LRD guides and handbook July 2016
Health and safety law 2016
Introduction
Introduction [pages 9-11] (1,215 words)
This latest edition of the Labour Research Department’s annual guide to health and safety law, Health and Safety Law 2016, sets out the law using ...
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Chapter 1
1. The structure of health and safety law [ch 1: pages 12-15] (1,542 words)
Key changes and developments since last year
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The European Union (EU) and UK Health and Safety Law [ch 1: pages 15-17] (823 words)
Regulations, Approved Codes of Practice and Guidance [ch 1: page 17] (317 words)
Review of all Approved Codes of Practice [ch 1: page 18] (353 words)
New regulations [ch 1: page 19] (94 words)
Directors’ duties [ch 1: pages 19-20] (776 words)
Common law and statute law [ch 1: pages 20-21] (372 words)
Health and safety reviews since 2010 [ch 1: pages 21-23] (832 words)
Chapter 2
2: The health and safety inspection and enforcement regime [ch 2: page 24] (304 words)
Key changes and developments since last year
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Enforcement agencies and regulators [ch 2: pages 24-27] (896 words)
The Gangmasters Licensing Authority [ch 2: pages 27-29] (656 words)
Workplace inspections [ch 2: page 29] (242 words)
Proactive inspection cuts [ch 2: page 30] (382 words)
National Enforcement Code [ch 2: page 31] (168 words)
HSE inspection blitzes [ch 2: page 31] (98 words)
Targeted enforcement [ch 2: pages 31-32] (274 words)
The Regulators’ Code [ch 2: page 32] (102 words)
Paying for enforcement — fee for intervention [ch 2: pages 32-34] (686 words)
Penalties — notices and fines [ch 2: pages 34-35] (395 words)
New sentencing guidelines [ch 2: pages 35-37] (1,243 words)
New HSE Enforcement Policy Statement [ch 2: pages 38-39] (449 words)
Investigating work-related deaths [ch 2: page 39] (338 words)
Corporate manslaughter [ch 2: pages 40-42] (1,324 words)
Crown immunity [ch 2: page 43] (115 words)
Chapter 3
3. The management of health and safety at work [ch 3: page 43] (33 words)
Key changes and developments since last year
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Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 [ch 3: page 44] (62 words)
Risk assessments [ch 3: pages 44-46] (1,089 words)
The Principles of Prevention [ch 3: page 47] (127 words)
Health and safety arrangements [ch 3: page 47] (64 words)
Health surveillance [ch 3: pages 47-48] (141 words)
Appointment of safety specialists [ch 3: page 48] (70 words)
Procedures for serious and imminent danger – stop work and proceed to a “place of safety” [ch 3: page 48] (226 words)
Information and training [ch 3: pages 48-49] (426 words)
Co-operation and co-ordination [ch 3: page 49] (47 words)
Temporary workers [ch 3: page 50] (89 words)
New and expectant mothers [ch 3: pages 50-51] (595 words)
Workplace hazards for pregnant and breastfeeding women [ch 3: pages 51-53] (738 words)
Young workers [ch 3: pages 53-54] (376 words)
HSE Guidance on the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations [ch 3: page 54] (234 words)
Chapter 4
4. Safety reps, safety committees and taking action on health and safety [ch 4: page 56] (173 words)
Key changes and developments since last year
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The Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977 [ch 4: page 56] (58 words)
The Union Effect [ch 4: pages 56-58] (688 words)
Appointing safety reps [ch 4: pages 58-59] (528 words)
Safety reps’ functions [ch 4: page 59] (106 words)
Consultation [ch 4: pages 59-60] (259 words)
Facilities for safety reps [ch 4: page 60] (151 words)
Safety reps’ legal rights to paid time off [ch 4: pages 60-61] (218 words)
Relevant case law [ch 4: pages 61-62] (478 words)
Right to information [ch 4: page 62] (225 words)
Safety committees [ch 4: page 63] (129 words)
Enforcement of the Safety Reps and Safety Committees Regulations [ch 4: page 63] (122 words)
Advice to Safety Reps on reporting health and safety problems to the HSE [ch 4: pages 63-64] (298 words)
