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What Are the Health and Safety Principles of Prevention?

February 2025

 

Under Regulation 4 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employers are mandated to ensure that proposed risk control measures are in accordance with the principles of prevention it has set out.

These are 8 guiding principles that should be at the heart of every single organisation's health and safety plan, and employers must be aware of them in order to remain compliant.


Why Are the Principles of Prevention Important?

Implementing robust health and safety measures that follow the principles of prevention is not only a legal obligation. It also offers a strong strategic advantage for businesses. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides compelling data that underscores the importance of adhering to the Principles of Prevention.

Workplace injuries and ill health have significant economic repercussions. In 2023/24, there were 1.7 million workers suffering from work-related ill health, leading to substantial productivity losses. They also reported 138 fatal work-related injuries, a slight increase from the previous year. Additionally, there were 561,000 non-fatal injuries, highlighting the persistent risks present in workplaces. 

Adhering to the Principles of Prevention offers numerous advantages:

  • Reduced Costs: Effective safety measures can lead to lower insurance premiums and reduced costs associated with accidents and illnesses. 
  • Lower Employee Absence and Turnover Rates: A safe work environment contributes to higher employee satisfaction, resulting in decreased absenteeism and turnover.
  • Improved Reputation: Companies known for prioritising health and safety are more likely to attract and retain clients, partners, and top talent.

 

What Are the 8 Principles of Prevention?

Any risk control measures that are proposed as a result of a risk assessment should be in accordance with the principles of prevention outlined below.

If you need to get yourself started with a risk assessment, you can download our free template and guide, perfect for all industries and professions.

Avoid Risks

The most effective way to manage a risk is to eliminate it entirely. This can be achieved by altering work processes or substituting hazardous materials with safer alternatives. For instance, if a particular chemical poses health risks, replacing it with a non-hazardous substance removes the associated danger.

Avoiding risks should always be the first consideration, ensuring that new hazards are not introduced when eliminating existing ones.

What Are the Biggest Risks in the Workplace?

The 5 most common safety risks in workplaces are as follows:

  • Slips, trips and falls.
  • Handling, lifting or carrying.
  • Hit by a moving object.
  • Violence.
  • Falls from height.

To find out 5 more safety risks in workplaces and how to prevent them, you can read about the top 10 safety risks and download a free leaflet.

Evaluate Risks Which Cannot Be Avoided

When certain risks are inherent and unavoidable, you should ensure they are thoroughly analysed in your risk assessment. In order to achieve this thorough analysis, you must:

  • Identify potential hazards.
  • Determine who might be harmed and how.
  • Evaluate the likelihood and severity of risks.
  • Implement control measures based on the level of risk.

To keep your risk assessment compliant and relevant, you must consistently review and update it, especially when work processes change or new equipment is introduced.

Combat Risks at the Source

Risks should be tackled at source, rather than taking measures to deal with the consequences. Prevention is better than cure, or prevention is better than protection is better than mitigation. Health and safety should never be used as an excuse to not complete tasks, but you should always strive to have the highest degree of control measures that are considered reasonably practicable.

For example, if steps are slippery, treating or replacing them is better than displaying a warning sign.

Adapt Work to the Individual

Employers must recognise that each employee has unique needs. Workplaces should accommodate differences in physical capabilities, ergonomic requirements and cognitive capacities.

Affected individuals should be consulted when:

  • Designing workplaces.
  • Selecting work and personal protective equipment.
  • Drawing up working and safety procedures.

Monotonous work should be avoided where possible, and individuals should be given control over the work for which they are responsible. Monotonous work could cause lapses in concentration, increasing the likelihood of human errors.

Adapt to Technical Progress

More and more, we are seeing emerging technologies advance health and safety practices and create new opportunities. Employers should stay informed about the latest developments in:

  • Safety equipment.
  • Machinery with built-in protective features.
  • Real-time monitoring systems for hazardous conditions.

Technological and technical advances often afford opportunities for improving working methods and making them safer. One of the primary ways to keep yourself informed on safety matters and developments is by signing up for our newsletter.

Develop a Coherent Overall Prevention Policy

Develop and implement a coherent policy to progressively reduce those risks that cannot be prevented or avoided altogether, taking account of the way work is organised, the working conditions, the environment and any relevant social factors.

By taking a holistic approach, employers can systematically reduce risks and foster a culture of safety. Regular training, clear communication, and continuous improvement are key components of such a policy.

Give Collective Measures Priority Over Individual Protective Measures

Give priority to measures which protect the whole workplace and everyone who works there and so give the greatest benefit (i.e. give collective protective measures priority over individual measures). For example:

  • Installing guardrails around hazardous areas is a better solution than expecting employees to avoid the area.
  • Providing proper ventilation in a workspace is more effective than requiring workers to wear respirators.

Collective measures ensure a consistent level of safety for everyone in the workplace.

Give Appropriate Instructions

Ensure that workers understand what they need to do to help keep themselves and their colleagues safe. You should:

  • Provide clear instructions.
  • Conduct comprehensive training.
  • Offer ongoing supervision and support.

Employees should be aware of the risks associated with their work and the measures in place to mitigate them. Regular drills, refresher courses, and open communication encourage a safety-conscious work culture.


What Other Health and Safety Laws and Regulations Do Employers Need to Know?

By diligently applying the Principles of Prevention, employers can create a safer work environment, reduce the likelihood of accidents and promote employee well-being.

As an employer, you need to understand the primary pieces of legislation that impact your workplace. The two primary pieces of legislation for health and safety in the UK are the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

For employees to understand these legal requirements, they need to undertake appropriate training. Organisations use our IOSH Managing Safely course to achieve this and build a more positive culture of safety. The course is available in a variety of different learning formats, such as:

  • Online
  • Virtual
  • Classroom
  • On-Site

We offer these methods to cater to different learning styles, schedules and needs. This means you can learn, where, when and however you wish. Head over to the course page, below, to try our free demo, view the syllabus and read the most frequently asked questions about the course.




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