The basics......

Primary Employers Responsibilities and Duties
(The Short Version)

Employers must

• Appoint a competent person or persons to advise on health and safety – Health and Safety Adviser  
• Have a Health And Safety Management System (Health and Safety Policy and Arrangements)
• Carry out health and safety risk assessments for all their activities
• Implement control measures to protect employees and others from the risks created by the employers activities
• Appoint competent persons to assist with implementing control measures.
• Provide a safe place of work and safe access to the workplace
• Provide a safe system of work
• Provide and maintain safe equipment
• Control hazardous substances
• Protect employees and others from hazards and risks in premises and facilities
• Design and manufacture so there is no risk to the end user
• Keep records of health and safety policy and arrangements and risk assessments

The above responsibilities are a brief summary for further explanation see below. 
The management of health and safety can appear a daunting task, however, there are a number of simple steps that can be taken which can help ensure that an organisation is properly managing its health and safety.