03 HASAWA

Question 1

What is the aim of the Health & Safety at Work Act?

Answer 1

1. Provides the legal framework to promote, stimulate and encourage high health and safety standards
2. Places specific duties on both employers and employees, where breach of these duties can lead to criminal offences

Question 2

What duties does the HASAWA impose on an employer in respect of his employees and the general public?

Answer 2

Employers have an overall duty ‘to ensure as far as reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of his employees’ by:

1. Providing and maintaining safe plant and safe systems of work
2. Ensuring the safe use, handling, transport and storage of materials/substances
3. Providing information, instruction, training and supervision
4. Providing and maintaining a safe place of work, including access and egress
5. Providing and maintaining a safe working environment with adequate welfare facilities

Question 3

What would you expect to see in your employer’s health and safety policy?

Answer 3

1. Statement of intent - overall philosophy and commitment to H&S
2. Organisational structure - chain of command and each person’s responsibilities
3. Arrangements for H&S detailing specific procedures, e.g.:

• Management and use of PPE
• Provision of welfare
• Risk assessment procedures
• Training provisions
• Emergency procedures (first aid, fire etc.)
• Accident reporting

Question 4

What duties does the HASAWA impose on employees?

Answer 4

1. Take reasonable care of themselves and others who may be affected by their acts/omissions
2. Not to intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse work equipment
3. Use work equipment in accordance with instructions

Question 5

What relationship does the HASAWA have with the various health and safety regulations?

Answer 5

The HASAWA is the enabling act for H&S regulations - the regulations have been created to detail how the requirements of the HASAWA are to be achieved

Question 6

How is risk defined by the HASAWA?

Answer 6

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Question 7

What is the ‘reasonably practicable’ test?

Answer 7

Takes account of risk versus cost (in terms of money, time and/or trouble) from a defendant’s point of view without the benefit of hindsight

Question 8

How does the HASAWA affect your working life?

Answer 8

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