Health and safety regulation of hazardous substances

Health and safety—general duties

Health and safety laws apply to all businesses. The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA 1974) is the primary piece of legislation covering occupational health and safety in Great Britain. Employers and the self-employed must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of employees, visitors, contractors and the public.

The general duties imposed by HSWA 1974 apply in England, Wales and Scotland and many of the regulations equally apply across these jurisdictions, although some also have jurisdiction-specific regulations in certain cases.

For more information on the general health and safety duties, see:

1. •

   Health and safety offences—overview

2. •

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

3. •

   Directors’ duties for health and safety

4. •

   Health and safety law and the self-employed

5. •

   Employees' duties to take reasonable care for health and safety at work

See also: Health and safety toolkit.

Health and safety—specific duties

HSWA 1974