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What is Health and Safety in the UK: A Guide to Workplace Legislation & Regulations

  • Writer: Denver Naguit
    Denver Naguit
  • Sep 30, 2025
  • 13 min read

Updated: Nov 13, 2025

Understanding workplace health and safety legislation is crucial for every employer and employee in the UK, this comprehensive guide examines the legal framework protecting workers, the regulations you must follow, and the substantial financial and human costs of non-compliance.


📋 Table of Contents




First aid kit
Since 1974, health and safety in the UK has changed completely

Summary


  • Main Legislation: The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 is the primary law regulating workplace health and safety in the UK

  • Cost Impact: Workplace injuries and ill health cost the UK economy £21.6 billion annually (2022/23), with employers bearing £4.1 billion directly

  • Injury Statistics: 61,663 non-fatal workplace injuries were reported in 2023/24, with 138 worker fatalities

  • ROI on Safety: Every £1 invested in workplace safety returns £4-£6 in savings

  • Working Days Lost: 33.7 million working days were lost due to work-related illness and injury in 2023/24

  • Key Regulations: Multiple regulations sit under the 1974 Act covering specific hazards and industries



What is Health and Safety?


Health and safety refers to the laws, policies, and practices that protect people’s wellbeing at work by preventing accidents, injuries, and ill health, health and safety in the workplace refers to the policies, procedures, and practices designed to protect the physical and mental wellbeing of everyone affected by work activities. This encompasses not only employees but also contractors, visitors, customers, and members of the public who might be impacted by workplace operations.


This still begs the question, what is health and safety? The scope of workplace health and safety has evolved considerably since 1974, modern health and safety encompasses:


  • Physical safety: Protection from immediate hazards such as machinery, falls, vehicles, and dangerous substances

  • Occupational health: Prevention of work-related ill health, including exposure to harmful substances, noise, vibration, and ergonomic risks

  • Mental health: Increasingly recognised as a critical component, addressing work-related stress, anxiety, and depression

  • Welfare facilities: Provision of adequate washing facilities, rest areas, and comfortable working conditions



1.7 million

Workers Suffering from Work-Related Ill Health (2023/24)

This represents a significant health burden across the UK workforce, mental health conditions continue to dominate, with stress, depression, and anxiety accounting for a substantial proportion of cases, but still represents a marked increase from 2018/19 levels



What Health and Safety Means for Modern Workplaces


In today's diverse working environment, health and safety considerations extend far beyond traditional industrial settings, office workers face ergonomic challenges and mental health pressures. Remote workers require appropriate home office assessments with healthcare workers confronting biological hazards and violence, each sector requires tailored approaches while adhering to the same fundamental legal principles as they face different health risks.



What Laws Regulates Health and Safety in the Workplace?


The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (often abbreviated as HSWA, HSW Act, or HASAWA) is the cornerstone legislation regulating health and safety in the workplace across Great Britain, this Act established the fundamental legal framework that continues to govern workplace safety standards 50 years after its introduction.


The 1974 Act is comprehensive "umbrella" legislation that sets out general duties for employers, employees, and the self-employed. Rather than prescribing detailed requirements for every workplace scenario, it establishes broad obligations that apply across all industries and work environments.



1974

The Year That Changed Workplace Safety Forever

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 was published on 31st July 1974, marking a watershed moment in UK employment law. Since its introduction, workplace safety in Britain has improved dramatically, with fatal injury rates declining significantly over five decades.



Core Duties Under the 1974 Act


The Act establishes clear responsibilities for different parties:


  • Employers: Must provide and maintain safe systems of work, equipment, and environments. They must ensure staff receive proper information, instruction, training, and supervision

  • Employees: Have duties to themselves and each other, including taking reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions

  • Self-employed persons: Must ensure they conduct their work in a way that doesn't put themselves or others at risk


UK Workplace H&S numbers (2023/24)

What is Health and Safety Legislation?


Health and safety legislation encompasses the entire body of laws, regulations, and statutory instruments designed to protect workers and the public from workplace hazards. While the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 provides the overarching framework, numerous specific regulations have been introduced to address particular risks and industries.


