ABSTRACT
The purpose of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is to provide the legislative framework to promote, stimulate and encourage high standards of health and safety at work. The minister primarily concerned with the Act is the Secretary of State for Employment, and he or she makes most of the regulations in consultation with other appropriate ministers. Employers must safeguard, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of all the people who work for them. The Health and Safety Commission consists of representatives of both sides of industry and the local authorities. It takes over from government departments the responsibility for developing policies in the health and safety field. On many sites, an assessment of all potential risks has to be made and a method statement prepared indicating all the risks, how they should be minimized and controlled and the actions necessary in the event of an emergency.
