Construction Health and Safety

POLICY . . .
ORGANISATION . . .
ADMINISTRATION

Section 1
1 - 1

CONTENTS
Safety policies
Organisation
Individual responsibilities
Method Statements
Site inspection
Reporting of injuries, diseases and dangerous occurre n c e s
Accident book
Investigation of accidents
Accident analysis
Cost of accidents, injuries and ill-health
Incentive schemes
Documentation
Notifications
T h o rough examinations and inspections
Synopsis of other legislation
HSE/HSC publications relevant to constru c t i o n

1-3
1-6
1-7
1-10
1-13
1-15
1-18
1-21
1-22
1-23
1-24
1-26
1-28
1-29
1-31
1-44

NOTE
Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy within
this work, no liability whatsoever is accepted by Construction
Health and Safety, its sponsoring organisations or their
advisers in respect of the information given.
No material from this book may be reproduced in any
shape or form without written permission from the publishers.

Printed in Great Britain by ArklePrint Ltd, 17 Gatelodge Close, Round Spinney, Northampton NN3 8RJ.
Published by the Construction Confederation,
55 Tufton Street, London SW1P 3QL

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December 2006

SAFETY POLICIES
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act, Section 2(3), most employers must have a
written policy for looking after the health, safety and welfare of all their employees, and
it must state the means by which it will be implemented.
This has always been the practice in responsible companies; it is now a statutory duty
in all but the very smallest firm s .
The policy should be re g a rded as part of the cost-effective running of a business. It is
obviously worth some capital expenditure to prevent larger sums from being wasted in
injury and damage. Sufficient funds must be allocated to implement the policy; to
establish safety control and to provide for specialist advice, training and protective
clothing and equipment.
Existing policy statements may have been quite satisfactory for many years, but it is wise
to examine them to see if they do actually comply with Sec. 2(3) according to the
guidelines given in the leaflets HSC 6 Writing a safety policy statement: advice to
employers, IAC/LI - Guidance on the implementation of safety policies and in the report
Effective Policies for Health and Safety.
The inspectorate point out that in many large companies there is very wide divergence
between safety standards of diff e rent locations of the same firm. It is essential that such
f i rms ensure that all employees, wherever they may work, will be equally protected by the
safety organisation. This may very well entail modifying the safety policy in several
instances to suit differing local conditions. It should certainly entail consultation with the
site personnel who are best acquainted with specialised work. It is vital that
management, when formulating the safety policy, ensures that information is pooled so
that specialised knowledge gained by one division will be imparted to others, and that
relevant safety systems which have been developed, or physical dangers which have
been identified, in one division, are made known to all others.
The following seven clauses give the precise wording of Sec. 2(3), and briefly discuss
the implications for firms in the construction industry: -

1. Except in such cases as may be prescribed . . .

The exceptions are firms with less than five employees (The Employers Health
and Safety Policy Statements (Exception) Regs. 1975). However the exception
applies only to the provision of a written statement; even the smallest firm must
consider how it is going to comply with the re q u i rements of the Health and Safety at
Work Act.

2. . . . it shall be the duty of every employer to pre p a re . . .

The policy must be a unique declaration of intent individually pre p a red for the
special needs of the particular firm. It cannot be bought in model form or adopted
wholesale from another organisation. A safety policy borrowed from someone else
and modified is certain to be inappropriate or quite inadequate in detailed
provisions.
The Health and Safety Executive will be looking for hard evidence that a firm is
operating an effective safety organisation. The first piece of evidence will be the
written safety policy statement.
Clients awarding contracts, and managing and main contractors engaging subcontractors, ought also to ask to see the firms safety policy as a measure
of its intention to keep to high standards of conditions of work and safe working
systems.
The Inspectorate has prosecuted for failure to have a safety policy statement,
including a case against an individual in a responsible position who was convicted
and fined for failure to ensure that his department had a written safety policy.

3 . . . and as often as may be appropriate, revise . . .

