In recent years much of Britain's health and safety law

has originated in Europe. Proposals from the European

Commission may be agreed by Member States, who are

then responsible for making them part of their domestic law.

Modern health and safety law in this country, including

much of that from Europe, is based on the principle of risk

assessment described above.

The Health and Safety Commission and its operating arm,

the Executive (HSC/E), have spent over twenty years

modernising the structure of health and safety law. Their

aims are to protect the health, safety and welfare of

employees, and to safeguard others, principally the public,

who may be exposed to risks from work activity.

HSC/E consult fully with people affected by their legislative

proposals, and adopt various approaches based on assessing

and controlling risk (see `What health and safety law requires').

Among the things that can prompt action from HSC/E are:

changes in technologies, industries or risks;

evidence of accidents and ill health, plus public

European Directives.

Where HSC/E consider action is necessary to supplement

existing arrangements, their three main options are:

Approved Codes of Practice; and