Health and safety regulations in the United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom there are many regulations relevant to health, safety and welfare at work. Many of these give effect to European Union directives.

Contents

Regulations made under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

Breach of the regulations is a crime throughout the UK. In England and Wales it is punishable on summary conviction with a fine of up to £400 or, if convicted on indictment in the Crown Court, an offender can be sentenced to an unlimited fine.[1] Either an individual or a corporation can be punished[2] and sentencing practice is published by the Sentencing Guidelines Council.[3]

In England and Wales, where a person suffers damage caused by a breach of the regulations, they have a cause of action in tort against the offender, except where the regulations state otherwise.[4] A similar right of action exists in Scotland through the law of delict.

The "six pack" regulations

Other

A full list of all UK Health & Safety legislation can be found on the HSE website[30]

REACH

Main article: Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals

Registration REACH in the UK is planned for 8 November.[31]

Notes

  1. ^ Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, ss.33(1)(c), 33(3)
  2. ^ Interpretation Act 1978, s.5
  3. ^ "(K) Miscellaneous offences - Health and Safety offences". Guideline Judgements Case Compendium. Sentencing Guidelines Council. 2005. http://www.sentencing-guidelines.gov.uk/guidelines/other/courtappeal/default.asp?T=Cases&catID=11&subject=HEALTH%20AND%20SAFETY%20OFFENCES. Retrieved 2008-03-08. 
  4. ^ Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, s.47
  5. ^ SI 1999/3242
  6. ^ The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
  7. ^ The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
  8. ^ The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
  9. ^ The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
  10. ^ The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992
  11. ^ SI 2002/1689
  12. ^ SI 2002/2677
  13. ^ The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995
  14. ^ SI 1999/257
  15. ^ The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
  16. ^ Statutory Instrument 1998 No. 2307
  17. ^ [1]
  18. ^ Control of Lead at Work Regulations 1997
  19. ^ Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1991
  20. ^ Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005
  21. ^ Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002
  22. ^ Dangerous Substances in Harbour Areas Regulations 1987
  23. ^ Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999
  24. ^ Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977
  25. ^ The Confined Spaces Regulations 1997
  26. ^ The Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989
  27. ^ The Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996
  28. ^ The Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2001
  29. ^ The Work at Height Regulations 2005
  30. ^ HSE Health and Safety legislation
  31. ^ "Defra's statement of forthcoming legislation 2008". Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. March 2008. http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/regulat/pdf/forthcomingleg-update-march2008.pdf. Retrieved 2008-04-03. 

References