3. The management of health and safety at work

This chapter covers the main regulations and accompanying guidance governing health and safety at work, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (Management Regulations). It outlines, and summarises the guidance on, all the requirements of the Management Regulations including undertaking risk assessments. It also explains the regulations covering topics such as the principles of prevention, monitoring, health surveillance, the appointment of safety specialists, procedures for serious and imminent danger, information and training, and how these apply to different types of workers, including temporary, pregnant and young workers.

Key changes and developments

• In line with the government’s Living with Covid plan, the HSE health and safety regulator’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) — Advice for workplaces online guidance says it “no longer requires every business to consider COVID-19 in their risk assessment or to have specific measures in place” (see Chapter 7). The TUC and unions say the guidance conflicts with employers’ legal duties under the Management Regulations;

• Following a challenge by the Maternity Action maternity rights campaign, the HSE has revised its guidance on risk assessments for pregnant workers and new mothers;

• The TUC and Maternity Action charity have published a new toolkit for safety reps and other reps who may be the first point of contact for pregnant workers experiencing problems at work.