The policy should be dated as a means of ensuring that it is periodically re v i s e d
in the light of current conditions. At the same time a recent date makes it clear to the
employees that this is not a static document but one which keeps in step with
changing circumstances.
Revision necessitates continual monitoring and the policy should state how, and by
whom, its operation will be monitored. The assessment of whether or not changes need
to be made in the policy will be based on the attainment of the agreed objectives;
whether the measures laid down are proving effective, whether target dates for
eliminating certain hazards, or training certain groups of staff and operatives, are
being met. Monitoring should also check whether successive levels in the management
chain who have been allocated safety responsibility are acting to the

December 1987

1 - 3

letter and spirit of the policy, (For guidance, responsibilities for various members of
the firm, from senior management to operatives, are listed on pp.1-7 to 1-10).
P roper control of hazards is only achieved when all members of the firm fulfil the
safety duties allotted to them as normal everyday practice, and are made
accountable for their own safe working eff i c i e n c y. Safety monitoring should be one
of managements normal functions on a par with monitoring work pro g ress and
costs.
Any revision of the policy must include any changes in named personnel, any
changes in processes or materials, and any other changes which could have an
effect on health and safety.
Trade union appointed safety re p resentatives may pursue their own monitoring of
safety standards and make re p resentations on their findings through the channels set
up under the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations.

4. . . . a written statement of his general policy with respect to the health and safety at
work of his employees . . .
The policy statement should set out the re q u i red standards of health, safety and
welfare to be achieved throughout the organisation and management commitment
to those standards in terms of responsibility and accountability.
At the same time, it should point out that it is the duty of all employees to cooperate with management in implementing the policy and in doing everything they
can to avoid injury to themselves and others.
The statement should name the dire c t o r, or senior executive who is responsible for
ensuring that its objectives are fulfilled, and who has the authority to see that
individual responsibilities are carried out. It should be signed by a director and
anyone who reads it must be able to recognise that it carries the full authority of the
b o a rd room. This is particularly important in the construction industry, where the
site agent or manager must frequently make decisions which are crucial to safety.
The whole workforce must see for themselves that what is laid down in the safety
policy is realistic and has credibility - it must be seen to be consistent with what is
going on in the firm and certainly not incompatible with the firm s main objective of
doing good business.
The experience of firms who are known to give priority to the health and safety of
their employees and the protection of the environment is that they reap considerable
benefits from their reputation as ethical org a n i s a t i o n s .
The general policy statement should refer, for more specific advice, to the second
and more detailed part of the safety policy.

. . . and the organisation and arrangements . . .

The first part of the policy is the declaration of intent. The second part is
the working document. It should ensure that all who might be at risk are well
a w a re of the hazards, the reasons for precautions to be taken, and the part that
they as individuals have to play in maintaining a safe and healthy working
environment.
It should include: (a) The positive steps that are to be taken to ensure good training and thoro u g h
supervision with arrangements for management and supervisors to be
trained and equipped for this responsibility. Measures for training operatives
must particularly take into account those men whose activities can be
especially dangerous to their fellow workers, for instance crane drivers, fork
lift operators, timbermen, scaffolders and hoist operators.
(b) The identification and responsibilities of key personnel who are accountable
to top management for ensuring that detailed arrangements for safe working
a re drawn up, implemented and maintained.
(c) Rules and pro c e d u res for each working practice or hazardous situation. In
establishing safety arrangements and safe systems of work, it should be born e
in mind that the employees most closely involved with the particular work will
have a valuable contribution to make as to how the job can best be done. In
a complex organisation there are small groups of people who have a unique
knowledge of their own particular process, and they should have a voice in
f o rmulating the safe systems of work.
(d) Pro c e d u res for ensuring that sub-contractors comply with the law and
company safety ru l e s .
Clear arrangements to establish on-site responsibilities for each firm
should be made at the contract stage in respect of, for example, responsibility
for permission to start work; posting of statutory notices; reporting of
accidents; provision of health and welfare facilities; use of scaff o l d s ;
g u a rding of excavations. An exchange of safety policies should be included.

