
1 

(1) This Order may be cited as the Health
and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (Commencement No. 1) Order 1974.
(2) The 
Interpretation Act 1889 shall apply to the
interpretation of this Order as it applies to the interpretation of an Act
of Parliament.
2 
The provisions mentioned in the first column of each of the Schedules
to this Order (which relate to the matters specified in the second column
of each Schedule) shall come into operation—
(a) in the case of the provisions mentioned
in Schedule 1,
on 1st October 1974;
(b) in the case of the provisions mentioned
in Schedule 2,
on 1st January 1975; and
(c) in the case of the provisions mentioned
in Schedule 3,
on 1st April 1975.
Signed by order of the Secretary of State.
Harold Walker
Joint Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
Department of Employment
27th August 1974
SCHEDULE 1
Article 2(a)


Provisions Subject-matter of provisions

Section 1. 
General purposes of Part I
of the Act.

Section 10(1) (so far as it relates to the
Commission). Establishment of Commission.

Section 10(2) to (4) and 
section 10(6) and (7)
(so far as aforesaid). Constitution and
status of Commission.
Section 11(1) to (3) and 
section 11(6) (so far as aforesaid). General functions of Commission.
Section 12.
 Control of Commission by Secretary of
State.

Section 13. 
Other powers of the Commission.

Section 15. 
Health and safety regulations.

Section 16. 
Approval of codes of practice.

Section 29. 
General functions of Agriculture Ministers in relation to the relevant agricultural
purposes.

Section 30. 
Agricultural health and safety regulations.
Section 32
(so far as it relates to the provisions of sections
13 and 16
and the provisions of Schedule 4
mentioned below). Application of provisions
of Part I in connection
with agriculture.

Section 43 (so far as it relates to payments
to the Commission). Financial provisions.


Section 50. 
Regulations.

Section 51. 
Exclusion of domestic employment.

Section 52. 
Meaning of “work” and “at work”.
Section 53
(so far as it relates to provisions mentioned in this Schedule). General interpretation of 
Part I.
Section 77(1).
 Amendment of 
Radiological Protection Act 1970.
Section
80. General
power to repeal or modify Acts and instruments.
Section 81.
 Expenses and receipts.
Section 82.
 General interpretation and regulations.


Section 83(1) (so far as it relates to the
provisions of Schedule 9
mentioned below). Minor amendments of
other enactments.

Section 84. 
Extent and application of Act.

Section 85. 
Short title and commencement.

Schedule 1. 
Existing enactments which are relevant statutory provisions.
Schedule
2, paragraphs 1 to 9 and 
13 to 19. 
Constitution etc. of Commission.

Schedule 3. 
Subject-matter of health and safety regulations.
Schedule 4, paragraphs
1 and 3.
 Modifications of 
Part I in connection with agriculture.
Schedule
9 (paragraph 2
 and paragraph 3
so far as it relates to the Commission). 
Minor amendments of other enactments.
SCHEDULE 2
Article 2(b)


Provisions Subject-matter of provisions

Section 10(1) (so far as it relates to the
Executive). Establishment of Executive.


Section 10(5) and section 10(6)
and (7) (so far as aforesaid).
 Constitution and status of Executive.


Section 11(4) and (5)
and Section 11(6) (so far
as aforesaid). Functions of Executive.


Section 14. 
Power of Commission to direct investigations and inquiries.
Section 17.
 Use of approved codes of practice in
criminal proceedings.
Sections 18 to 20. Enforcing authorities, appointment and powers of
inspectors.
Sections 21 to 23. Improvement and prohibition notices.
Section
24. Appeal
against improvement or prohibition notice.
Section 25.
 Power to deal with cause of imminent
danger.

Section 26. 
Power of enforcing authorities to indemnify their inspectors.
Sections
27 and 28 Obtaining and disclosure of information.
Section
31. Enforcement
of the relevant statutory provisions in connection with agriculture.
Section
32 (except so far as already in operation).
 Application of provisions of 
Part I in connection with agriculture.
Section
33 (except subsection
(1)(a) and (b)).
 Offences and penalties.

Sections 34 to 42. Further provisions as to offences.
Section 43
(except so far as already in operation). 
Financial provisions.

Section 44. 
Appeals in connection with licensing provisions.
Section 45.
 Default powers.
Section 46.
 Service of notices.
Section 47
(except in relation to sections
2 to 8). 
Civil liability.

Section 48 (except in relation to sections 2 to 9). Application to the Crown.
Section 49.
 Adaptation of enactments to metric units.


Section 53 (so far as it relates to provisions
mentioned in this Schedule). General
interpretation of Part I.


Section 54. 
Application to Isles of Scilly.
Sections 55 to 60. Employment Medical Advisory Service.
Section
77(2). 
Amendment of Radiological Protection Act 1970
.

Section 83 (so far as it relates to the provisions
of Schedules 9 and 
10 mentioned below). Minor amendments and repeals of other enactments.
Schedule
2, paragraphs 10 to 12 and 20.
 Constitution etc. of Executive.
Schedule
4 (except so far as already in operation).
 Modifications of 
Part I in connection with agriculture.
Schedule
9, paragraph 1 and paragraph 3
(so far as it relates to the Executive). 
Minor amendments of other enactments.
Schedule 10,
the following repeals:—The 
Employment Medical Advisory Service Act 1972-
sections 1 and 6
and Schedule 1.The National Health
Service (Scotland) Act 1972-in 
Schedule 6, paragraph 157.
The National Health Service
Reorganisation Act 1973-in 
Schedule 4, paragraph 137.
The Employment and Training
Act 1973-in Schedule
3, paragraph 14. Repeals.
SCHEDULE 3
Article 2(c)


Provisions Subject-matter of provisions

Section 2. 
General duties of employers to their employees.
Section 3.
 General duties of employers and self-employed
to persons other than their employees.
Section 4.
 General duties of persons concerned
with premises to persons other than their employees.
Section 5.
 General duty of persons in control of
certain premises in relation to emissions into atmosphere.
Section 6.
 General duties of manufacturers etc.
as regards articles and substances for use at work.
Section 7.
 General duties of employees at work.


Section 8. 
Duty not to interfere with or misuse things provided pursuant to certain provisions.


Section 9. 
Duty not to charge employees for things done or provided pursuant to certain
specific requirements.

Section 33(1)(a) and (b).
 Offences.
Section 47
(except so far as already in operation). 
Civil liability.

Section 48 (except as aforesaid). Application to the Crown.
Section 53
(except as aforesaid). General interpretation
of Part I.
Section
78. Amendment
of Fire Precautions Act 1971
.

Section 79. 
Amendment of Companies Acts as to directors' reports.
Schedule 8.
 Transitional provisions with respect
to fire certificates.