Legal Responsibilities

Legal Responsibilities

The main piece of law is the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974). This puts responsibilities for Health and Safety on both employers and employees.

This main piece of legislation enables further regulation to be made, as necessary, to give more detailed laws to ensure all Health and Safety matters are covered. There are numerous regulations that apply to Fish & Chip shops and some of these will be covered later on.

The main overall duties that are included in the law include:

• Employers must provide a safe place of work

• Employees must look after the health and safety of themselves and anyone else that may be affected by what they do

• Employees must cooperate with the management regarding health and safety

• Employees must use safety equipment provided

• Employers must have a written Health and Safety Policy if they employ 5 or more people. The policy tells staff how the company intend to manage health and safety in order to have high standards of Health and Safety and meet legal requirements

• Risk Assessments must be carried out by your employer on the premises, equipment and all the jobs you do. If they employ 5 or more staff these Risk Assessments must be written down

Criminal law and Civil Law

The Health and Safety at Work etc Act (1974) (HSW Act) is criminal law aimed at protecting employees and others who may be affected by work activities. It is enforced mainly by HSE (Health and Safety Executive) and local authorities (local councils).

Civil law covers things like compensation claims from anyone who is affected by the criminal law not being adhered to.