01: Introduction

Employers have a general duty to ensure the health and safety of their employees and to protect their mental and physical health, and (save for very small employers, with fewer than five employees) there is an additional duty to prepare a written health and safety policy. The duty to protect individuals from health and safety risks also covers third parties on employer premises, even if they are not employees. In workplaces where there is a recognised trade union it has the right to appoint safety representatives with whom the employer must consult on health and safety issues. These safety representatives have the right to carry out health and safety inspections in the workplace. Employers also have specific duties in relation to industry-specific workers. These duties cover lighting, heating, cleanliness and other connected health and safety matters.