Your responsibilities for health, safety and the environment

Activities covered by health and safety laws

Many types of workplace activity pose specific risks to the health and safety of employees and others. For example:

• Using many types of machinery and equipment - from ladders to power tools - can be dangerous. Download the guide on using work equipment safely from the HSE website (PDF).
• Driving has obvious risks - your approach should include ensuring that all drivers are properly qualified and that they don't drive when tired. Download the guide on driving at work from the HSE website (PDF).
• Poorly designed workstations, or working without a break, can harm computer and other display screen equipment users. Download the guide on working with VDUs from the HSE website (PDF).
• Back injuries caused by poor lifting and carrying practices are the biggest single cause of injury. Download the guide on manual handling from the HSE website (PDF).
• Falls are still the biggest killer on construction sites. Download the guidance for people who work at height from the HSE website (PDF).
• Activities which create excessive noise can permanently damage hearing. Download the guide on noise at work from the HSE website (PDF).

You must include the well-known risks in your particular industry in the risk assessment which you carry out. You must also take into account the capabilities, training, knowledge and experience of your workers and ensure that the demands of the job do not exceed their ability to carry out their work without risk to themselves and others. See our guide on risk assessment - an overview.

For information on rules in different industries, see the page in this guide on health, safety and the environment in specific sectors.

For confidential advice on specific concerns, you can call the HSE Infoline on Tel 0845 345 0055.

Get information on health and safety issues affecting businesses in Northern Ireland at the HSENI website or contact the HSENI Enquiry Line on Tel 0800 0320 121.

Subjects covered in this guide

• Introduction
• Comply with key health and safety rules
• Comply with key environmental rules
• Who ensures that health and safety and environmental law is being complied with?
• Do I need to license or register my business?
• Make sure your business is properly insured
• Substances covered by health, safety and environmental law
• Activities covered by health and safety laws
• Maintain high standards of occupational health
• Health, safety and the environment in specific sectors
• Checklist: protecting health, safety and the environment
• Here's how my business approaches health and safety issues

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