Introduction to Fire Safety Management

Organising for safety
43
Under the HSWA, self-employed persons have 
general duties to ensure, as far as is reasonably 
practicable:
➤
The safety of themselves while at work
➤
That others who may be affected by their work 
activities are not exposed to risks to their health and 
safety.
The general duties imposed by the HSWA are extended 
by the MHSW Regulations in that the self-employed are 
required to:
➤
Conduct a risk assessment – there is no legal 
requirement to record the fi ndings
➤
Cooperate with other people who work in the same 
premises and, where appropriate, cooperate in the 
appointment of a health and safety coordinator
➤
Provide clear understandable information to other 
people’s employees working in their undertaking.
3.2.12 Persons in control of premises
The term premises includes buildings, outdoor areas 
such as farms or railway lines but specifi cally excludes 
domestic premises. Persons in control of non-domestic 
premises include such persons as:
➤
Owners
➤
Leaseholders
➤
Tenants
➤
The major employer occupying the premises.
Under section 4 of the HSWA, persons in control of 
premises have a duty to ensure, as far as is reasonably 
practicable, the safety of:
➤
The 
premises
➤
The means of access and egress and
➤
Equipment or substance provided for use in the 
premises.
The law 
Section/
The duty
 Regulation/ 
 Article
The Health and Safety
7
To take reasonable care of their own health
at Work etc. Act 1974 
 
and safety and of others who may be 
affected by their acts or omissions at work
7
To cooperate with their employer and others 
in the discharge of their legal obligations