TABLE OF CONTENTS The HSW Act was introduced to provide a comprehensive and integrated piece of legislation dealing with the health and safety of people at work and the protection of the public from work activities. A small amount of pre-1974 legislation is still in place despite strenuous efforts to repeal and replace it with updated legislation under the HSW Act.
The Act imposes a duty of care on everyone at work related to their roles. This includes employers, employees, owners, occupiers, designers, suppliers and manufacturers of articles and substances for use at work. It also includes self-employed people. The detailed requirements are spelt out in Regulations.
The Act basically consists of four parts: Part 1 covers:
the health and safety of people at work
protection of other people affected by work activities
the control of risks to health and safety from articles and substances used at work
the control of some atmospheric emissions.
Part 2: sets up the Employment Medical Advisory Service.
Part 3: makes amendments to the safety aspects of Building Regulations.
Part 4: general and miscellaneous provisions.
The employers main general duties are to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all their employees, in particular:
the provision of safe plant and systems of work
the safe use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances
the provision of any required information, instruction, training...
