Health and safety legislation and regulations
Health and Safety Legislation and Regulation
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
- The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is the main piece of legislation covering occupational health and safety in the UK.
- The law is enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local authorities.
- The key principle is that all employers have a duty to protect the health, safety, and welfare of their employees and other people who might be affected by their business, such as clients or visitors.
- This includes providing a safe working environment, equipment and systems, as well as information, instruction, training and supervision.
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
- The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 reinforces the duties outlined in the Health and Safety at Work Act.
- This includes assessing risks in the workplace and implementing appropriate measures to control those risks.
- Businesses must also provide information and instruction on managing identified risks.
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR)
- The RIDDOR requirements stipulate that employers must report and keep records of designated work-related illnesses, injuries, and incidents.
- If a customer or employee suffers from an incident leading to a certain type of injury, is diagnosed with a designated occupational disease, or dies in a work-related accident, RIDDOR reporting is essential.
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)
- COSHH is the law that ensures employers control substances that can harm workers' health.
- In a beauty therapy context, this includes products such as chemical solutions, hair dyes, and nail adhesives, which can be harmful if not handled and stored correctly.
- Employers need to carry out a COSHH assessment, which is basically a risk assessment under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at Work Regulations 1992
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) covers items such as protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other garments designed to protect the wearer's body from injury or infection.
- Employers are required to provide appropriate and well-maintained protective equipment free of charge, and supervise its use.
Data Protection Act 2018
- The Data Protection Act is an essential aspect of the beauty therapist's responsibilities. It ensures the protection and proper usage of client information.
- All personal data should be processed lawfully, transparently, and for a specific purpose. Once that purpose is fulfilled, it should be deleted.
Remember, understanding these regulations is essential as a beauty therapist, not only for exam success but for your professional career. You have a responsibility to uphold these standards to safeguard your clients and maintain a safe and effective practice.