Page 141 - Quick Guide to Welding and Weld Inspection by S.E. Hughes, Clifford Matthews

Chapter 9

Health and Safety

Health and Safety at Work Act
The Health and Safety at Work Act (HASAWA) is a piece of
legislation that states that your employer has a duty under
the law to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, your
health, safety and welfare at work. In particular, your
employer must:
. Assess the risks to your health and safety.
. Make arrangements for implementing the health and
safety measures identified as being necessary by the
assessment.
. If there are five or more employees, record the significant
findings of the risk assessment and the arrangements for
health and safety measures.
. Make sure that the workplace satisfies health, safety and
welfare requirements, e.g. for ventilation, temperature,
lighting, and sanitary, washing and rest facilities.
. Make sure that work equipment is suitable for its intended
use, so far as health and safety is concerned, and that it is
properly maintained and used.
. Prevent or adequately control exposure to substances that
may damage your health.
. Take precautions against danger from flammable or
explosive hazards, electrical equipment, noise and radia-
tion.
. Avoid hazardous manual handling operations, and, where
they cannot be avoided, reduce the risk of injury.
. Provide health surveillance as appropriate.
. Provide free any protective clothing or equipment, where
risks are not adequately controlled by other means.
As an employee you have legal duties too. They include:

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