Speed v Swift: CA 1943

Lord Greene MR considered what was meant by system when considering an employer’s duty to provide a safe system of working: ‘I do not venture to suggest a definition of what is meant by system, but it includes, in my opinion, or may include the physical lay-out of the job – the setting of the stage, so to speak – the sequence in which the work is to be carried out, the provision in proper cases of warnings and notices, and the issue of special instructions. A system may be adequate for the whole course of the job or it may have to be modified or improved to meet circumstances which arise. Such modifications or improvements appear to me equally to fall under the head of system.’

Judges:

Lord Greene MR

Citations:

[1943] KB 557

Jurisdiction:

England and Wales

Health and Safety

Updated: 17 June 2022; Ref: scu.272567