TABLE OF CONTENTS The initial introduction of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 enabled provisions in the Act to supersede legislation containedin 31 relevant Acts and 500 subsidiary regulations in use at that time. The 1974 Act is the framework which, over the years, will enable the gradual improvement of existing healthand safety requirements. This will be achieved by revising and updating current provisions in the form of regulations and approved codes of practice prepared in consultation withindustry. These provisions will maintain or improve the health and safety standards established by existing legislation. The objective of the Act is not only that it be introduced to rationalize existing provisions but also to ensure that standards of health and safety are improved, thereby providing greater protection to persons at work and to the general public.
Health and safety legislation is in four separate categories as follows.
The Factories Act 1961 and the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 are the result of Bills which, after being debated in Parliament, have received the Royal Assent andnow form part of criminal law.
The 1974 Act is all encompassing. It lays down only general duties and grants the appropriate minister the power to make detailed Regulations to cover relevant aspects referred to in general legislation. That is, the Act, being an up-to-date form of legislative control, differs from that found in previous formats of...
