Health & Safety Awareness FAQs

What health and safety responsibilities do people have at work?

All health and safety in the workplace falls under the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act. HSE (a government body) regulates and investigates incidents under this legislation. It places a duty on all employers "to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work" of all their employees. It extends these responsibilities to include all who enter business premises and also places some responsibilities with the employee.

What is meant by manual handling risks and hazards?

Various risks apply to manual handling such as lifting items that are too heavy or moving materials that may be hazardous in the correct way. The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (MHOR) require employers to manage the risks to their employees. They must: Avoid hazardous manual handling operations so far as is reasonably practicable, by redesigning the task to avoid moving the load or by automating or mechanising the process.

What is a risk assessment?

Management of the health and safety process involves setting a policy, creating a supportive internal culture, developing and implementing a health and safety plan and evaluating the plan's performance. The first element of this includes an initial risk assessment. It is completed by a responsible person (someone who is dedicated to health and safety) and identifies all existing and potential risks on site.