Why are You Here

1.3 The Law

Page 6. The duties of both the employer and employee towards the provision of safety at work are covered by national laws.

Employers’ basic legal duty: To provide a safe place in which to work and to employ competent people.

Employees’ basic legal duty: To exercise diligence and care whilst undertaking allotted tasks and not to intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety or welfare. Infringement may result in legal action.

The same regulations apply regardless as to whether the danger is gas or dust related.

In the UK, DSEAR (The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations) transposes the requirements of ATEX 137 into UK law and incorporates parts of the EU Chemical Agents Directive. Throughout history disasters have afflicted industry. It is an employer’s duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees and other people who might be affected by their business. Employers must do whatever is reasonably practicable to achieve this. Employers have duties under health and safety law to assess risks in the workplace.