Posted By A. L. Ure Here's a teaser sparked by a discussion going on in my office - can anyone out there give me the earliest possible historical reference to a 'safe system of work' - either statute or common law? The older it is the more Brownie Points it's worth. Thanks - Andrew Ure

Posted By steve williamson God rested on the seventh day to avoid breaching the Working Time Directive. Stevew

Posted By Philip McAleenan The Egyprian pyramid builders were well organised and there are references on the tombs on how they carried out their construction. Have a look at this link http://www.bbc.co.uk/his...yramid_builders_04.shtml

Posted By peter gotch Hi Steven, Think A.L was looking for references specifically to the term 'safe system of work' but lots of legislation similar to requirements and prohibitions in Spinning by Self-Acting Mules Regulations 1905 [which are printed in my 1976 edition of "Redgrave"], but which predate these. For example Section 9(2) of the Factory and Workshop Act 1895 comments "A person employed in a factory shall not be allowed to be in the space between the fixed and traversing portions of a self-acting machiner unless the machine is stopped with the traversing portion on the outward run......" In effect Section 7(1) of the Factory and Workshop Act 1883 required the occupier of a factory to draw up a safe system of work in relation to early occupational health legislation.... "There shall be established......in every white lead factory, such special rules for the guidance of the persons employed therein as may appear best calculated to enforce the use by them of the requirements provided under this Act, and generally to prevent injury to health in the course of their employment". This Act even encouraged a bit of workforce consultation, requiring proposed rules to be posted to enable an employee to object to the chief inspector prior to their coming into effect. You could be fined up to £5 for pulling down or defacing any proposed or in force special rules. All as in my copy of the 1901 edition of "Public Health Acts" which had inflated from 7/6 to 50p when I found it second hand outside a bookshop!!! Regards, Peter

Posted By steven bentham The old F.Acts are the best, none of this modern risk assessment rubbish; I bet the rest of the E.U. is glad it did not actually implement all this modern stuff!!