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December 1981

(e) A rrangements for passing information.

( f ) P ro c e d u res for the appointment of Safety Representatives and the establishment
of Safety Committees; also for joint inspections and investigations.
(g) Details of the Safety Organisation and its functions.

6. . . . for the time being in force for carrying out this policy . . .
This makes it clear that the safety policy is no paper exercise - it must be a
blueprint for the safety organisation which is actually being carried out on site. It
f u rther emphasises the need for continuous monitoring of the policy and for it to be
continually revised so that it accurately reflects changing operations within the
company.
Systems of work must regularly be examined to see if experience shows them to
be in fact the best and safest way of doing things. There is a role for the safety
adviser in the monitoring of such procedures. In the course of time, formal
arrangements for safety become gradually degraded and eventually tacitly ignore d ,
both by line management and by operatives; corners are cut and risks taken. The
safety adviser must watch for signs of this and ensure that management is made
a w a re of the attendant risks.

7.. . . and to bring the statement and any revision of it to the notice of all of his employees.
Posting copies on notice boards or distributing in booklet form to all employees
will constitute compliance with the law. More active ways of promoting the policy
could include films, training sessions, group briefings, posters and information being
passed through the medium of safety committees. However, each employee should
receive a copy of the statement and of such parts of the details of the organisation
and arrangements which relate to his activities andre s p o n s i b i l i t i e s .

Safety policy checklist

The foregoing has given the re q u i rements of Section 2(3) of the Act and
recommendations to assist in the preparation of a company safety policy.
Having prepared the policy, the following checklist is intended to be used as
a guide to test its likely effectiveness. The checklist may also be used to test
an existing policy; particularly with re f e rence to site re q u i re m e n t s .

The Policy Statement

Does it give a clear, unequivocal commitment to safety?
Is it authoritative and is it signed by a director, and dated?
Is it made clear that the policy is to be regularly reviewed and its operation
monitored?
Has there been consultation with Safety Representatives, where appointed?
How is it to be brought to the notice of employees?

The Organisation
Is the delegation of duties clear and logical?
Is final responsibility placed on the appropriate dire c t o r ?
A re individual responsibilities (see pp.1-7/10) written into the policy?
Do managers understand their duties and responsibilities re g a rding health and
safety and is their perf o rmance in this respect part of their annual assessment?

The Arrangements
This part should contain details of arrangements for: 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

December 1981

Training (see section 2)

Safe systems of work
Environmental control
Safe place of work
Machinery and plant
Fire
Medical facilities and welfare
Records
Emergency procedures
Communication
Monitoring the effectiveness of the policy

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ORGANISATION

Safety organisation and control is a function of line management and fits into normal company protocol for the interchange
of inform a t i o n .
The following diagrams show specimen lines of responsibility and communication for small, medium and large companies.

(a) Small Company in Group Scheme

Managing Director
or Principal

Principals of other
Companies in Group Scheme

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Group Safety Officer

Site Agent

Site Agent

Site Agent

(b) Medium sized company

Managing Director

Other Directors

C o n s t ruction Manager

Safety Officer

Site
Agent

Site
Agent

Site
Agent

Site
Agent

Site
Agent

Site
Agent

(c) L a rge Company

Managing Dire c t o r
Director

Construction
Manager

Site
Agent

Site
Agent

Site
Agent

Other Dire c t o r s

Construction
Manager

Site
Agent

Site
Agent

Director
(With special responsibility for Safety)
Chief Safety
Officer

Site
Agent

Safety
Officer

Safety
Officer

Construction
Manager

Site
Agent

Site
Agent

Site
Agent

Lines of responsibility and communication.

Lines of communication only.

