Accidents at work cost the NHS some billion pounds every year. Over half of these accidents are due to avoidable slips and falls—the most common cause of claim for compensation faced by the NHS. Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, the NHS as an employer and nurses as employees have a legal obligation to manage health and safety and to ensure that others are not put at risk by work-related activities. The first of a series, this article on health and safety law sets out the duties imposed on NHS organisations and their employees.