This legislative framework operates on multiple levels:


  • Primary legislation: The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 sets out broad legal duties and establishes the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as the enforcement body

  • Regulations: Specific statutory instruments that detail requirements for particular hazards, such as the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations or Manual Handling Operations Regulations

  • Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs): Practical guidance with special legal status, showing how to comply with the law

  • Guidance documents: Non-statutory advice issued by the HSE and other bodies to help interpret and implement the law



Why Health and Safety Legislation Matters

Beyond legal compliance, effective health and safety legislation saves lives, prevents suffering, and delivers substantial economic benefits, research demonstrates that robust safety management isn't just morally right - it's financially sound business practice.



What Are Health and Safety Regulations?


Health and safety regulations are specific legal requirements that sit beneath the umbrella of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, these regulations provide detailed, enforceable standards for managing particular hazards or protecting specific groups of workers.


Key Regulations Include:


These regulations are legally binding and failure to comply can result in prosecution, improvement notices, prohibition notices, and substantial fines.



What Are The Health and Safety Regulations (Compliance Requirements)?


Compliance with health and safety regulations requires employers to take specific, measurable actions, the regulations establish minimum standards that must be met with enforcement by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local authorities.


Essential Compliance Steps:




Cost of workplace injuries (2022/23)


The Financial Impact: Why Health and Safety Regulations Save Money


While some businesses may view health and safety compliance as a cost burden, the evidence overwhelmingly demonstrates that effective safety management delivers substantial financial returns, the costs of workplace accidents and ill health far exceed the investment required for prevention.



£4-£6

Return on Every £1 Invested in Workplace Safety

Research from multiple studies, including surveys of chief financial officers, demonstrates that workplace safety programs deliver exceptional returns on investment, reports indicate that each pound invested in injury prevention returns between £4 and £6 in savings.



How Health and Safety Investment Saves Businesses Money:


Investing in health and safety isn’t just about compliance – it’s a smart financial decision, by reducing workplace injuries and illnesses, businesses can cut costs, improve productivity, and protect their reputation.


From lower insurance premiums to fewer legal claims and reduced staff turnover, effective safety measures deliver measurable savings and long-term value, such as:


  • Reduced Absence: Fewer injuries mean less sickness absence, with 33.7 million working days lost annually to work-related ill health and injury, even small reductions generate significant productivity gains

  • Lower Insurance Premiums: Businesses with strong safety records typically secure lower employers' liability insurance premiums

  • Avoided Legal Costs: Preventing accidents avoids potentially devastating legal claims, which can cost thousands or millions of pounds

  • Enhanced Productivity: Over 40% of CFOs cite productivity as the top benefit of effective workplace safety programs

  • Reduced Recruitment and Training Costs: Lower staff turnover from injury-related departures saves substantial recruitment and training expenses

  • Protected Reputation: Major accidents can devastate a company's reputation, affecting customer relationships and future business opportunities


The Hidden Costs of Non-Compliance


Beyond direct costs like compensation payments and fines, workplace accidents generate numerous indirect costs that can be 10-36 times higher than direct costs:


  • Investigation time and resources

  • Production delays and lost orders

  • Overtime payments to cover absent staff

  • Damage to equipment and premises

  • Administrative time processing claims

  • Reduced morale and increased staff turnover

  • Management time dealing with aftermath



33.7 million

Working Days Lost to Workplace Injury and Ill Health (2023/24)

This represents a decrease of 1.5 million days compared to the previous year, yet still constitutes an enormous productivity loss for the UK economy. Each lost working day represents not just lost output but also increased pressure on remaining staff, potential delays to projects, and strain on resources.



Real-World Impact: Statistics That Demonstrate Safety's Value


Injury Prevention Statistics


The effectiveness of robust health and safety training and management is clearly demonstrated in workplace injury statistics:



61,663

Non-Fatal Injuries Reported by Employees (2023/24)

This represents a slight increase of just over 1,000 cases from 60,645 in 2023, these are only reported injuries under RIDDOR (injuries resulting in absence of more than 7 days, specified injuries, or dangerous occurrences), meaning the true number of workplace injuries is substantially higher.



