Health & Safety Legislation for Business Leaders
What you will learn
- Understand the main UK health and safety legal framework and the roles of regulators.
- Explain employer, director and senior manager responsibilities for protecting workers and others.
- Oversee risk assessment and the selection of appropriate control measures.
- Recognise key legal requirements for workplace conditions, equipment and personal protective equipment.
- Identify when specialist regulations may apply, including COSHH, asbestos, work at height and lifting operations.
- Understand worker consultation duties and ways to support participation.
- Respond to incidents, understand RIDDOR reporting and follow up on investigation findings.
- Review compliance and assurance information and take action on gaps.
Who the Course is for
The Business Leaders Series is designed for company directors and senior managers who want to strengthen their understanding of health, safety and environmental responsibilities. Whether you lead an organisation, oversee operations or contribute to strategic decisions, these courses will help you understand the key principles, legal duties and management systems relevant to your role. You will gain practical insights to support informed decision-making, provide effective oversight and embed responsible leadership across your organisation.
Course Details
Health and Safety Legislation for Business Leaders is a practical course for directors and senior managers who need to understand their legal responsibilities for workplace health and safety in the UK. It introduces the main duties placed on employers and leaders, explains how key regulations apply in practice, and explores how regulators investigate and enforce compliance.
Participants will examine risk management, worker consultation, higher-risk activities, incident reporting and effective oversight. They will leave better equipped to ask informed questions, support legal compliance and make health and safety part of sound business decision-making.
Module 1: The UK health and safety legal framework
- How health and safety law is structured and enforced across the UK
- The roles of the Health and Safety Executive and local authorities
- Understanding the difference between legislation, regulations and approved codes of practice
- Identifying which requirements apply to an organisation’s activities
Module 2: Leadership duties and accountability
- Employers’ duties to protect employees and others affected by their work
- Directors’ and senior managers’ responsibilities
- Delegation, competent advice and effective oversight
- The consequences of failing to meet legal duties
Module 3: Risk management and safe systems of work
- Risk assessment duties and suitable control measures
- Applying the hierarchy of controls
- Providing information, instruction, training and supervision
- Managing workplace hazards, maintenance and safe equipment
Module 4: Worker consultation and participation
- Consulting employees and safety representatives
- Supporting worker involvement in health and safety decisions
- Raising concerns and reporting hazards
- Building a culture where people can speak up and learn
Module 5: Core workplace regulations
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations
- Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER)
- Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations
- Manual handling, display screen equipment and work at height requirements
Module 6: Higher-risk work and specialist duties
- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
- Control of Asbestos Regulations
- Control of Noise at Work and vibration requirements
- Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER)
- Fire safety responsibilities and coordination with other duty holders
Module 7: Incidents, reporting and enforcement
- Reporting injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences under RIDDOR
- Incident response, investigation and corrective action
- HSE and local authority inspections and enforcement options
- Understanding prosecution, penalties and potential director liability
Module 8: Assurance and continual improvement
- Monitoring compliance and reviewing risk controls
- Using audits, inspections and performance indicators
- Managing contractors, organisational change and multiple sites
- Developing a practical action plan for leadership oversight
To find out more about this course or any other courses we offer, please contact one of our team.
