The government uses legislation to regulate businesses’ behaviour and prevent them from exploiting people. There are laws to protect consumers who buy from businesses and workers employed by businesses.
In order to prevent accidents and keep workers safe, the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) outlines the responsibilities that both employers and employees have in keeping the working environment safe.
Employers should provide:
staff training
safety equipment, including tools and clothing where appropriate
drinking water
toilets and suitable washing facilities
first aid equipment
Employees are expected to:
complete training provided by their employer
use safety equipment tools and wear safety clothing
take responsibility for their own safety in the workplace
report any risks to their employer
In addition, the Working Time Regulations (1998, amended 2003) place limits on the number of hours that employers can expect staff to work. They also specify the breaks employees are entitled to. The regulations ensure that staff:
can only be asked to work, on average, up to 48 hours per week
are entitled to a minimum of 5.6 weeks’ holidays per year
have a minimum of one day off each week
have at least 11 consecutive hours off in every 24-hour period
take a 20-minute break when working more than 6 hours
