LRD guides and handbook July 2019

Health and safety law 2019

Even if there is a no-deal Brexit, existing EU-derived health and safety laws and regulations will remain part of UK law under the European Union Withdrawal Act. But they will be vulnerable to downgrading post-Brexit if there is no deal with the EU to secure ongoing compliance. Given this situation, the role of union workplace safety reps is vital to make sure that employers continue to comply with hard-won health and safety protections. Health and Safety Law 2019 covers developments which have taken place at European-level over the last year and highlights union concerns about the weakening of health and safety protections post-Brexit. It also covers all the latest developments in UK health and safety law including changes to statutory regulations and new case law.

Introduction

Introduction [pages 8-11] (880 words)

This latest edition of the Labour Research Department’s annual guide to health and safety law is being published at a time of great political ...
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Chapter 1

1. The structure of health and safety law [ch 1: page 11] (165 words)

Key changes and developments since last year ...
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Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 [ch 1: pages 11-15] (1,758 words)

The Civil Liability Act 2018 and the increase in the small claims track limit [ch 1: pages 15-16] (128 words)

The European Union, UK health and safety law and Brexit [ch 1: pages 16-17] (647 words)

Regulations, Approved Codes of Practice and guidance [ch 1: pages 17-18] (346 words)

Directors’ duties [ch 1: pages 18-19] (731 words)

Common law and statute law [ch 1: page 20] (364 words)

Examples of recent successful personal injury claims [ch 1: pages 20-21] (364 words)

Health and safety reviews under the coalition government 2010-2015 [ch 1: page 21] (52 words)

The Young review [ch 1: pages 21-22] (346 words)

The Löfstedt review [ch 1: pages 22-23] (359 words)

Chapter 2

2. The health and safety inspection and enforcement regime [ch 2: page 24] (157 words)

Key changes and developments since last year ...
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Enforcement agencies and regulators [ch 2: pages 24-26] (640 words)

The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority [ch 2: pages 26-27] (156 words)

New Joint Regulators’ Group for fire safety in buildings [ch 2: page 27] (319 words)

Inspections [ch 2: pages 27-29] (648 words)

National Enforcement Code [ch 2: page 29] (173 words)

Targeted enforcement [ch 2: page 29] (108 words)

Growth duty for non-economic regulators [ch 2: page 30] (274 words)

The Regulators’ Code [ch 2: page 30] (102 words)

Paying for enforcement — fee for intervention [ch 2: pages 30-31] (554 words)

Penalties — notices and fines [ch 2: page 32] (316 words)

Sentencing guidelines [ch 2: pages 32-35] (1,333 words)

HSE Enforcement Policy Statement [ch 2: pages 35-36] (261 words)

Investigating work-related deaths [ch 2: pages 36-37] (299 words)

Corporate manslaughter [ch 2: pages 37-39] (1,030 words)

New Sentencing Council guidelines for gross negligence manslaughter [ch 2: pages 39-40] (276 words)

Hillsborough [ch 2: page 40] (189 words)

Grenfell Tower fire [ch 2: page 40] (130 words)

Crown immunity [ch 2: page 41] (228 words)

Culpable homicide bill in Scotland [ch 2: page 41] (161 words)

Chapter 3

3. The management of health and safety at work [ch 3: page 42] (123 words)

Key changes and developments since last year ...
Open access

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 [ch 3: page 42] (78 words)

Risk assessments [ch 3: pages 42-45] (1,142 words)

The principles of prevention [ch 3: page 45] (136 words)

Health and safety arrangements [ch 3: page 45] (59 words)

Health surveillance [ch 3: page 46] (124 words)

Appointment of safety specialists [ch 3: page 46] (69 words)

Procedures for serious and imminent danger [ch 3: page 46] (212 words)

Information and training [ch 3: page 47] (416 words)

Co-operation and co-ordination [ch 3: page 48] (47 words)

Temporary workers [ch 3: page 48] (85 words)

