Protecting workers from violence and abuse at work (November 2024)

Chapter 2

2. The law

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Work-related violence is not explicitly referenced in health and safety law. However, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulator advises that health and safety law applies to risks from work-related violence in the same way as it applies to other risks from work. It points to the following key pieces of relevant legislation:

The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA) places a legal duty on employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of workers. The employer’s duty of care under the Act includes preventing violence at work. In addition, every business must have a policy for managing health and safety.


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