POLICY

Health and safety in the UK are controlled by a number of laws, rules, and suggestions that look out for the health and safety of the public and building workers.

The 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA):

• This is the main law in the UK that governs health and safety. 

• It applies to all businesses, including building, and it is the employers' job to make sure their workers are safe and healthy.

• Taking care of the well-being and health of their workers and anyone else whose life may be touched by what they do at work. 

Regulations for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

• Businesses must give workers the right personal protective equipment (PPE) when other methods fail to reduce health and safety risks.

Personal safety equipment (PPE) should be properly checked out, maintained, and used by workers.  

Health and Safety Executive (HSE):

• It is the HSE's job to enforce health and safety rules in the UK, especially those that have to do with the building industry. 

• Companies can get help, tools, and advice from the HSE to make sure they follow health and safety rules.

• The HSE also deals with risks to public health and safety, conducts inspections and investigations, and acts to uphold the law. 

Work at Height Regulations 2005:

• Falls are one of the main reasons people die or get seriously hurt in the building business. 

• These rules are meant to keep people from working at heights. They require companies to look at the risks of working at heights, take steps to lower those risks, and make sure workers have the right tools, guidance, and training.