EU court dismisses safety claim against UK

The case was brought by the European Commission, which argued that the Health and Safety at Work Act - requiring employers to ensure the health and safety of workers only "so far as is reasonably practicable" - did not fully comply with EU rules.

"The court dismisses the Commission's action against the 'reasonably practicable' qualification contained in the United Kingdom legislation on health and safety of workers," the Luxembourg-based European Court of Justice said in a statement.

The ruling will come as a welcome relief to British businesses and the government.

The Commission had accused Britain of allowing an employer to escape responsibility if it could prove that measures to ensure safety of workers were grossly disproportionate in terms of money, time or trouble when balanced against the relevant risk.

"The Court concludes that the Commission has not established in what way the disputed clause, considered in the light of the national case law cited, infringes the provisions of the (EU) directive," the court said.