New and expectant mothers [ch 3: pages 48-49] (338 words)

Workplace hazards for pregnant and breastfeeding women [ch 3: pages 49-50] (527 words)

Health, safety and pregnancy and maternity case law [ch 3: pages 50-52] (1,001 words)

Pregnant agency workers [ch 3: pages 52-53] (118 words)

Pregnancy and night work [ch 3: page 53] (50 words)

Revised HSE guidance [ch 3: page 53] (114 words)

MPs’ inquiry into pregnancy and maternity discrimination [ch 3: pages 53-54] (355 words)

New TUC and Maternity Action guide [ch 3: page 54] (237 words)

Young workers [ch 3: pages 55-56] (366 words)

HSE Guidance on the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations [ch 3: page 56] (161 words)

Chapter 4

4. Safety reps, safety committees and taking action [ch 4: page 57] (127 words)

Key changes and developments since last year ...
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The Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977 [ch 4: pages 57-58] (409 words)

Going beyond the legal minimum [ch 4: pages 58-59] (467 words)

Trade Union Act 2016 — threat to trade union facility time [ch 4: pages 59-60] (517 words)

Appointing safety reps [ch 4: pages 60-61] (401 words)

Safety reps’ functions [ch 4: page 61] (106 words)

Consultation [ch 4: pages 61-62] (266 words)

Facilities for safety reps [ch 4: page 62] (146 words)

Safety reps’ legal rights to paid time off [ch 4: page 63] (278 words)

Case law on time off for safety reps [ch 4: pages 63-64] (759 words)

Right to information [ch 4: page 65] (225 words)

Safety committees [ch 4: page 65] (141 words)

Enforcement of the Safety Reps and Safety Committees Regulations [ch 4: page 66] (121 words)

Safety reps reporting of problems to the HSE [ch 4: pages 66-67] (289 words)

Consultation where there is no union recognition [ch 4: page 67] (127 words)

Safety reps representing all staff [ch 4: page 67] (127 words)

Scope of employer’s obligation to consult [ch 4: page 67] (100 words)

The need for stronger regulations [ch 4: page 68] (238 words)

Legal protection for those taking action on safety [ch 4: pages 68-70] (858 words)

Reinstatement [ch 4: page 70] (325 words)

Compensation [ch 4: page 71] (72 words)

Whistleblowing — the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 [ch 4: pages 71-74] (1,661 words)

The Francis report [ch 4: page 74] (108 words)

Interim relief [ch 4: page 75] (298 words)

Changes to the tribunal system [ch 4: page 75] (55 words)

Employment tribunal fees abolished [ch 4: pages 75-76] (250 words)

Acas early conciliation [ch 4: page 76] (252 words)

Tribunal reform proposals [ch 4: page 77] (119 words)

Blacklisting [ch 4: pages 77-78] (649 words)

Victory for blacklisted workers but fight goes on [ch 4: pages 78-79] (440 words)

Chapter 5

5. The workplace and the working environment [ch 5: page 80] (194 words)

Key changes and developments since last year ...
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Regulation of minimum workplace standards [ch 5: pages 80-81] (225 words)

Stability and solidity [ch 5: page 81] (76 words)

Maintenance [ch 5: page 81] (57 words)

Ventilation [ch 5: page 81] (135 words)

Temperature [ch 5: pages 81-82] (280 words)

Campaign for legally enforceable maximum temperature [ch 5: pages 82-83] (339 words)

Lighting [ch 5: page 83] (121 words)

Cleanliness [ch 5: page 83] (35 words)

Space [ch 5: page 83] (147 words)

Workstations and seating [ch 5: pages 83-84] (97 words)

Condition of floors [ch 5: page 84] (74 words)

Falls or falling objects [ch 5: page 84] (60 words)

Transparent surfaces and windows [ch 5: page 84] (66 words)

Doors and gates [ch 5: page 84] (71 words)