Common Injury Types Prevented by Good Safety Practice:


  • Slips, Trips and Falls: Account for approximately 30% of all workplace injuries, simple measures like proper housekeeping and appropriate flooring can prevent thousands of incidents

  • Manual Handling Injuries: With over 500,000 workers suffering from musculoskeletal disorders, proper lifting techniques and mechanical aids prevent countless debilitating injuries

  • Falls from Height: Particularly prevalent in construction, proper fall protection equipment and procedures prevent many of the most serious workplace accidents

  • Contact with Moving Machinery: Machine guarding and proper lockout/tagout procedures prevent hundreds of potentially catastrophic injuries annually



500,000+

Workers Suffering from Musculoskeletal Disorders (2023/24)

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) represent one of the most significant categories of work-related ill health. These conditions, often caused by poor ergonomics, manual handling, or repetitive work, can be severely debilitating and long-lasting but the number has stabilised after increases during the pandemic years.



The Mental Health Dimension


Work-related stress, depression, and anxiety have emerged as the leading cause of work-related ill health in the UK.


The 2023/24 statistics reveal:


  • Mental health conditions account for the majority of work-related ill health cases

  • The total number of work-related ill health cases decreased from 875,000 in 2023 to 776,000 in 2024

  • Despite this reduction, mental health challenges in the workplace remain significantly elevated compared to pre-2019 levels


Addressing workplace stress through proper risk assessment, reasonable workload management, and supportive management practices not only fulfils legal obligations but also prevents enormous human suffering and economic loss.



Industry-Specific Considerations


Different industries face distinct health and safety challenges, requiring tailored approaches while adhering to the same fundamental legal framework:


Construction


Construction consistently records among the highest rates of workplace fatalities and serious injuries. In 2023/24, 51 construction workers died in workplace accidents accounting for 37% of all workplace deaths, the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 impose specific duties throughout the project lifecycle, from design through to completion, however, falls from height remain the leading cause of death in the construction sector.


Manufacturing


Manufacturing environments present machinery hazards, noise exposure, and chemical risks, in 2023/24, 16 workers died in manufacturing accidents, comprehensive risk assessments and machine guarding are essential compliance requirements.


Healthcare


Healthcare workers face unique challenges including biological hazards, manual handling of patients, violence and aggression, and high-stress environments, specific regulations address these risks.


Office Environments


While generally lower-risk, offices present their own challenges: ergonomic issues from prolonged computer use, mental health pressures, and slip and trip hazards remain significant concerns.


Enforcement and Penalties


The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local authorities enforce health and safety law, enforcement action can include:


  • Improvement Notices: Require specific actions within a defined timeframe

  • Prohibition Notices: Immediately halt dangerous activities

  • Prosecution: Criminal proceedings in magistrates' or crown courts

  • Fines: Unlimited financial penalties for serious breaches

  • Imprisonment: Up to two years, or five for serious cases

  • Director Disqualification: A maximum period of 15 years (Crown court) or 5 years (Magistrates Court)


Beyond formal enforcement, the reputational damage from serious incidents or prosecution can be devastating for businesses.



Practical Steps for Compliance


Starting Your Health and Safety Journey:


Getting health and safety right starts with strong foundations, by taking a structured approach - assessing risks, setting clear policies, training staff, and planning for emergencies - businesses can build a safer workplace, protect their people, and meet legal obligations.


These steps form the backbone of an effective health and safety management system:


  1. Conduct a comprehensive risk assessment - Systematically identify hazards and evaluate risks in your workplace

  2. Develop your health and safety policy - Create a clear statement of intent and arrangements for managing health and safety

  3. Appoint competent persons - Ensure someone has responsibility and capability to manage health and safety

  4. Provide training - Ensure all employees understand hazards and safe working procedures

  5. Establish consultation mechanisms - Create channels for employee involvement in health and safety matters

  6. Implement monitoring systems - Regularly review and update your arrangements

  7. Maintain records - Document your risk assessments, training, and incidents

  8. Plan for emergencies - Establish and test procedures for fire, first aid, and other emergencies



Remember: Health and Safety is Everyone's Responsibility

While employers bear primary legal responsibility, effective workplace safety requires active participation from everyone, employees must follow safe working procedures, report hazards, and take reasonable care for their own safety and that of others.



