The Health and Safety Executive is the UK’s national regulator for health and safety in the workplace. It is the official agency that policies health and safety and is in place to help prevent injuries and ill health caused by a working environment and helps to prevent work-related death too.
If you want to find out more about The Health and Safety Executive, we’ve got you covered. Read on for more information about them and what their role is within a company.
What Does the Health and Safety Executive Do?
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) promotes safer working practices and advises employers and workers on health and safety. They also carry out relevant research to develop health and safety policies, as well as a strategy.
This ensures compliance with health and safety laws through regular inspections, investigations and prosecutions. It is the national non-departmental regulatory body, responsible for promoting the cause of better health and safety at work by providing an effective regulatory framework.
When was the Health and Safety Executive Put Into Place?
The Health and Safety Executive was first established in 1975, about a year after the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 came into play. It is the role of the Health and Safety Executive to make sure the law on health and safety is being enforced.
What Happens if You Don't Follow Health and Safety Laws?
Non-compliance with health and safety laws and procedures can have some serious consequences for both organisations and individuals too. Organisations are following the rules on health and safety at all times and sanctions include receiving fines, imprisonment and disqualification.
Breaching such health and safety requirements is an offence, this is why it is taken so seriously. Companies have a common law duty to ensure the working environment is safe foremployees - by not doing so, you can face consequences such as:
- Legal consequences, such as fines, penalties, or even criminal charges against those responsible.
- Increased risk of accidents
- Damage to reputation: Businesses or individuals that don't adhere to the relevant health and safety standards may suffer from damaged reputations or loss of trust among stakeholders
- Financial implications: Apart from fines and legal expenses, non-compliance may lead to increased insurance premiums, compensation claims, and productivity losses due to downtime.
These are just some of the many consequences associated with not abiding by the relevant health and safety rules and regulations.
The Health and Safety Executive Role
HSE is guided by health and safety law, and The Health and Safety Executive's job as a regulator is to ensure that management takes responsibility for the risks they create in the workplace.
Legislation and enforcement will be carried out through audits and inspections, and provide essential information on health and safety guidelines to make sure that all employees understand the law when it comes to health and safety legislation.
The Health and Safety Executive’s guidance influences health and safety awareness in the workplace among employees as well as employers, it is important that everyone knows what their responsibilities entail, including what they can do to ensure compliance across the whole company or business.
Everyone has a part to play in ensuring health and safety, from employees to investigators. It is all about keeping everyone safe in every aspect of the workplace and is in place for the employer.
Health and Safety at Work Act
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, sometimes referred to as the HSWA, HASAWA or HSW Act, lays down the law for employers to keep all employees safe.
Employers must protect the welfare of all employees at work, as well as visitors, clients, all temporary or casual workers, and any other people on the company's premises.
The Health and Safety at Work Act allows the government to issue health and safety regulations, guidance and approved codes of practice for employers. These responsibilities are for the employer in every aspect of the workplace, including health and safety. Many people tend to get confused between The Health and Safety at Work Act and the Health and Safety Executive.
The HSWA is the primary legislation covering occupational health and safety in the UK, whereas the Health and Safety Executive is responsible for enforcing the Act.
Contact Beaconrisk to Protect Your Workforce Today
We can help you with all of your workplace health and safety concerns at Beaconrisk Health and Safety.
We know how difficult it can be for businesses to keep up-to-date with Health and Safety rules and regulations and this can take you away from what you do best - your job! We offer expert health and safety advice to ensure that your business is as safe as possible. We are always here to help and we understand the importance of health and safety compliance within a business.
Our Health and Safety experts have over 30 years of health and safety experience, and if you need help with your health and safety training, we also offer online health and safety e-learning courses too. All our online training courses are affordable and can be completed in your own time and at your own pace.
Get in touch with our team on 0800 059 0101 or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will be happy to help you!