Organisation of traffic routes [ch 5: pages 84-85] (72 words)

Escalators and moving walkways [ch 5: page 85] (31 words)

Sanitary, washing and drinking facilities [ch 5: pages 85-86] (473 words)

Clothing and changing [ch 5: page 86] (241 words)

Rest and eating facilities [ch 5: pages 86-87] (167 words)

Disabled workers [ch 5: page 87] (60 words)

Pregnancy and breastfeeding [ch 5: page 87] (317 words)

Smoking [ch 5: pages 88-90] (1,321 words)

Driving at work [ch 5: pages 90-91] (557 words)

Mobile phones and driving [ch 5: pages 91-92] (397 words)

Drug-driving limits [ch 5: pages 92-93] (515 words)

New drug-driving laws in Scotland [ch 5: page 93] (162 words)

Driving standards for vision, diabetes and epilepsy [ch 5: pages 94-95] (302 words)

Legislation covering particular industries [ch 5: page 95] (114 words)

Construction [ch 5: pages 95-96] (406 words)

Mines [ch 5: pages 96-97] (119 words)

Offshore [ch 5: page 97] (324 words)

Chapter 6

6. Hazardous substances [ch 6: page 98] (274 words)

Key changes and developments since last year ...
Subscribers only

Control of substances hazardous to health [ch 6: pages 98-101] (1,283 words)

Carcinogens and mutagens [ch 6: pages 101-102] (197 words)

EU action on carcinogens [ch 6: pages 102-103] (383 words)

Diesel Engine Exhaust Emissions (DEEEs) [ch 6: pages 103-105] (1,020 words)

Asthma [ch 6: page 105] (177 words)

Dust [ch 6: pages 105-106] (295 words)

Legionnaires’ disease [ch 6: pages 106-107] (301 words)

Needlestick or sharps injuries [ch 6: page 107] (159 words)

Dermatitis and other skin conditions [ch 6: pages 107-108] (491 words)

Latex allergy [ch 6: page 109] (144 words)

Toxic cabin air [ch 6: page 109] (210 words)

Chemicals information and packaging [ch 6: pages 109-110] (248 words)

European chemicals strategy (REACH) [ch 6: pages 110-111] (468 words)

Safety data sheets [ch 6: page 111] (216 words)

Major accident hazards [ch 6: pages 112-113] (529 words)

Dangerous substances and explosive atmospheres [ch 6: pages 113-114] (549 words)

Asbestos [ch 6: pages 114-115] (446 words)

Controlling risks from asbestos [ch 6: page 115] (219 words)

The duty to manage asbestos [ch 6: pages 115-116] (344 words)

Compensation for asbestos-related diseases [ch 6: pages 116-118] (671 words)

Pleural plaques [ch 6: page 118] (164 words)

Lead [ch 6: pages 118-120] (704 words)

Transport of dangerous goods [ch 6: page 120] (132 words)

Genetically modified organisms [ch 6: pages 120-121] (297 words)

Pesticides [ch 6: page 121] (278 words)

Glyphosate [ch 6: page 122] (321 words)

Chapter 7

7. Equipment and clothing at work [ch 7: page 123] (55 words)

Key changes and developments since last year ...
Open access

Display screen equipment [ch 7: pages 123-125] (958 words)

Breaks for DSE users [ch 7: pages 125-126] (261 words)

Rest breaks and monotonous work [ch 7: page 126] (96 words)

Machinery and other equipment [ch 7: pages 126-128] (1,073 words)

Lifting operations and equipment [ch 7: page 128] (182 words)

Work at height [ch 7: pages 129-130] (676 words)

Personal protective equipment [ch 7: pages 130-132] (809 words)

Agency workers and PPE [ch 7: page 132] (184 words)

TUC footwear guidance [ch 7: page 133] (56 words)

Changes to head protection rules — turbans [ch 7: page 133] (87 words)

CE marking [ch 7: page 133] (77 words)

