They apply to all businesses no matter how small, to the self-employed and also employees.

so far as reasonably practicable ensure the health, safety and welfare of your employees as well as anyone else affected by your work

carry out a risk assessment of the Health & Safety risks to employees and others

effectively plan, organise, control, monitor and review your Health & Safety measures

appoint someone ‘competent’ to make sure you comply with Health & Safety law. They must have ‘sufficient training and experience or knowledge or other qualities’

provide employees with clear Health & Safety information and training including the risks and steps you’ve taken to control them

prepare (if five or more employees) a written Health & Safety policy. It must describe your arrangements and be regularly reviewed.
You must bring it to the attention of employees

for their own Health & Safety

not to put others at risk by what they do or don’t do at work. This covers the same wide public group employers must protect

co-operate to help meet Health & Safety obligations

using equipment or substances in line with the training or instruction given

alerting employers of serious or imminent danger

reporting shortcomings in their employer’s Health & Safety arrangements

environmental health officers generally deal with offices, shops, hotels, catering, and leisure activities

HSE inspectors cover activities such as factories, farms and building sites

Large (turnover £50m+) – fines from £10k to £10 million

Medium (turnover £10m – £50m) – fines from £3k to £4 million

Small (turnover £2m – 10m) – fines from £700 – £1.6 million

Micro (turnover <£2m) – fines from £200 to £450k