On 31st July 1974 the Health and Safety at Work Act received Royal Assent and its impact has resonated throughout the country since.
The Health and Safety at Work Act greatly influenced how occupational safety and health risks are managed and regulated in Great Britain. Prior to its introduction, there was a growing awareness of the many dangers present across different work industries such as mining and factory environments. A lack of health and safety precaution also leads to multiple industrial incidents which also sparked a need for change. This was reflected in the approach to overhauling the current system made by Lord Alfred Robens. The Robens report ultimately led to the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, together with the establishment of the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Through this, Roben hoped to simplify the current health and safety system to create a simple act that would apply to all workers. The HSWA created a framework of rules with the overarching aim of creating a safe working environment, aiming to protect the health, safety and welfare of people at work, together with the general public who may also be affected by work activities. The HWSA focuses on the risk of work rather than the actual workplace.
Since its incorporation the HWSA has helped to reduce the number of work-related injuries and deaths although this does still occur. According to the HSE, in 2022/23, 135 workers were killed in work-related accidents, whereas around the time of the Robens report there were around one thousand fatalities per year.
As technology evolves in the workplace, the HSWA must continue to evolve with it. As it does so it will continue to improve health and safety within the workplace, helping not only to keep people safe but to help give a positive experience of the working environment as putting people’s safety first is also putting their happiness and wellbeing first.