Health and safety

Health and safety

Health and safety is a complex area of law which not only has its own legal specialism, but also filters into many other areas of law, including employment.

The material in the health and safety topic gives an overview of the main areas of health and safety law that are likely to be encountered by employment lawyers and with which most employment lawyers will need some degree of familiarity. It also highlights in more detail particular issues, such as smoking in the workplace, on which many employment lawyers will be asked to advise on a regular basis.

The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) website is a useful source of further detailed guidance on many of the issues covered in our health and safety topic.

Legislative framework

Health and safety in the workplace involves two different branches of the law—criminal law and civil law. The interplay between the two areas, including the compliance issues and main obligations are set out in the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA 1974).

Safety and the risk to safety under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

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