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December 1981

INDIVIDUAL DUTIES AND

RESPONSIBILITIES OF CONTRACTORS
Introduction
Managing health and safety is an integral function of management. It is there f o re
i m p o rtant that this is reflected in the individual duties and responsibilities of every
level of management within an organisation. Likewise, it is important to ensure that
the avoidance of accidents and the provision and maintenance of safe and healthy
workplaces is a common objective throughout the organisation, from directors to
operatives. To this end, it should be made clear that the health and safety duties and
responsibilities delegated to individuals are no less important than the duties they
may have in perf o rming any other function.
Examples of typical duties and responsibilities of individuals are listed below to
give an indication of areas to be considered in formulating company policy.
However, it is emphasised that these will vary from firm to firm and must be adapted
to suit each particular organisation. For example, in a small company, the duties
listed under Safety Director and Contracts Manager may well be carried out by one
person.
Although duties of Principal Contractors and Contractors under the Construction
(Design & Management) Regulations 1994 (as amended) a re re f e rred to in the
following paragraphs, these duties, together with the corporate duties of Clients,
Designers and Planning Supervisors, are covered more fully in Section OC Managing Construction for Health and Safety.

Safety Director or Principal of a smaller firm

This is the nominated person responsible for the implementation of the company
safety policy. Main responsibilities are to:
(a) Initiate the firm s policy for the prevention of injury, ill-health, damage and
wastage; set targets for reduction of accident rates.
(b) Administer the policy himself, or appoint a senior member of staff to do so.
(c) Be aware of the re q u i rements of current legislation and establish systems to
monitor compliance.
(d) E n s u re that all levels of staff receive adequate and appropriate training.
(e) Insist that safe working practices are regularly observed.
(f) Make certain that, in tendering, at planning stages and in production
p rocesses, the health and safety plan is followed in making allowance for
adequate welfare facilities, safe systems of work, and suitable equipment to
avoid injury, ill-health, damage and wastage.
(g) Co-operate in the co-ordination of safety and health activities between principal
contractor, sub-contractors and any other individual contractors who may be
working on the same site.
(h) Institute proper reporting, investigation and costing of injury, ill-health, damage
and loss; promote action to preclude recurrence and initiate analysis to
discover accident tre n d s .
(i) Reprimand any member of the staff failing to discharge satisfactorily the
responsibilities allocated to him.
(j) Instigate liaison with external safety and health organisations; encourage the
distribution of pertinent information throughout the firm .
(k) A rrange for adequate re s o u rces and facilities to meet the re q u i rements of the
established policy.
(I) E n s u re arrangements are made for all site staff to be provided with adequate
information concerning relevant sections of the health and safety plan.
(m) Set a personal example.
When the company is acting as principal contractor, the Safety Director is
responsible for ensuring a system of management to effectively control and coo rdinate the activities of contractors.

Construction Manager and/or Contracts Manager

Those appointed are responsible for the operation of the safety policy on their
sites. They should monitor each site to ensure the implementation of safety
instructions.

June 2001

1 - 7

Main responsibilities are to:

(a) Understand the firm s policy and appreciate the responsibility allocated to each
grade.
(b) See that tenders are adequate to cover suitable methods of working and
welfare facilities.
(c) E n s u re adequate information is received re g a rding matters which might aff e c t
health and safety in order to determine at the planning stage:
the most appropriate order and method of working;
p rovision of adequate lighting;
allocation of responsibilities with sub-contractors and others;
h a z a rds which might arise from overhead or underg round power lines and
other situations which might lead to unnecessary improvisations on site;
facilities for welfare and sanitation;
basic fire pre c a u t i o n s ;
(d) E n s u re a full risk assessment is undertaken and provide written instructions to
establish working methods, to explain the sequence of operations, to outline
potential hazards at each stage and indicate precautions to be adopted.
(e) Check over working methods and precautions with site management before
work starts.
( f ) E n s u re that work, once started, is carried out as planned and that relevant
legislation is observed on site.
(g) Make certain that agents and general foremen understand that management of
health and safety on site will be taken into account when bonus and pro m o t i o n
a re being decided.
(h) Set a personal example on site visits.
When the Company is acting as principal contractor, the Construction/Contracts
Manager is responsible for ensuring:
(a) Co-operation between contractors.
(b) The development of the health and safety plan and the provision of inform a t i o n
and directions to contractors.
(c) The provision of information to the Planning Supervisor for inclusion in the
health and safety file.
(d) The laying down of site rules, where appro p r i a t e .

