Health and safety policy

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSWA 74) places statutory responsibilities on both employers and employees for health and safety at work.

HSWA 74 requires that the employer protects, ‘as far as is reasonably practicable’, the health, safety and welfare at work of all employees. A further requirement is the provision of such information, instruction, training and supervision as is necessary to ensure the health and safety at work of their employees. The employee, in turn, is required to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and not to endanger that of others by their acts or omissions at work. They are also required to cooperate with their employer to enable any health and safety measures that are necessary to be implemented.

This document has been prepared by the Service Manager (Health and Safety) in response to HSWA 74 and is published following consultation and agreement with senior management, the health and safety committees, Unison and other staff representatives of West Suffolk Council.