Updated May 2025
Occupational health and safety (OHS), as the name suggests, is a field that covers different aspects of health and safety in the workplace. In the UK, employers are legally responsible for providing employees with a safe working environment. One key aspect of OHS is identifying and mitigating potential hazards through a risk assessment.
This blog will help you understand the role of Occupational Health and Safety in the workplace and introduce you to some of the legislation that establishes the responsibilities of employers. We will also look into the importance of risk assessments and advise you on properly implementing OHS.
The State Of Occupational Health And Safety In The UK
Each year, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) releases data that paints a clear picture of the risks workers face. The most recent figures from 2023/24 highlight why OHS remains a top priority for UK employers:
- 1.7 million working people were suffering from a work-related illness
- 776,000 cases involved work-related stress, depression, or anxiety
- 543,000 workers experienced musculoskeletal disorders
- 138 workers were killed in work-related accidents
- 604,000 sustained injuries at work
These statistics demonstrate the ongoing need for proactive safety management and underline the serious human and financial costs of workplace incidents.
Why Occupational Health And Safety Matters
An effective OHS system helps to:
- Reduce the number of workplace injuries and illnesses
- Improve productivity and morale
- Protect businesses from legal claims and reputational damage
- Ensure compliance with legal obligations.
A proactive approach protects your workforce and helps to create a culture of safety and accountability across the organisation.
Occupational Health And Safety Legislation In The UK
Understanding your legal responsibilities is a key part of managing occupational health and safety. Below are the main pieces of legislation that outline employer and employee duties.
| Legislation | Purpose | Who Is Covered? |
|---|---|---|
| Health and Safety, etc., at Work Act 1974 (HSWA) | Covers general health and safety, including the well-being of employees and the public in and around workplaces. | Employers, employees, self-employed persons and anyone who has control of a workplace. |
| Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR) | Provides a framework for employers and employees to manage health and safety risks in the workplace. | Employers, employees, and the self-employed. |
| Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) | Specifically covers health and safety during construction projects. This includes design, maintenance and demolition. | Clients, designers, contractors, principal contractors, principal designers, and workers involved in construction. |
Related Reading: What Are The Occupational Health Regulations In The UK?
Role Of The Health And Safety Executive (HSE)
The HSE is the UK’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. It provides guidance, conducts inspections, investigates incidents and enforces legal requirements. Failure to comply with HSE standards can result in penalties, enforcement notices and even prosecution.
The Importance Of Risk Assessments In Occupational Health And Safety
Risk assessments are a key element of an OHS framework. Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR), it is the responsibility of an employer (or self-employed person) to take reasonable steps “for the effective planning, organisation, control, monitoring and review of the preventive and protective measures.”
In practice, the employer is responsible for a risk assessment. The employer can carry out the risk assessment, or it can be delegated to a suitably qualified person.
Five Steps To A Risk Assessment
To correctly complete a risk assessment, the assessor should follow the five steps detailed in our blog:
- Identify potential hazards.
- Decide who might be harmed and how.
- Evaluate the risks and take steps to prevent them.
- Record your findings.
- Review the risk assessment.
Carrying out risk assessments has several benefits. Not only does it mean that you’re complying with the MHSWR, but it also reduces the risk of an accident in the workplace. Accidents are not just terrible for the people directly harmed, but they also damage productivity, morale and can lead to costly legal battles.
Related Reading: When Should a Risk Assessment Be Carried Out?
Common Hazards Addressed By Occupational Health And Safety
Occupational hazards vary depending on the industry. Some of the most common include:
- Physical hazards (e.g. slips, trips, and falls)
- Chemical hazards (e.g. exposure to harmful substances)
- Biological hazards (e.g. exposure to viruses or bacteria)
- Ergonomic hazards (e.g. poorly designed workstations)
- Psychosocial hazards (e.g. workplace stress, bullying)
Related Reading: Health And Safety 101: Explaining The Differences Between Risks And Hazards
Best Practices For Implementing Occupational Health And Safety
If you have not already done so, it’s important to establish an effective OHS program. If you feel confident, you can take on this responsibility yourself or get help from an organisation like CHAS. At CHAS, a Veriforce company, we’ve been helping contractors with their health and safety for over 25 years. We offer different membership packages, ranging from Standard to Elite, depending on your level of need.
However you decide to implement OHS, here are three things to consider:
- Who will be responsible for each part of OHS?
- How will you provide training for those that need it?
- Who will develop and implement OHS policies for your workplace?
Monitoring and continuous improvement are both essential elements of OHS. Steps four and five of the CHAS risk assessment process are “record your findings” and “review the risk assessment”. A risk assessment should be properly documented so that it can be easily accessed by those needing it later.
An adequately documented risk assessment also allows you to quickly review the risk assessment at a later date and ask some crucial questions. For example, are the procedures that have been outlined being followed? Have the recommendations for mitigating risks been carried out? Is there a clear date for the next risk assessment?
Another advantage of running regular risk assessments is that it enables you to foster a safety culture within your organisation. This is particularly important in sectors like construction, where the risks of dangerous accidents are higher. We have a blog on safety culture, and the benefits it can bring to your organisation that you can read on our website.
Summarising The Importance Of Occupational Health And Safety
To summarise, Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) is a field which covers health and safety in the workplace. OHS is a complex field because of the different pieces of overlapping legislation that employers need to be aware of.
Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR), employers (and some self-employed people) should complete a risk assessment. Regular risk assessments are a key part of a safe and productive workplace, especially in sectors like construction.
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