The health and safety agenda

European Community (EC) directives are effecting significant changes in UK health and safety law. Directives under Article 118A of the Single European Act already adopted by the EC include those pertaining to harmful elements and work activities, hazardous preparations, worker protection from cancer-causing agents, and equipment and minimum workplace standards. Current UK occupational health and safety regulations do not contain provisions for some of these requirements. Aligning UK laws with EC directives therefore necessitates the introduction of new laws as well as the modification of the the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations of 1977. New laws are expected to place additional burden on employers, such as providing additional employee training, undertaking risk evaluations, and engaging the services of experts for the planning of health and safety measures.