Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974: Full Printed Statute Text

The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 is the main piece of legislation governing health and safety in the workplace. It is often referred to as HSWA, the HSW Act, the 1974 Act or HASAWA. It establishes duties fro employers to make their workplace safe for employees as well as the public at large.

HSWA establishes the Health and Safety Commission and Health and Safety Executive, which since the passing of the act have merged into a single entity. The act introduces enforcement powers including criminal offences extending to unlimited fines and a maximum of 2 years imprisonment.

This statute book includes the full printed statute text as well as a sectionalised table of contents

General duties created by HSWA:

Duties of employers
Duties of persons having control of premises
Duties towards articles used at work
Duties towards substances used at work
Duties of employees
Duties of persons in general
Reasonably practicable

Act Introduction:

“An Act to make further provision for securing the health, safety and welfare of persons at work, for protecting others against risks to health or safety in connection with the activities of persons at work, for controlling the keeping and use and preventing the unlawful acquisition, possession and use of dangerous substances, and for controlling certain emissions into the atmosphere; to make further provision with respect to the employment medical advisory service; to amend the law relating to building regulations, and the Building (Scotland) Act 1959; and for connected purposes.”

[31st July 1974]

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