Women’s PPE [ch 7: pages 133-134] (260 words)

Discriminatory dress codes [ch 7: page 134] (385 words)

Chapter 8

8. Physical hazards at work [ch 8: page 135] (244 words)

Key changes and developments since last year ...
Open access

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations [ch 8: pages 135-136] (492 words)

Manual handling case law [ch 8: pages 136-137] (206 words)

Consultation with safety reps [ch 8: page 136] (166 words)

Manual handling tools [ch 8: pages 137-139] (768 words)

Protection under the Equality Act 2010 [ch 8: pages 139-140] (366 words)

Fire [ch 8: pages 140-141] (744 words)

Regulatory Reform Order [ch 8: pages 141-142] (253 words)

General fire precautions [ch 8: page 142] (185 words)

Risk assessment [ch 8: page 142] (86 words)

Preventive and protection measures [ch 8: pages 142-143] (407 words)

Information and training [ch 8: pages 143-144] (150 words)

Enforcement [ch 8: page 144] (173 words)

Noise [ch 8: pages 144-145] (150 words)

Noise levels [ch 8: page 145] (328 words)

Risk assessment [ch 8: pages 145-146] (294 words)

Controlling noise [ch 8: pages 146-147] (231 words)

Hearing protection [ch 8: page 147] (286 words)

Information and training [ch 8: page 148] (199 words)

Compensation for hearing loss [ch 8: page 148] (107 words)

Acoustic shock [ch 8: pages 148-150] (621 words)

Voice damage [ch 8: page 150] (124 words)

Vibration [ch 8: pages 150-151] (541 words)

Radiation [ch 8: pages 151-155] (1,600 words)

New Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2019 [ch 8: page 155] (188 words)

Electromagnetic fields [ch 8: pages 156-158] (1,051 words)

Optical radiation [ch 8: pages 158-159] (425 words)

Electricity [ch 8: pages 159-160] (613 words)

Portable appliance testing [ch 8: pages 160-161] (119 words)

Gas [ch 8: pages 161-162] (444 words)

Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) [ch 8: page 162] (215 words)

Confined spaces [ch 8: page 162] (106 words)

Pressure systems [ch 8: page 162] (103 words)

Work in compressed air [ch 8: page 163] (106 words)

Chapter 9

9. Hours of work [ch 9: page 164] (225 words)

Key changes and developments since last year ...
Open access

The Working Time Directive [ch 9: page 164] (121 words)

What is working time? [ch 9: page 165] (486 words)

Time spent on-call [ch 9: pages 166-167] (605 words)

Recording working time [ch 9: page 167] (79 words)

Unmeasured time [ch 9: page 167] (61 words)

Who is covered by the Working Time Regulations (WTR) [ch 9: pages 167-168] (224 words)

Mobile workers [ch 9: page 168] (305 words)

Drivers’ working hours [ch 9: pages 168-169] (236 words)

Exclusions from the WTR [ch 9: pages 169-170] (661 words)

Collective action on working time [ch 9: pages 170-171] (177 words)

Children [ch 9: page 171] (194 words)

The maximum working week [ch 9: page 171] (118 words)

The UK’s 48-hour opt-out [ch 9: pages 171-172] (309 words)

Work Your Proper Hours Day [ch 9: page 172] (140 words)

A claim of work-related stress [ch 9: pages 172-173] (370 words)

Young workers [ch 9: page 173] (105 words)

Night and shift work [ch 9: pages 173-175] (745 words)

Night worker health assessments [ch 9: page 175] (179 words)

Daily rest [ch 9: page 175] (36 words)

Weekly rest [ch 9: page 175] (74 words)

Rest breaks [ch 9: pages 175-176] (320 words)

Compensatory rest [ch 9: pages 176-177] (372 words)

Holidays and holiday pay [ch 9: pages 177-178] (386 words)

Holiday entitlement [ch 9: page 178] (153 words)

