The basis of British health and safety law is the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

The Act sets out the general duties which employers have towards employees and members of the public, and employees have to themselves and to each other.

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (the Management Regulations) generally states what employers are required to do to manage health and safety under the Health and Safety at Work Act. Like the Act, they apply to every work activity.

The main requirement on employers is to carry out a risk assessment. Employers with five or more employees need to record the significant findings of the risk assessment.

For more information, please call the employment team on 0161 834 2623.