Regulations and Law for workplace Safety

Every employer in the UK is legally required to provide safety equipment and take precautions to protect their employees’ health, safety, and welfare. This can include providing them with the correct safety equipment such as helmets, respiratory protection, ear defenders, and harnesses. Having these measures in place will allow every worker to be protected from risks related to noise, hazardous substances, and other dangers.

At Best4Safety, we want to provide you with the most up-to-date information regarding workplace safety so that you can be prepared and understand what employers must do to stay compliant.

Key UK Workplace Safety Laws:

Employer Responsibilities and Duties

Under these laws, employers must carry out risk assessments for hazards like noise, chemicals, and airbourne particles. They must also provide PPE at no cost and ensure it is suitable for the task and train the staff on how to correctly use and maintain PPE and RPE.

Exposure levels must also be monitored where required, and health surveillance must be conducted. They must also consult with workers and safety representatives on health and safety matters.

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA) is the primary legislation. It places a duty on employers to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of employees and anyone affected by work activities.
Under the PPE at Work Regulations 2022, employers must provide suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) free of charge to all workers who may be exposed to health or safety risks — including agency staff and freelancers.
Employers must take action if daily or weekly noise exposure reaches 80 dB(A) and provide hearing protection if it reaches 85 dB(A). This is outlined in the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005.
Employers are legally responsible for ensuring COSHH compliance. This includes assessing risks from hazardous substances, implementing control measures, providing PPE, and training workers on safe handling procedures.
Non-compliance can lead to enforcement action by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), including fines, improvement notices, or prosecution. In serious cases, it can also result in civil claims or criminal charges.