Posted By Shane Johnston Full title: Health, safety and welfare in connection with work, and control of dangerous substances and certain emissions into the atmosphere. Shane

Posted By Jonathan Breeze It's in Section 5 if you're really keen.

Posted By John Allen The "etc" comes about because the principal purpose of the Act is to further promote health and safety at work but there are sections in it that do other things not directly connected with this subject. For instance a section of the act takes away the right of inspectors to present their own cases in the Sheriff courts. As has been pointed out Section 5 was about using the best practical means to prevent air pollution from certain undertakings (Incidentally there was a misprint in this section which made it a dead letter from day one) There are various other administrative changes including the setting up of the executive and the commission, and EMAS. A fairly large chunk concerned ammendments to the Building Regs. Incidentally as the Act approaches its 30th Birthday (1st April next year) what price a major reform of legislation and the means of enforcing it? Time for a new principal Act and a new inspectorate?

Posted By Simon Micklewright Thank you everyone Simon

Posted By Adrian Watson As somebody stated the etc in the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 is because part 2 of the act relates to the building in scotland. The 10 line part describing the act is technically called the long title and "the health and safety at work etc act 1974" is the short title. Regards Adrian Watson

Posted By Raymond Rapp Simon et al, Have to agree with Robin in that the Etc indicates it is an enabling piece of legislation. And I quote: '..provides for Regulations to enacted under the Act without recourse to Patliament.' (Morris, 1997) Regards Ray

Posted By Robin V Boughton We live and learn! Robin Boughton. Bachelor of Science (Honours), Chartered Engineer, Member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers, Member of the Institute of Occupational Health and Safety, and Registered Safety Practitioner.

Posted By Jane Blunt Yes, it is an enabling Act, and the 'etc' is not relevant to this, as stated above. The 'enabling' bit comes from Section 15, '.... the Secretary of State shall have power to make regulations......' Section 16 specifies that the HSC may issue Approved Codes of Practice. Jane

Posted By Bill Elliott The Act - Part IV section 85 refers to the short title ie "This Act may be cited as the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 - referring to an abbreviated version of the whole title which is - An Act to make further provision for securing the health, safety and welfare of persons at work, for protecting others against risks to health or safety in connection with the activities of persons at work, for controlling the keeping and use of dangerous substances, and for controlling certain emissions into the atmosphere; to make further provision with respect to the employment medical advisory service ; to amend the law relating to building regulations, and the Building (Scotland) Act 1959; and for connected purposes.

Posted By David J Bristow Simon Adrian says were all wrong -Robin states that’s its an enabling act (we all know that), Jane confirms what’s been posted earlier, because all enabling Acts have the same theme, that regulations can be made under without going through the full parliamentary process, as stated earlier. So what does the Etc mean? Regards David B cycling provisionary badge, 50 meters swimming cert, second class shooting badge -303 rifle

Posted By Ken Taylor I was around at the time. When deciding upon the short title, it was felt that, as it did not only deal with the health and safety of persons at work, it would be better to include the term 'etc'.

Posted By Bill Elliott As others have indicated, L23 is Guidance. From the first few pages - the following may help you: "The Regulations set no specific requirements such as weight limits; Do not regard the guidelines as precise recommendations. Where there is doubt make a more detailed assessment". Appendix 3 gives the familiar diagram showing the "guideline weight" for both women and men taking into account the zones through which a load may travel whilst being lifted/lowered. From the inside front cover - following the guidance is not compulsory and you are free to take other action. But if you do follow the guidance you will normally be doing enough to comply with the Law.