📘 Easy Read: Introduction to Health, Safety, and Wellbeing

 

🧾 What is Health and Safety?

• Health and safety are about keeping yourself and others safe at work, school, or in the community.

• Every workplace should have a health and safety policy (a written plan of rules and guidance).

• These rules must be kept up to date by managers or leaders.

⚖️ Why is Health and Safety Important?

• To stop accidents and injuries.

• To protect people’s physical and mental health.

• To make sure everyone is treated fairly and safely, including people with:

  • Disabilities

  • Mental health conditions

  • Special needs

  • Learning difficulties

  • Long-term health conditions

🌍 Different Countries, Different Laws

• In the UK, laws include the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Equality Act 2010.

• In the USA, laws include the Occupational Safety and Health Act (1970) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

• These laws protect people’s rights, safety, and wellbeing.

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📝 Quiz: Health and Safety Basics

Q1. What does “health and safety” mean?
a) Only physical health
b) Keeping yourself and others safe
c) Rules only for managers

Q2. Why do workplaces need health and safety policies?
a) To keep people safe and prevent harm
b) To make work boring
c) To punish workers

Q3. In the UK, which law helps protect workers?
a) Equality Act 2010
b) Freedom of Information Act
c) Privacy Act 1974

Q4. In the USA, which law protects people with disabilities?
a) Human Rights Act 1998
b) Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
c) Data Protection Act 2018

Q5. Who is responsible for checking that health and safety rules are up to date?
a) Only workers
b) Managers and leaders
c) No one