Legislation covering particular industries

In addition to the Workplace Regulations, there are a number of regulations that apply to certain types of high-risk workplaces and industries such as mines and quarries, offshore and nuclear installations, construction sites, and the railway industry. These regulations contain specific health, safety and welfare requirements relating to the hazards in those workplaces and industries.

The HSE website contains detailed guidance on the applicable regulations by sector, which can be accessed at: www.hse.gov.uk/guidance/industries.htm.

Other changes arising from the HSE’s review of its ACOPs, as recommended by Löfstedt, include: a new revised Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) and signposting guidance document: Safety in Docks: Approved Code of Practice and guidance (L148), introduced in 2014. The new ACOP replaces the earlier one which has been withdrawn along with the Docks Regulations 1988.

The new ACOP is shorter and helps dutyholders to understand how they can follow the Health and Safety at Work Act etc 1974 and other relevant regulations. There is further guidance for those working in docks, about workplace transport, falls from height and lifting operations. It has been redesigned to help smaller locations as well and includes Safety in Ports guidance sheets, produced by Port Skills and Safety, with support from the Unite general union and the HSE. These sheets cover areas including access and exits, water safety, confined spaces, emergency planning and managing temporary employees. The ACOP is available at: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l148.htm.

Other changes have seen the HSE withdrawing the ACOP Preventing accidents to children in agriculture (L116). Guidance on this area also available on the HSE website at: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg472.htm.

However, the ACOP on Control of substances hazardous to health in the production of pottery (L60) and on Health and safety at quarries (L118) are to undergo only minor revisions by the end of 2014. Details of these ACOPs are available on the HSE website at: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/index-legal-ref.htm.