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 deaths too.
To find out more about The Health and Safety Executive in a workplace, please 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 and develop a health and safety policy as well as 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 Created?
The Health and Safety Executive was first established in 1975, it came 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.
Legislation For Not Following Health and Safety Laws
Non-compliance with health and safety laws and procedures can have some serious consequences for both organisations and individuals too. Seriously, 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 for employees - by not doing so, you can face consequences including company fines or prison sentencing.
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 the 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 the 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 too and any other people on the company's premises.
The Health and Safety at Work Act allows the government to issue regulations, guidance and Approved Codes of Practice for employers. These responsibilities are for the employer in every aspect of the workplace and health and safety
Difference Between Health and Safety at Work Act and The Health and Safety Executive
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is the primary legislation covering occupational health and safety in the UK, whilst the Health and Safety Executive is responsible for enforcing the Act.
Beaconrisk
We can help you at Beaconrisk with all of your health and safety concerns whilst at work. We understand that it can be difficult 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 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 25 years of experience in the sector, so if you need help with anything, we also have health and safety e-learning courses too. Whatever you need get in contact with us via our website where we will always be happy to assist you.