Payment for holidays [ch 9: pages 178-180] (951 words)

Timing of holidays [ch 9: pages 180-181] (219 words)

Offshore oil workers [ch 9: page 181] (162 words)

Carrying unused leave forward [ch 9: pages 181-182] (397 words)

Sick leave and holiday [ch 9: pages 182-183] (499 words)

Claiming holiday pay in the employment tribunal [ch 9: pages 183-184] (405 words)

Bank holidays [ch 9: page 184] (48 words)

Agency workers’ enhanced rights [ch 9: page 184] (179 words)

Part-time workers [ch 9: pages 184-185] (136 words)

WTR and collective and workforce agreements [ch 9: page 185] (58 words)

Enforcement of the WTR [ch 9: page 185] (103 words)

Protection against detrimental treatment [ch 9: page 185] (46 words)

Compensation for injury to feelings [ch 9: page 185] (142 words)

The Working Time Regulations and Brexit [ch 9: page 186] (272 words)

Chapter 10

10. Reporting and recording, protection of information and occupational health [ch 10: page 187] (99 words)

Key changes and developments since last year ...
Open access

Recording and reporting accidents [ch 10: page 187] (136 words)

What is reportable under RIDDOR? [ch 10: pages 187-190] (1,093 words)

Statistics on death and injury [ch 10: pages 190-191] (408 words)

The whole story report [ch 10: page 191] (339 words)

The accident book [ch 10: page 192] (174 words)

Accident investigation [ch 10: page 192] (217 words)

Protecting health information [ch 10: pages 193-194] (450 words)

TUC advice for safety reps on GDPR [ch 10: page 194] (331 words)

Ban on pre-employment health checks [ch 10: pages 194-195] (139 words)

First aid [ch 10: page 195] (28 words)

What the First Aid Regulations require [ch 10: pages 195-196] (651 words)

First aid training [ch 10: pages 196-197] (155 words)

Guidance on the First Aid Regulations [ch 10: pages 197-198] (428 words)

Occupational health [ch 10: page 198] (99 words)

Fit for Work [ch 10: page 198] (213 words)

Fit notes [ch 10: pages 198-199] (461 words)

Returning to work after long-term absence [ch 10: pages 199-200] (167 words)

Chapter 11

11. Stress, bullying, harassment and violence [ch 11: page 201] (304 words)

Key changes and developments since last year ...
Subscribers only

General duties [ch 11: pages 201-202] (126 words)

Stress [ch 11: page 202] (133 words)

TUC/HSE guidance on tackling stress [ch 11: pages 202-203] (523 words)

Lack of enforcement [ch 11: page 203] (136 words)

Seeking redress for work-related stress [ch 11: pages 203-205] (620 words)

Providing a counselling service [ch 11: page 205] (72 words)

Exceeding the 48-hour week [ch 11: page 205] (59 words)

Mental health at work and discrimination [ch 11: pages 205-206] (576 words)

Bullying and harassment [ch 11: pages 206-207] (391 words)

Common law protection [ch 11: page 207] (97 words)

Protection under the Equality Act 2010 [ch 11: page 207] (56 words)

Harassment by third parties [ch 11: pages 207-209] (698 words)

Constructive dismissal [ch 11: page 209] (276 words)

Protection from Harassment Act 1997 [ch 11: page 210] (225 words)

Violence [ch 11: pages 210-212] (864 words)

Emergency workers [ch 11: page 212] (220 words)

Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-Related Sales etc.) (Scotland) Bill [ch 11: page 212] (105 words)

Employer criminal liability [ch 11: page 213] (242 words)

Vicarious liability [ch 11: pages 213-215] (976 words)

Cuts to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme [ch 11: page 215] (153 words)

Dangerous dogs legislation [ch 11: pages 215-216] (420 words)

Further information

Further information [pages 217-218] (413 words)

All regulations made since 1988 can be downloaded from the website at: www.legislation.gov.uk ...
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