Employee consultation where there is no union recognition [ch 4: page 64] (128 words)
Extending the scope for safety reps to raise issues for all staff regardless of union membership [ch 4: pages 64-65] (140 words)
Scope of employer’s obligation to consult [ch 4: page 65] (100 words)
The need for stronger regulations [ch 4: page 65] (142 words)
Legal protection for safety reps and other workers who take action [ch 4: pages 65-67] (981 words)
Reinstatement [ch 4: page 68] (287 words)
Compensation [ch 4: page 68] (72 words)
Whistleblowing — the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 [ch 4: pages 68-71] (1,212 words)
The Francis Report [ch 4: page 71] (96 words)
Interim relief [ch 4: pages 71-72] (286 words)
Changes to the tribunal system [ch 4: page 72] (55 words)
Tribunal fees [ch 4: pages 72-73] (410 words)
Acas early conciliation [ch 4: page 73] (154 words)
Blacklisting [ch 4: pages 73-75] (791 words)
Chapter 5
5. The workplace and the working environment [ch 5: page 76] (220 words)
Changes and developments since last year
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Regulation of minimum standards for the workplace [ch 5: pages 76-77] (161 words)
Stability and solidity [ch 5: page 77] (76 words)
Maintenance [ch 5: page 77] (57 words)
Ventilation [ch 5: page 77] (134 words)
Temperature [ch 5: pages 77-78] (385 words)
Lighting [ch 5: page 78] (111 words)
Cleanliness [ch 5: page 79] (35 words)
Space [ch 5: page 79] (146 words)
Workstations and seating [ch 5: page 79] (93 words)
Condition of floors [ch 5: page 79] (72 words)
Falls or falling objects [ch 5: page 79] (60 words)
Transparent surfaces and windows [ch 5: page 80] (66 words)
Doors and gates [ch 5: page 80] (27 words)
Organisation of traffic routes [ch 5: page 80] (64 words)
Escalators and moving walkways [ch 5: page 80] (31 words)
Sanitary, washing and drinking facilities [ch 5: pages 80-82] (622 words)
Clothing and changing [ch 5: page 82] (242 words)
Menopause [ch 5: pages 82-83] (146 words)
Rest and eating facilities [ch 5: page 83] (167 words)
Disabled workers [ch 5: page 83] (60 words)
Pregnancy and breastfeeding [ch 5: pages 83-84] (194 words)
Smoking [ch 5: pages 84-87] (1,266 words)
Driving at work [ch 5: page 87] (302 words)
Mobile phones [ch 5: page 88] (386 words)
Drug-driving limits [ch 5: pages 88-89] (586 words)
Driving standards for vision, diabetes and epilepsy [ch 5: pages 89-91] (296 words)
Legislation covering particular industries [ch 5: page 91] (123 words)
Recent developments in sector-specific laws [ch 5: pages 91-94] (788 words)
Chapter 6
6. Hazardous substances [ch 6: page 95] (156 words)
Key changes and developments since last year
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Control of substances hazardous to health [ch 6: pages 95-98] (1,018 words)
Carcinogens [ch 6: pages 98-100] (765 words)
Silica dust [ch 6: page 100] (233 words)
Endocrine Chemical Disruptors (EDCs) [ch 6: pages 1001-101] (255 words)
COSHH Approved Code of Practice [ch 6: page 101] (47 words)
Asthma [ch 6: page 101] (160 words)
Dust [ch 6: pages 101-102] (287 words)
Legionnaires’ disease [ch 6: pages 102-103] (359 words)
Needlestick or sharps injuries [ch 6: page 103] (225 words)
Dermatitis and other skin conditions [ch 6: pages 103-104] (490 words)
Latex allergy [ch 6: page 105] (59 words)
Aerotoxic Syndrome [ch 6: page 105] (118 words)
Chemicals information and packaging [ch 6: page 105] (264 words)
European chemicals strategy (REACH) [ch 6: page 106] (260 words)
Safety Data Sheets [ch 6: pages 106-107] (202 words)
Major accident hazards [ch 6: pages 107-108] (467 words)
The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 [ch 6: pages 108-110] (607 words)
Asbestos [ch 6: page 110] (242 words)
Controlling risks from asbestos [ch 6: pages 110-111] (203 words)
The duty to manage asbestos [ch 6: pages 111-112] (322 words)
The Asbestos ACOP [ch 6: page 112] (136 words)
Compensation and better treatment for asbestos-related diseases [ch 6: pages 112-113] (559 words)
Pleural plaques [ch 6: page 113-114] (158 words)
