The Health & Safety at Work etc Act (1974)

Enabling Act

Brought in a transformation in health and safety policy. Employers previously needed to comply with a confusing array of prescriptive standards. The 1974 act gave a new emphasis to prevention, it places a duty on all employers to protect workers and the public from the risks presented by their business activity. The act covers the whole of the UK. Health and safety legislation has not been devolved to the Scottish parliament and Welsh assembly.

The act brought together fragmented policy makers and inspectorates together creating the health and safety commission and executive.

The HASAWA was seen as providing the basis for the creation of a more effective system of regulation which would result in having improved levels of worker protection.