LRD guides and handbook July 2019

Health and safety law 2019

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 ...
Subscribers only

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 ...
Subscribers only

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 ...
Subscribers only

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 ...
Subscribers only

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 ...
Subscribers only

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 ...
Subscribers only

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 ...
Subscribers only

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 ...
Subscribers only

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 ...
Subscribers only

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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