Legislation exists to protect people.
Laws have been created to enforce people’s rights and to solve conflict. They exist so everyone in society knows which behaviours and practices are acceptable and which are not.
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is the main legislation. The purpose of this Act can be found behind these animals who are considered dangerous:
- If you work for an organisation, your employer should display an official health and safety poster at main premises which sets out what you and your employer should do.
It should also display the name of your organisation’s health and safety representative.
Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
HSE is the government’s regulator of health and safety at work. We refer to them and their guidance quite a lot in our courses. You can get a free downloadable copy of the poster using the blue button.
There are other important laws that support the Health and Safety at Work Act. These are some of the main ones that apply to your work:
One thing is for sure. There are a lot of acronyms! Back to the serious stuff….
Everyone is responsible for health and safety.
That includes YOU!
If you see something dangerous, put it right if it is safe to do so and report it immediately. Let’s understand why…
You see some boxes in front of a fire exit, you walk past them thinking it is not your responsibility to say anything.
You drive home and switch on the television.
You hear that a fire has killed 3 of your colleagues and 20 residents at the care home you worked at because the fire exit was obstructed and they couldn’t get out fast enough. The care home is closed, you lose your job. Other residents are injured, traumatised and have to be relocated.
Unpleasant – sorry! It is not a nice scenario but it does happen. So, if you see something dangerous, like a fire exit obstruction, remove it immediately and report that you have done so. If you do not follow health and safety legislation and local policies and procedures, you are putting yourself and other people at risk of injury or even death.
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