IOSH Managing Safely Practice Test

Under which act are UK employers legally obligated to ensure health and safety?

1. Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981

2. Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

3. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002

4. Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

The correct answer is: Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 serves as the cornerstone of health and safety legislation in the UK. This act places a general duty of care on employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare of their employees. It also extends this duty to those who may be affected by the work activities of the organization, such as visitors or the general public. The act outlines specific responsibilities, including providing a safe working environment, ensuring adequate training and supervision, and conducting risk assessments to identify potential hazards. It empowers the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local authorities to enforce compliance with the act and to take action against employers who fail to meet their legal responsibilities. The other options, while relevant to health and safety, serve specific purposes within the broader framework established by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. For instance, the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 address first aid provisions, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 focuses on the safe handling of hazardous substances, and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 outlines specific management requirements. However, these regulations do not replace the obligations set out in the Health and