Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

Adapting to technical progress
It is important to take advantage of technological and 
technical progress, which often gives designers 
and employers the chance to improve both safety 
and working methods. With the Internet and other 
international information sources available a very 
wide knowledge, going beyond what is happening in 
the UK or Europe, will be expected by the enfor cing 
authorities and the courts.
6.
 
Replacing the dangerous by the non-dangerous 
or the less dangerous
This involves substituting, for example, equipment 
or substances with non-hazardous or less hazard-
ous substances.
7. 
Developing a coherent overall prevention policy
 
which covers technology, organization of work, 
working conditions, social relationships and the 
infl uence of factors relating to the working 
environment
Health and safety policies should be prepared and 
applied by reference to these principles.
8. 
Giving collective protective measures priority 
over individual protective measures
This means giving priority to control measures 
which make the workplace safe for everyone work-
ing there so giving the greatest benefi t, for example, 
removing hazardous dust by exhaust ventilation 
rather than providing a fi ltering respirator to an indi-
vidual worker. This is sometimes known as a ‘Safe 
Place’ approach to controlling risks.
9. 
Giving appropriate instruction to employees
This involves making sure that employees are fully 
aware of company policy, safety procedures, good 
practice, offi cial guidance, any test results and legal 
requirements. This is sometimes known as a ‘Safe 
Person’ approach to controlling risks where the 
focus is on individuals. A properly set up health and 
safety management system should cover and bal-
ance both a Safe Place and Safe Person approach.