Health and safety is basically an act set out in 1974 aimed to protect those at work. It a primary piece of legislation covering occupational health and safety in Great Britain.
Also referred to as: HSWA, the HSW Act, the 1974 Act or HASAWA.
It sets out the general duties which:
- employers have towards employees and members of the public
- employees have to themselves and to each other
- certain self-employed have towards themselves and others
You can read the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in full on legislation.gov.uk.
You can find out about health and safety law in our guide Health and safety at work: criminal and civil law.