Reflecting on 50 Years of Health and Safety

In my mid-20s, I entered the world of health and safety (after leaving my career as an accountant).  While studying for the NEBOSH certificate, I remember learning the importance of Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 (the Act),  and learning sections by rote. At the time, I realised how much this single act of parliament has had such an impact on the United Kingdom (UK) and Europe; but it was only much later that I appreciated the significance this would have worldwide.  

In the fifty years since the inception of the Act, the landscape of workplace safety has undergone many changes. This milestone marks a significant period of progress and evolution in ensuring the well-being of employees across diverse industries.

Setting the Scene – Historical Context

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 was a landmark piece of legislation that fundamentally altered the approach to workplace safety in the UK and beyond.  Its introduction brought about significant improvements that began to shape the occupational safety and health (OSH) profession and beyond. 

Before its enactment, there was a fragmented and inconsistent legal framework governing only small aspects of the health, safety and welfare practices. The Act represented a paradigm shift, establishing a legal foundation for employers to prioritise their employees’ health, safety, and welfare.

Following the Aberfan disaster (1966), which killed 116 children and 28 adults, the Robens’ Committee reviewed and made recommendations on the state of health and safety legislation. The committee’s work culminated in the publication of the Robens’ Report in 1972, which proposed a radical overhaul of existing legislation.

Lord Robens advocated for a more flexible and goal-setting approach to health and safety regulation, emphasising the importance of employer self-regulation. Previous UK safety legislation was prescriptive in nature. The recommendations outlined in the Robens’ Report laid the groundwork for the Act. This fundamental change advocated a new approach to safety, stressing that the risk creators be the risk owners, a risk-based rather than prescriptive approach be taken, and worker and manager collaboration. It sowed the seeds for the UK to develop a safety culture that is admired and envied by much of the world. Many countries have borrowed aspects of the Act into their own legislation, which I have experienced first-hand, teaching the NEBOSH International General Certificate in countries such as Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. 

Reminiscing on some of my adventures as I write this, I remember often saying, in jest, that health and safety is the UK’s best export.
The Act consolidated and streamlined existing health and safety legislation, establishing a comprehensive framework for managing health and safety in the workplace. This goal-setting approach provided more flexibility in the way compliance may be achieved, allowing it to be related to actual hazards/risks that can apply to various workplaces.  As it celebrates its 50^th birthday, it has shown the test of time.

Key Provisions and Milestones

The Act introduced several key provisions that have since become the cornerstones of health and safety management. These include employers’ duty to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of their employees and employees’ responsibility to cooperate with their employers on these matters. Additionally, the Act established the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to oversee and enforce compliance with health and safety regulations.

Over the past five decades, numerous milestones have further shaped and refined health and safety standards. One of the remarkable aspects of the evolution of health and safety since 1974 is the integration of technological advancements. The workplace has witnessed a technological revolution, with innovations such as automation, artificial intelligence (AI), advanced monitoring systems, and the use of drones, becoming integral to various industries. These technologies have not only enhanced productivity but have also contributed significantly to ensuring a safer work environment.

Final Thoughts

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 has undeniably been a cornerstone in shaping the workplace over the past 50 years here in the UK and beyond, in addition to helping evolve the OSH profession.

During the last 25 years, I have referred to the Act countless times with clients and students both in the UK and internationally.  

Having looked back on this milestone event in the Health and Safety calendar, it is great to see that improvements have been made not just in the UK but overseas as well as a result of the Act being implemented. There is still a long way to go in anticipating and addressing emerging risks, and the evolving workplace dynamics but we have come a long way so far and I look forward to seeing the evolution of the Act even further over the next 50 years.

Dr Jonathan Backhouse BA(Hons) MA MRes DipNEBOSH EnvDipNEBOSH MIFireE CFIOSH FHEA is a highly qualified and experienced Health & Safety tutor and practitioner.