Introduction to Health and Safety - Unit Code:he/Os/Ch/Cr/06/6/A

This topic will provide an overview of health and safety principles, legislation, and guidelines relevant to various industries and workplaces.

Introduction to Health and Safety
Key concepts, legal framework, responsibilities, and practical steps for creating a safe workplace.

1. Why Health & Safety Matters

Reason	Impact
Protects workers	Reduces injuries, illnesses, and fatalities
Legal compliance	Avoids fines, prosecutions, and shutdowns
Financial benefits	Lowers insurance premiums, absenteeism, and turnover
Productivity & morale	Safer environments boost confidence and efficiency
Reputation	Demonstrates corporate responsibility to customers & partners

Term	Meaning
Health and Safety (H&S)	The discipline that protects the physical and mental well‑being of employees, contractors, visitors, and the public.
Risk	The combination of likelihood of an event occurring and the severity of its consequences.
Hazard	Anything that has the potential to cause harm (e.g., chemicals, machinery, ergonomic strain).
Control Measure	Any action that eliminates or reduces a risk (e.g., engineering controls, PPE, training).
Incident	An unplanned event that could have resulted in injury, illness, or damage (near‑misses are included).

Legislation	Main Requirement
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974	General duty of care for employers to ensure health, safety, and welfare of employees and others.
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999	Requires risk assessments, written health & safety policies, and competence of staff.
COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) 2002	Identify, assess, and control exposure to hazardous substances.
PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations) 1998	Ensure equipment is safe to use, maintained, and inspected.
RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) 2013	Mandatory reporting of work‑related deaths, serious injuries, and dangerous occurrences.
Equality Act 2010	Requires reasonable adjustments for disabled workers.

Tip: Keep a regulatory register that lists all applicable statutes, the responsible person, and review dates.

Policy & Commitment
- Written health‑and‑safety policy signed by senior management.
- Clear statement of objectives and responsibilities.
Planning
- Conduct risk assessments (identify hazards → evaluate risk → decide on controls).
- Set measurable targets (e.g., “reduce recordable injuries by 20 % in 12 months”).
Implementation & Operation
- Training & competence – induction, job‑specific training, refresher courses.
- Safe work procedures – method statements, permits‑to‑work.
- Provision of resources – PPE, signage, maintenance programs.
Monitoring & Measurement
- Regular inspections, audits, and incident investigations.
- Track leading indicators (near‑misses, safety observations) and lagging indicators (lost‑time injuries).
Review & Continuous Improvement
- Management review meetings (quarterly/annual).
- Update risk assessments and procedures after changes (new equipment, processes, legislation).

| Step | Action |

Topic Concept Map

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Occupational Hazards and Risks

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Risk Assessment and Management

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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

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Emergency Preparedness and Response

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Workplace Ergonomics

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Health and Safety Training

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Incident Investigation and Reporting

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Health and Safety Committees

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