Health & Safety Law

Which act is the primary legislation covering health and safety in the workplace in the UK?

• AHealth and Safety at Work Act 1974✓
• BControl of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
• CManagement of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
• DElectricity at Work Regulations 1989

Answer: The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSWA) is the primary UK legislation establishing a framework for health and safety in the workplace. It places duties on employers, employees, and others to ensure health and safety.

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, who has the primary duty to ensure the health and safety of employees?

• AThe employee
• BThe employer✓
• CThe health and safety executive
• DThe local authority

Answer: Employers have a primary duty under Section 2 of the HSWA to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of their employees.

What does RIDDOR stand for?

• AReporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations✓
• BRisk Identification and Determination of Dangerous Operational Records
• CRegulatory Inspectorate for Dangerous Devices and Operational Review
• DRequirements for Incident Documentation, Diagnosis and Occurrence Records

Answer: RIDDOR is the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013. It requires employers to report certain accidents and incidents to the HSE.

Which incident must be reported to the HSE under RIDDOR?

• AA minor cut requiring plaster
• BAn employee off work for 7 consecutive days✓
• CAny injury requiring first aid
• DDust inhalation with no symptoms

Answer: Under RIDDOR, accidents resulting in workers being off work for more than 7 consecutive days (including rest days) must be reported to the HSE. This includes non-working days after the injury.

What is the time limit for reporting a notifiable accident to the HSE under RIDDOR?

• AWithin 24 hours
• BWithin 7 days
• CWithin 10 days✓
• DAs soon as practicable but no later than 15 days

Answer: Notifiable accidents must be reported to the HSE as soon as practicable, but in any case not later than 10 calendar days after the incident occurs.

Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, what must employers do?

• AOnly provide first aid kits
• BCarry out risk assessments and implement control measures✓
• CAppoint a health and safety manager
• DIssue hard hats to all workers

Answer: The Management Regulations require employers to carry out risk assessments to identify hazards and implement appropriate control measures to protect health and safety.

What is the role of a competent person in health and safety terms?

• ASomeone who has passed all health and safety tests
• BSomeone with sufficient training, experience and knowledge to carry out specific tasks✓
• CAny person appointed by the HSE
• DOnly qualified health and safety officers

Answer: A competent person has sufficient training, experience, knowledge and other qualities to enable them to carry out health and safety duties properly. This doesn't necessarily require formal qualifications.

Which regulation covers the use of personal protective equipment in the workplace?

• AControl of Asbestos Regulations 2012
• BPersonal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992✓
• CHealth and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981
• DNoise at Work Regulations 2005

Answer: The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (PPE Regulations) require employers to provide appropriate PPE and ensure it is used correctly by employees.

Under Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, what duty do employees have?

• ATo provide all safety equipment
• BTo ensure the workplace is safe for others
• CTo cooperate with the employer and not to interfere with safety provisions✓
• DTo conduct all risk assessments

Answer: Section 7 requires employees to cooperate with their employer so far as is necessary to enable the employer to fulfil health and safety duties, and not to intentionally or recklessly interfere with safety measures.

What is a 'dangerous occurrence' under RIDDOR?

• AAny event that could potentially cause injury
• BAn event with the potential to cause harm, even if no injury occurs✓
• CAn event that definitely causes injury
• DAn event that requires first aid treatment

Answer: A dangerous occurrence is an event that has potential to cause serious harm, even if no actual injury results. Examples include electrical faults and structural failures.

How often should a risk assessment be reviewed?

• AEvery 5 years
• BAnnually
• CRegularly and whenever circumstances change✓
• DOnly when the HSE requests it

Answer: Risk assessments must be reviewed regularly and revisited whenever significant changes occur in the workplace, procedures, or work activities. This is typically annually or more frequently.

What does the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require?

• AThat all electrical work must be certified
• BThat electrical systems are constructed, maintained and used to prevent danger✓
• CThat only qualified electricians can work with electricity
• DThat all electrical equipment must be tested monthly

Answer: The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require that electrical systems are constructed, maintained and operated to prevent danger. This applies to any person responsible for electrical systems.