Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 etc

The Health and Safety at Work Act provides the legal framework to promote, stimulate and encourage high standards of health and safety in places of work.

The Health and Safety Act remains the same, but the Health and Safety Offences Act was introduced in October 2008.

This new piece of legislation gives courts greater powers of sentencing and increases fines for those who breach health and safety legislation.

It came into force in January 2009. The Act amends Section 33 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and raises the maximum penalties available to the courts in respect of certain health and safety offences.