Plant Manager
Main responsibilities are to:
(a) E n s u re that all plant sent to site is safe and fully efficient; is guarded and
equipped with safety devices and is tested in accordance with current
legislation.
(b) Make certain that all plant operators and signallers are employed only on
equipment for which they have been thoroughly trained and tested.
(c) Check that periodic tests, inspections and maintenance are carried out.
(d) E n s u re that all repair and maintenance work carried out on site is done in a
p roper manner and that emergency repairs are dealt with properly.
(e) Attend promptly to all plant defects notified, or call the attention of site
management to the need for dangerous plant to be put out of service until it can
be properly re p a i red.
(f) Check that hired plant is safe and that, where appropriate, re c o rds of test and
examination are available.
(g) E n s u re that, where necessary, ear protection is supplied and worn .

Site Agent and General Fore m a n

Those appointed are responsible to the Construction Manager or Contracts
Manager for ensuring the day-to-day implementation of the companys safety policy
and safe working practices.
Main responsibilities are to:
(a) Organise sites so that work is carried out to the required standard with
minimum risk to men, equipment and materials - and to give all trades fore m e n
and gangers precise instructions on their responsibilities for correct working
methods.
(b) Co-ordinate the activities of contractors.
(c) Develop the health and safety plan and provide relevant information to
contractors.
(d) Regularly monitor that site rules and other instructions are being complied with.

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April 1995

(e) See that all health and safety legal re q u i rements are observed on site; that all
registers, re c o rds and reports are in order and that the competent person
appointed has sufficient knowledge of plant or machinery to evaluate all
aspects of its safe operation.
(f) A rrange delivery and stacking of materials to avoid doubling risks by double
handling; position plant effectively; ensure that the electricity supply is installed
and maintained without endangering men and equipment.
(g) Plan and maintain a tidy site.
(h) Implement arrangements with sub-contractors and other contractors on site to
avoid any confusion about areas of re s p o n s i b i l i t y.
(I) Check that all machinery and plant, including power and hand tools, are
maintained in good condition.
(j) E n s u re that all hazardous materials are properly marked to enable adequate
precautions to be taken.
(k) Make sure that suitable protective clothing is available, where appro p r i a t e ,
and that it is used.
(I) E n s u re that First-Aiders or appointed persons and all items of first-aid equipment
as re q u i red by current legislation are available and their location known to
employees.
(m) See that proper care is taken of casualties and know where to obtain medical
help and ambulance service in the event of serious injury. (Nominate others to
act in emergency).
(n) Accompany Health and Safety Executive Inspector, Safety Adviser/Safety
Officer on site visits and act on their recommendations.
(o) Release supervisors and operatives, where necessary, for on or off-site safety
and health training.
(p) Liaise with the Fire Brigade on fire pre v e n t i o n .
(q) Set a personal example.

Trades Foreman and Ganger

Trades foremen and gangers are responsible to the Site Agent and/or General
Foreman for the day-to-day implementation of safety instructions on their specific
areas of work. In particular, they should:
(a) Be familiar with current legislation applicable to the work on which their gangs
are engaged and insist that safe systems of work are observed and monitore d
regularly.
(b) Incorporate safety and health instructions in routine orders to see that they are
obeyed at all times.
(c) Not permit men to undertake tasks which have not been planned and for which
a risk assessment has not been undert a k e n .
(d) Monitor that new employees, including apprentices, are adequately supervised
at all times and comply with safety and health pre c a u t i o n s .
(e) Commend operatives who, by action or initiative, eliminate hazard s .
(f) Discourage horseplay and reprimand those who consistently fail to consider
their own well-being and that of others around them.
(g) Report defects in plant or equipment, or any obvious health risk.
(h) Set a personal example.