Call for an asbestos eradication law [ch 6: page 114] (112 words)
Lead [ch 6: pages 114-116] (706 words)
Transport of dangerous goods [ch 6: page 116] (138 words)
Genetically Modified Organisms [ch 6: pages 116-117] (272 words)
Pesticides [ch 6: page 117] (279 words)
Chapter 7
7. Equipment at Work [ch 7: page 118] (88 words)
Key changes and developments since last year
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Display screen equipment [ch 7: pages 118-119] (724 words)
Breaks for DSE users [ch 7: pages 119-120] (265 words)
Rest breaks and monotonous work [ch 7: page 120] (93 words)
Machinery and other equipment [ch 7: pages 120-123] (1,019 words)
The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) [ch 7: page 123] (197 words)
Work at height [ch 7: pages 123-124] (367 words)
Personal protective equipment [ch 7: pages 124-126] (1,064 words)
Agency workers and PPE [ch 7: page 126] (67 words)
Ill-fitting PPE [ch 7: pages 126-128] (405 words)
Illegal to charge for PPE [ch 7: page 128] (209 words)
TUC footwear guidance [ch 7: page 129] (51 words)
Changes to head protection rules – turbans [ch 7: page 129] (83 words)
New European PPE Regulation on the manufacture and marketing of PPE [ch 7: page 129] (122 words)
Chapter 8
8. Physical hazards at work [ch 8: page 130] (120 words)
Key changes and developments since last year
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Manual handling [ch 8: pages 130-131] (306 words)
The Manual Handling Operations Regulations [ch 8: page 132] (404 words)
HSE MSD Toolkit [ch 8: page 132] (65 words)
The Manual Handling Assessment Chart (MAC tool) [ch 8: page 132] (205 words)
The Assessment of Repetitive Tasks (ART) Tool [ch 8: pages 132-133] (247 words)
The RAPP Tool [ch 8: page 133] (47 words)
Protection under the Equality Act [ch 8: pages 133-134] (358 words)
Fire [ch 8: page 134] (208 words)
General fire precautions [ch 8: pages 134-135] (172 words)
Risk assessment [ch 8: page 135] (143 words)
Preventive and protection measures [ch 8: pages 135-136] (337 words)
Information and training [ch 8: page 136] (119 words)
Enforcement [ch 8: pages 136-137] (163 words)
Noise [ch 8: page 137] (262 words)
Noise levels [ch 8: pages 137-138] (264 words)
Risk assessment [ch 8: pages 138-139] (280 words)
Controlling noise [ch 8: page 139] (220 words)
Hearing protection [ch 8: page 140] (273 words)
Information and training [ch 8: pages 140-141] (195 words)
Compensation for hearing loss [ch 8: pages 141-142] (337 words)
Voice damage [ch 8: page 142] (177 words)
Vibration [ch 8: pages 142-143] (500 words)
Radiation [ch 8: pages 143-145] (499 words)
Electromagnetic fields [ch 8: pages 145-147] (1,057 words)
Optical radiation [ch 8: pages 147-148] (396 words)
Sunlight [ch 8: pages 148-149] (335 words)
Electricity [ch 8: pages 149-150] (417 words)
Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) [ch 8: page 150] (164 words)
Gas [ch 8: pages 150-151] (341 words)
Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) [ch 8: pages 151-152] (193 words)
Confined spaces [ch 8: page 152] (100 words)
Pressure systems [ch 8: page 152] (98 words)
Chapter 9
9. Hours of work (295 words)
Key changes and developments since last year
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General background — the Working Time Directive [ch 9: page 153] (60 words)
Core rights [ch 9: page 154] (67 words)
Working time under the WTR Regulations [ch 9: page 154] (351 words)
Time spent “on-call” [ch 9: page 155] (426 words)
Unmeasured time [ch 9: pages 155-156] (60 words)
Who the Working Time Regulations apply to [ch 9: page 156] (157 words)
Mobile workers [ch 9: pages 156-157] (316 words)
Drivers’ working hours [ch 9: page 157] (467 words)
Exclusions [ch 9: pages 157-160] (1,019 words)
Children [ch 9: page 161] (187 words)
The maximum working week [ch 9: page 161] (100 words)
The UK’s 48-hour opt-out [ch 9: pages 161-162] (241 words)
Work Your Proper Hours Day [ch 9: page 162] (134 words)
The 48-hour week and work-related stress [ch 9: pages 162-163] (544 words)
Young workers [ch 9: page 163] (105 words)
