An employer has an obligation at common law to provide employees with a safe place of work.
In addition, there are certain specific statutory obligations imposed by legislation such as:
- The Factories and Machinery Act 1967, which contains specific provisions relating to the proper control and maintenance of ‘factories’, the definition of which is quite broad. The Act contains provisions regarding the health, safety and welfare of workers at such factories.
- The Occupational Safety & Health Act 1994, which is intended to secure the safety and health of persons at work (both employees and self-employed), protect against hazards, promote a healthy working environment and provide a means of creating subordinate regulations dealing with OH&S. The Act only applies to particular industries as specified in the Act, including manufacturing, mining and quarrying, construction, wholesale and retail trade, finance, business services and public services.