Which UK law mandates workplace health and safety standards?

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HASAWA) is the primary piece of legislation in the UK that sets out the framework for ensuring health and safety in the workplace. This law places a general duty on employers to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare of their employees. It also establishes the responsibilities of employees to take care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.

HASAWA is fundamental because it forms the cornerstone of occupational health and safety legislation in the UK, encompassing various aspects such as risk assessments, safety measures, and compliance with specific regulations that arise from its provisions. By posing general duties on employers and employees alike, it encourages a proactive approach to managing workplace safety.

While the other options listed are important regulations under the broader umbrella of health and safety law, they focus on specific areas. For example, the Workplace Regulations 1992 are designed to cover varied safety issues in the workplace, the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 specifically pertain to first aid provisions, and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 deals primarily with the exposure to hazardous substances. Each of these is underpinned