Review of all Approved Codes of Practice

The Löftstedt review recommended that the HSE should review all of its 52 approved codes of practice (ACoPs) and the government agreed. As a result of the review, the HSE has revised, consolidated or withdrawn 15 ACoPs, and made minor revisions (or no changes) to a further 15. The following ACoPs have been revised, consolidated or withdrawn:

• Dangerous substances and explosive atmospheres (ACoPs L134-138) were consolidated into one document – L138;

• Legionella (ACoP L8) was revised;

• Asbestos (ACoPs L127, L143) were consolidated into one document (L143);

• Gas safety (ACoPs L56, COP20): ACoP L56 were revised and ACoP COP20 was withdrawn (L56);

• Hazardous substances (ACoP L5) was revised;

• Workplaces (ACoP L24) was revised;

• Management of health and safety (ACoP L21) was withdrawn and replaced with a “suite” of HSE online guidance (see: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l21.htm): Health and safety made simple: The basics for your business; The health and safety toolbox: How to control risks at work; and Managing for Health and Safety (also known as HSG65).

• Agriculture (ACoP L116) (Preventing accidents to children in agriculture) was withdrawn and replaced with revised guidance;

• Pipelines (ACoP L81) was withdrawn and replaced with guidance (see: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l82.pdf);

• First aid ACoP (L74) was withdrawn and replaced with guidance (see: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l74.pdf); and

• The European Regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures has now fully replaced the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2009 (CHIP 4).

The following ACoPs have been revised and updated:

• Diving (ACoPs L103-107);

• Work equipment (ACoPs L22, L112, L114);

• Lifting equipment (ACoP L113);

• Confined spaces (ACoP L101);

• Pressure systems (ACoP L122);

• Hazardous substances — pottery production (ACoP L60);

• Hazardous substances — lead (ACoP L132); and

• Quarries (ACoP L118);

The ACoP on worker involvement (ACoP L146) remained unchanged.

The changes are set out in the relevant Chapters throughout this booklet.