A3: Health, safety and environmental regulations

• Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974


  Defines employers' responsibilities to protect the health, safety and welfare at work of employees and members of the public; and defines employees' duties to protect themselves and each other
• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999


  Aims to reduce the number and severity of accidents in the workplace, through assessment and management of risk
• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 and subsequent amendments 2004


  Requirement for employers to control substances hazardous to health by reducing or preventing employees' exposure to these substances
• The Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Amendment) Regulations 2022

  Defines employers' responsibilities to provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce harm to employees, visitors and clients. This can include safety helmets, masks, goggles and gloves
• Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR)

  Defines employers' duties to report serious workplace accidents, occupational diseases and specified dangerous occurrences ('near misses')
• Environmental Protection Act 1990

  Makes provision for the improved control of pollution to the air, water and land by regulating the management of waste and the control of emissions
• Special Waste Regulations 1996

  Measures relating to the regulation and control of the transit, import and export of waste (including recyclable materials), the prevention, reduction and elimination of pollution caused by waste and the requirement for an assessment of the impact on the environment of projects likely to have significant effects on the environment
• Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005


  Controls the storage, transport and disposal of hazardous waste (waste stream) to ensure it is appropriately managed and any risks are minimized
• The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations (2013)

  To reduce the amount of electronic and electrical equipment incinerated or sent to landfill sites. Places onus on all businesses to correctly store and transport electrical waste
• Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRO) 2005

  To reduce death, damage and injury caused by fire by placing legal responsibilities on employers to carry out a fire risk assessment. All organisations are required to have procedures for evacuation in the event of a fire
• Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (as amended)

  Requires employers to assess and minimise the risk to employees' health involved in the manual handling, moving and positioning of an object, person or animal and workplace ergonomics
• A3.2 How to assess and minimise potential hazards and risks, including specific levels of risk, by using the Health and Safety Executive’s 5 Steps to Risk Assessment: 

  • Step 1: Identifying the hazards 
  • Step 2: Deciding who might be harmed and how
  • Step 3: Evaluating the risks and deciding on precautions 
  • Step 4: Recording findings and implementing them, including completing risk   assessment documentation 
  • Step 5: Reviewing your assessment and updating if necessary
• How health and safety at work is promoted

  1. Encouraging individuals to take reasonable care of their own and others' safety

  2. Modeling good practice (for example washing hands and wearing appropriate PPE)

  3. Following organisational policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs), including site-specific emergency procedures

  4. Ensuring that there is clearly visible information and guidance

  5. Following processes for recording and reporting issues and concerns

  6. Maintaining equipment and removing faulty equipment

  7. Following correct manual handling techniques

  8. Ensuring working environments are clean, tidy and hazard free

  9. Appropriately storing equipment and materials

  10. Completing statutory training
• A3.4 How to deal with situations that can occur in a health or science environment that could cause harm to self or others (for example, spillage of hazardous material):

  • Following organisational health and safety procedures 
  • Keeping oneself and others safe, including evacuation as appropriate 
  • Securing the area 
  • Reporting and/or escalating as appropriate
  • Debriefing and reflecting on the root causes, to prevent the situation from recurring