The Occupational Health and Safety Act of UK is a complex body of legislation which governs the protection of UK workers from the risks of accidents at work. The Act was introduced in 2021 to make the workplace safer for all workers both at work and at leisure. It makes provision for employers to ensure safe working conditions and limits the liability of an employer in the event of an injury or illness occurring on the premises of their business. The Act covers all employees who may be employed by a company in the UK including the self-employed and even part-time gardeners and such others who are not officially employed by a company. It also applies to all companies who do business in the UK including hotels, restaurants, shops, transport services and sports clubs and even those living in certain parts of England (Wales and Scotland).
The legislation is incredibly comprehensive and it can be a good idea to work with a Occupational Health Wales company such as Insight Occupational health to ensure that you are following the guidelines that are relevant for your type of business.
The Act itself regulates many aspects of work but also makes provisions for some ‘off-work’ occupations which are designed to improve the general condition of workers at work, though the Act itself does not directly address these situations. Examples of such occupations include care workers (house cleaners), gardeners, carers, managers of leisure services, sportsmen and women, and care takers in residential accommodation. However, it does set standards of reasonable working conditions for all categories of workers and the Act is applicable to all workers in the UK regardless of their classification. It is hoped that the Act will prevent conditions such as dangerous working environments that have plagued the UK workplace for too long from being exacerbated.