Night work [ch 9: pages 163-164] (208 words)
Night work and young workers [ch 9: page 164] (36 words)
Health assessments [ch 9: page 164] (178 words)
Research linking shift work and health problems [ch 9: page 165] (250 words)
Daily rest [ch 9: page 164] (38 words)
Weekly rest [ch 9: page 165] (74 words)
Rest breaks [ch 9: pages 165-166] (409 words)
Shift workers [ch 9: page 166] (71 words)
Compensatory rest [ch 9: pages 166-167] (372 words)
Holidays [ch 9: pages 167-168] (271 words)
Holiday entitlement [ch 9: page 168] (120 words)
Payment for holidays [ch 9: pages 168-170] (815 words)
Bank holidays [ch 9: page 170] (59 words)
Timing of holidays [ch 9: page 170] (241 words)
Offshore oil workers [ch 9: pages 170-171] (170 words)
Carrying unused leave forward into a subsequent leave year [ch 9: page 171] (131 words)
Pay in lieu of annual leave [ch 9: page 171] (61 words)
Sick leave and holiday [ch 9: pages 171-173] (809 words)
Agency workers’ enhanced rights [ch 9: page 173] (104 words)
Collective and workforce agreements [ch 9: page 173] (56 words)
Enforcement [ch 9: page 173] (206 words)
Protection against detrimental treatment [ch 9: page 174] (177 words)
Chapter 10
10. Occupational health, information and reporting [ch 10: page 175] (35 words)
Key changes and developments since last year
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Recording and reporting accidents [ch 10: page 175] (122 words)
What is reportable under RIDDOR? [ch 10: pages 175-176] (554 words)
Statistics on death and injury [ch 10: pages 177-178] (671 words)
The accident book [ch 10: page 179] (242 words)
Accident investigation [ch 10: pages 179-180] (208 words)
The Employment Practices Data Protection Code [ch 10: page 180] (418 words)
Ban on pre-employment health checks [ch 10: page 181] (139 words)
First aid [ch 10: page 181] (28 words)
What the First Aid Regulations require [ch 10: pages 181-183] (645 words)
First aid training [ch 10: page 183] (153 words)
Amendments to the First aid regulations and guidance [ch 10: page 183] (205 words)
Occupational health [ch 10: pages 183-184] (249 words)
Fit for Work [ch 10: pages 184-185] (698 words)
NHS occupational health services [ch 10: page 186] (43 words)
Fit notes [ch 10: pages 186-187] (386 words)
HSE advice on returning to work following long-term sickness absence [ch 10: page 187] (168 words)
Chapter 11
11: Stress, bullying, harassment and violence [ch 11: page 188] (202 words)
Key changes and developments since last year
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General duties [ch 11: page 188] (123 words)
The extent of stress at work [ch 11: pages 188-190] (531 words)
Stress compensation cases [ch 11: pages 190-191] (500 words)
Providing a counselling service [ch 11: page 191] (71 words)
Exceeding the 48-hour week [ch 11: page 191] (60 words)
The HSE Management Standards [ch 11: page 191] (77 words)
TUC guidance on the Management Standards [ch 11: page 192] (229 words)
Mental health at work and collective responses [ch 11: page 192] (120 words)
Mental health at work and discrimination [ch 11: pages 192-193] (257 words)
Bullying and harassment [ch 11: pages 193-194] (385 words)
Common law rights to protection against bullying [ch 11: page 194] (62 words)
Protection from harassment under the Equality Act 2010 [ch 11: page 194] (58 words)
Harassment by third parties [ch 11: page 194] (212 words)
Practical steps to combat bullying [ch 11: page 195] (129 words)
Constructive dismissal [ch 11: page 195] (259 words)
Protection from Harassment Act 1997 [ch 11: pages 195-196] (225 words)
Violence [ch 11: pages 196-197] (641 words)
Emergency workers [ch 11: page 197] (142 words)
Employer criminal liability [ch 11: pages 198-200] (1,106 words)
Cuts to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (CICS) [ch 11: page 200] (155 words)
Dangerous dogs legislation [ch 11: page 201] (368 words)
Further information
Further information [pages 202-203] (487 words)
All regulations made since 1988 can be downloaded from the website at: www.legislation.gov.uk ...
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