One of the most crucial legislation relating to health safety in the workplace is the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act of 1974. The body is responsible for enforcing the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act of 1974 is the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The body must ensure that every workplace in the UK complies with the act. Considering the number of lawsuits against businesses in the UK, it is essential to follow the proper health and safety guidelines. Also, for companies and organisation to protect their employees and themselves from crippling consequences, they must take health and safety seriously.
Why was the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act (HSWA) 1974 formed?
With the number of accidents and death in the workplace in the early 1970s, it was evident that there was a need to look into health and safety conditions for workers. The UK, following the US response of launching the Occupational Safety and Health Act in 1970, decided to introduce the Employed Person (Health and Safety) bill. A committee of inquiry led by Lord Robens held a meeting to discuss the UK’s next step towards workplace health and safety following increasing debates on the subject.
The result of the meeting was the introduction the HSWA across the UK. The HSWA is there to help businesses and organisations comply with the health and safety requirement for the workplace. Organisations, business, employees and employers all have a better understanding of workplace health and safety rules due to the HSWA. However, the employer is responsible for communicating the ethics of compliance of the HSWA to the employees. Likewise, the responsibility extends to the protection of work associates and customers. Nevertheless, fines, lawsuits and reputational damage will follow employers and business that fail to comply with the health and safety requirement for the workplace.
Health and safety compliance is one of the many reasons that the technological scene, such as space science, continues to grow. Example; would somebody consent to fly into space if they were not aware that they had adequate safety provided to them through health and safety act? The answer is no. Proper implementation of health and safety laws by employers give assurance to professionals in high-risk fields like medical research to keep on working.
What Happens When Employers Fail to Comply with Health and Safety at Work etc. Act (HSWA) 1974
All regulatory duties in detail for organisations, employers, employee and contractors are in the HSWA. The bodies responsible for ensuring compliance of the health and safety regulations are the Health and Safety Commission and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Both organisations have the power to enforce compliance across the UK, and the threat of criminal action backs them. Should the lack of compliance by an organisation result in the injury of an employee in the workplace. Then that organisation will be held responsible and will be charged with a penalty of up to two years in jail, fined, and the organisation’s reputation will be in question.
Any organisation that hopes to protect its employee and not face any disciplinary action must comply with the HSWA.