ABSTRACT
The Health and Safety at Work Act, etc. 1974 (HSE, 1974), commonly referred to as the HSWA, provides the basis for British health and safety law. This chapter presents an outline of key aspects of the Act and in so doing provides an insight into:
The enabling framework of the Act that supports the implementation of European health and safety Directives.
Key sections of the Act.
The key duties imposed by the Act relating to the safeguarding of health and safety standards.
Liability for breach of health and safety duty.
The institutions of health and safety enforcement - the Health and Safety Commission and the Health and Safety Executive.
The enforcement process and resulting penalties.
The 'further reading' section at the end of this chapter (p. 58) lists publications which focus on health and safety at work and legislation.