Legislation

Legislation

1. Equality Act 2010

   • Covers direct and indirect discrimination
   • Covers victimisation/harassment
   • Women have the right to breastfeed in public
   • Prohibits discrimination in education, employment, access to goods and service etc
   • The 9 protected characteristics
     • sex
     • Age
     • disability
     • gender reassignment
     • marriage and civil partnership
     • pregnancy and maternity
     • Religion or belief
     • Sexual orientation
     • race

2. Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

   • The working environment must not put anyone at risk
     • Employers must:
       • Risk assessments
       • Must provide PPE
       • Monitor staff practice
     • Employees must:
       • Must report any hazards
       • Must take care of themselves and others
   • The equipment provided must be safe and in good working order
     • Employers must
       • Provide equipment that is fit for purpose and in good working order
       • Carry out regular safety checks on all equipment
     • Employees must
       • Must not misuse or tamper with equipment
   • Employers must provide adequate health and safety training for staff
     • Employers must
       • Provide regular training
       • Train staff in the use of specialist equipment
       • Provide adequate first aid
     • Employees must
       • Must cooperate with employer by attending training
   • A written health and safety policy should be provided
     • Employers must
       • Provide a health & safety policy with legal requirements
       • Ensure staff are aware of and have access to the policy
       • Display the 'Health and Safety Law' poster in the workplace
     • Employees must
       • Cooperate with the employer by following the health and safety regulations in the workplace
   • Protective equipment, if needed, must be available free of charge to employees
     • Employers must
       • Maintain an adequate supply of PPE
       • Ensure all staff wear the PPE provided
     • Employees must
       • Wear the any protective equipment provided

3. Mental Health Act 2007

   • Impact on service providers
     • Need to be able to make difficult decisions
     • Practitioners must be appropriately qualified
     • Duty of care
     • Must be able to communicate well
   • Provides the authority to take the person to a 'place of safety' for assessment
   • Provides a definition of mental disorder
   • Aims to protect those at risk to themselves or others
   • Gives rights to those with a mental disorder
   • Impact on service users
     • Have the right to an advocate
     • Practitioners must represent the best interests of those with a mental disorder