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Health and safety laws are there to protect you, your workers and the public from workplace risks. In general, they apply to all businesses.
This is the main law governing health and safety at work in Great Britain.
The Act places general duties on employers, and some self-employed people to do what is ‘reasonably practicable’ to ensure your health and safety and that of others who may be affected by what you do or do not do.
This means balancing the level of risk against the measures needed to control it in terms of money, time or trouble.
Under these Regulations, employers must put arrangements in place to control health and safety risks.
These regulations cover a wide range of basic health, safety and welfare issues and apply to most businesses.
Under these Regulations, employers have a duty to consult with their workers, or their representatives, on health and safety matters.
These Regulations apply in workplaces where:
These Regulations apply in workplaces where workers are not covered by representatives appointed by recognised trade unions.
Workers must take care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions at work.
They must also co-operate with employers and co-workers to help everyone meet their legal requirements.
Both criminal (health and safety law) and civil law apply to workplace health and safety. They're not the same.