensuring customers are not misled or coerced into making purchases.  These regulations cover deceptive or aggressive sales tactics, false advertising, and unfair trading practices, aiming to promote fair competition and protect consumers from exploitation.