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What Are Approved Codes Of Practice

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Task 1 Discuss the use of approved codes of practice to ensure compliance with health and safety legislation (P1) Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs)  Codes of Practice give detailed practical guidance on how to comply with requirements and obligations under work health and safety laws. They are used in addition to the Act and Regulations and should always be followed, unless there is another solution which achieves the same or a better standard of health and safety in your workplace  Approved Codes of Practice can supplement Acts and Regulations; failure to comply with Approved Codes of Practice is not an offence in itself if compliance can be achieved by some equally good practice.  Approved codes of practice do not necessarily provide the only way of complying with the Act, they offer an accepted way. They form part of the current state of knowledge that must be taken into account when taking 'all …show more content…

Approved codes are, therefore, admissible in court by either the prosecution or defenses as evidence of good practice - but the reliance placed on them is a matter of discretion for the judge. Legislation  Legislation the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASWA) covers all employment activities apart from domestic premises. The Act is known as an ‘enabling Act’, which means that other legislation can be made under it. The framework of legislation is based on Acts of Parliament being passed and Codes of Practice and Guidance being made under these to explain, in greater detail, the requirements of the Act itself.  The Health and Safety in Employment Act does not specify how particular hazards should be made safe, rather it allows for workplaces to find alternative ways ensure that their hazards do not cause harm. The practices contained in approved codes of practice are recommended are acceptable ways to prevent harming in particular situations.

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