Legal Requirements
Health and safety law applies to risks from violence, just as it does
to other risks from work. The main pieces of relevant legislation are:
- The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSW Act)
Employers have a legal duty under this Act to ensure, so far as it is
reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of
their employees.
- The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations
1999
Employers must consider the risks to employees (including the risk
of reasonably foreseeable violence); decide how significant these
risks are; decide what to do to prevent or control the risks; and
develop a clear management plan to achieve this.
- The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences
Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR)
Employers must notify their enforcing authority in the event of an
accident at work to any employee resulting in death, specified injury,
or incapacity for normal work for seven or more days. This includes
any act of non-consensual physical violence done to a person at work. More information is available at the HSE RIDDOR pages.
- Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations
1977 (a) and The Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations
1996 (b)
Employers must inform, and consult with, employees in good time on
matters relating to their health and safety. Employee representatives,
either appointed by recognised trade unions under (a) or elected under
(b) may make representations to their employer on matters affecting
the health and safety of those they represent.
