Employment implications of health and safety laws

Updating author: Howard Fidderman

Brightmine editor: Laura Merrylees

Summary

• Most contracts of employment contain both express and implied terms relating to health and safety. (See Contractual health and safety terms)
• Employees, and in some cases workers, have the right not to be subjected to a detriment on prescribed health and safety grounds. (See Protection against detriment)
• It is automatically unfair to dismiss an employee for certain health and safety reasons. (See Protection against automatic unfair dismissal)
• There sometimes appears to be conflict between health and safety and anti-discrimination legislation. (See Health and safety and anti-discrimination legislation)
• If a workplace is closed because of specified health and safety reasons employees may qualify for medical suspension pay. (See Medical suspension pay)