Final Thoughts


The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and associated regulations form a comprehensive legal framework protecting millions of UK workers, far from being a bureaucratic burden, effective health and safety management delivers measurable benefits: preventing human suffering, saving lives, and generating substantial financial returns.


With workplace injuries and ill health costing the UK economy £21.6 billion annually, and every pound invested in safety returning between £4 and £6, the business case for robust health and safety management is unequivocal. The statistics are clear: good health and safety isn't just legally required - it's sound business practice that protects people and profits alike.


50 Years

Of Protection Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

Since 1974, the Act has fundamentally transformed workplace safety in Great Britain, fatal injury rates have declined dramatically, and millions of workers have been protected from harm. While challenges remain, particularly around mental health and evolving work patterns, the legislative framework continues to adapt and protect the UK workforce.



Need Help with Health and Safety Compliance?


Ensuring compliance with health and safety legislation with adequate training protects your employees, your business, and delivers measurable financial returns. Don't wait for an incident to take action and take the steps necessary before it's too late.



Disclaimer: This article provides general information about UK health and safety legislation, while every effort has been made to ensure accuracy using official HSE statistics and government sources, it should not be considered legal advice. Specific situations may require professional health and safety consultation, always refer to current legislation and official HSE guidance for compliance requirements.



References and Further Reading


Sources Used in This Article:


  1. Fire Safety Law. (n.d.) Article 15: Procedures for serious and imminent danger and for danger areas. Available at: https://www.firesafetylaw.co.uk/article-15-procedures-for-serious-and-imminent-danger-and-for-danger-areas/

  2. Haspod. (n.d.) The hidden cost of accidents at work. Available at: https://www.haspod.com/blog/management/hidden-cost-of-accidents-at-work

  3. Health and Safety Executive (HSE). (n.d.) Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. Available at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm/2015/index.htm

  4. Health and Safety Executive (HSE). (n.d.) Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH). Available at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/

  5. Health and Safety Executive (HSE). (n.d.) Display Screen Equipment (DSE). Available at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/dse/

  6. Health and Safety Executive (HSE). (n.d.) Enforcement of health and safety law. Available at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/enforce/index.htm

  7. Health and Safety Executive (HSE). (n.d.) Health and Safety Executive homepage. Available at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/

  8. Health and Safety Executive (HSE). (n.d.) Health and safety made simple. Available at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/index.htm

  9. Health and Safety Executive (HSE). (n.d.) Health and safety made simple: Risk assessment. Available at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/risk/index.htm

  10. Health and Safety Executive (HSE). (n.d.) Health and safety made simple: Steps needed to manage risk. Available at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/risk/steps-needed-to-manage-risk.htm

  11. Health and Safety Executive (HSE). (n.d.) Health and safety training. Available at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/training/index.htm

  12. Health and Safety Executive (HSE). (n.d.) Health services sector guidance. Available at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/healthservices/index.htm

  13. Health and Safety Executive (HSE). (n.d.) Involving your workforce in health and safety. Available at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/involvement/index.htm

  14. Health and Safety Executive (HSE). (n.d.) Leadership and legislation. Available at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/leadership/legislation.htm

  15. Health and Safety Executive (HSE). (n.d.) L24: The Approved Code of Practice for the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Available at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l24.htm

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  36. Roofing Today. (2024) HSE 2024 statistics reveal biggest cause of construction fatalities. Available at: https://roofingtoday.co.uk/hse-2024-statistics-reveal-biggest-cause-of-construction-fatalities/

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Additional Resources:

  • HSE Website: www.hse.gov.uk - Comprehensive guidance, statistics, and legal information

  • UK Legislation: www.legislation.gov.uk - Full text of all health and safety legislation

  • HSE Books: Official publications and approved codes of practice

  • Industry-Specific Guidance: Sector-specific advice available through trade associations and professional bodies


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