This paper is designed to illustrate the general scope of the laws covering health and safety at work and it will help the audience to comply with the law. It will be of particular value to anyone starting up a new organisation, managing a small work unit or preparing a safety policy for a company. Whatever kind of business you run there will be risks to health and safety. The first step towards controlling those risks is to recognise them.

This paper will help by giving practical guidance on how to identify work hazards, assess the risks to employees and others and plan the actions needed to reduce or eliminate risk. It will not make you an expert in occupational health and safety but it will help you decide whether you need further information or specialist assistance.

The paper will not give definitive legal advice for all situations: references to particular laws are there as examples of general points. There may be other standards required by specific legislation applying to particular business.

A Workshop will be held on Day Three where individuals can discuss specific cases.