Section 18: Standard on Enforcement

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The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Local Authorities (LAs) are the principal Enforcing Authorities (EAs) for Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA) in Great Britain. The primary purpose of the HSWA is to control risks from work activities. The role of the EAs is to ensure that duty holders manage and control these risks and thus prevent harm to employees and to the public.

Section 18 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA) puts a duty on the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local authorities (LAs) to make adequate arrangements for enforcement. The 'Standard' sets out the arrangements that LAs and HSE should put in place to meet this duty. Enforcing Authorities are legally required, from 1st April 2008, to work towards compliance with the principles and standards. From 31st March 2011, compliance is mandatory.