When it comes to health and safety, the subject appears, on the surface, needlessly complicated and obscure. Where, for example, do I get the information on regulations? Who does it apply to? Why does it appear that the EU makes my life even more difficult than it already is?

 

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 came about as a result of a commission set up by the Government in the early 1970s, chaired by Lord Robens. The brief was to review the vast amount of legislation affecting workplaces and to come up with a more workable and flexible alternative. Old, outdated laws and regulations were to be withdrawn, and a new system was introduced to ensure that, whatever the workplace activity, minimal standards relating to health, safety and welfare would apply.

 

No longer would the employer have to wrestle with outdated and historical legislation, such as, The Gut Scrapers and Tripe Dressers Welfare Order" or The Moral and Welfare of Apprentices Act. The new law made much of the concept of reasonable practicability (cost versus benefit) when deciding what should be done in a workplace. This concept was to be embodied in the self regulating risk assessment requirements in the 'six pack' regulations of the 1990's

 

For example, the requirements of a large distribution warehouse are totally different from a bookshop. It goes without saying therefore, that the new system was simpler to operate, applying to all businesses regardless of size. The self employed and employees were also included and there is a degree of flexibility, which hadn't been the case before.