Operatives
Operatives are responsible for ensuring the health and safety of themselves and
others who might be affected by their actions and for co-operating at all times on
health and safety matters. In particular, they should:
(a) Use the correct .tools and equipment for the job: use safety equipment and
protective clothing supplied, e.g. roof ladders, safety helmets, belts, goggles,
etc.
(b) Keep tools in good condition.
(c) R e p o rt defects in plant or equipment, or any obvious health risks to their
supervisor.
(d) Develop a personal concern for safety and health - for themselves and for
others, particularly newcomers and young people.
(e) Avoid improvising which entails unnecessary risk.
(f) Wa rn new men of known hazard s .
(g) Refrain from horseplay and the abuse of welfare facilities.
(h) Suggest ways of eliminating hazard s .

April 1995

1 - 9

PLANNING FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY - METHOD STATEMENTS

There are various statutory requirements relating to the
need to carry out detailed planning for health and safety :-

Section 2(2) of the Health and Safety at Work Act

re q u i res the provision of safe systems of work.
CDM re q u i res the production of a construction phase
Health and Safety Plan.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work
Regulations re q u i re risk assessments to be carried out.
Good business practice also dictates that methods of
work are systematically planned.
Method statements have long been used within the
c o n s t ruction industry as a means of describing the manner in
which elements of work are to be undertaken. Whilst
historically they may have simply described a sequence of
events, it is now commonly accepted that all method
statements must also address the health and safety issues
involved in carrying out the work. However, much of the
work carried out within the industry is of a standard nature
and, although it must of course be carried out safely, job
specific method statements are not necessarily re q u i red for
basic, routine operations. The broad range of risks posed by
such operations is commonly addressed in the formulation of
the project health and safety plan or in standard company
procedures.
There is no definitive standard within the industry as to
which operations need to be covered by a method statement
or what that method statement should contain. It is
recommended that, as a minimum, method statements
should be pre p a red for all high risk operations and any
other operations where the control measures are not
immediately obvious from the health and safety plan or other
s t a n d a rdpro c e d u res. It is becoming increasingly common to
re q u i re all subcontractors to produce method statements for
all of their work. However, generalised statements of intent,
dealing with large packages of work, as are often submitted
with the tender, frequently prove to be of little use when it
comes to carrying out the work. Method statements should
be written for the benefit of those carrying out the work and
their immediate supervisors. They there f o re need to addre s s
specific tasks or jobs which may mean breaking down the
work into its constituent elements. Such job specific method
statements should be produced well in advance of the works
and should address all aspects of the job - programme,
sequence, engineering, method, quality etc. as well as
health and safety.
They should be clear and concise, using simple sketches
w h e re appropriate, with no ambiguities or generalisations
which could lead to confusion. Whilst the content will vary
a c c o rding to the scale and complexity of the job and level of
risk involved, all competent method statements should
address the following issues : What is to be done ?
- p recise scope of the job.
W h e re is it to be done ? - p recise location.
When is it to be done ? - by dates or by sequence
of events i.e. pre c e d i n g ,
c o n c u rrent, or following
other operations
Who is to do it ?
- number and type of
personnel including any
specific skills, training or
qualifications re q u i re d .
How is it to be done ?
- plant, equipment and
material re q u i re d ,
including access, storage
and handling there o f .
- safe means of access and
egress.

1 - 10

safe place of work.

p recise method and
sequence of operations
including any hold
points.
specific limitations or
constraints upon the job
e.g. adverse weather, out
of sequence working.

What are the risks and

c o n t rol measure s ?

list the identified hazard s ,

who might be harm e d
and the precautions to be
taken.

References

method statements
should be self sufficient
but it is occasionally
necessary to cross re f e r
to specific drawings,
specifications, standard
p ro c e d u res etc.

Date and originator

The following system controls also need to be specified,
either as part of the method statement or as part of the
p roject health and safety plan or company pro c e d u re s .
Communications

Supervision

Amendments

Validation

a rrangements for
ensuring that all involved
understand the method
statement or their part of
it.
a rrangements for
ensuring that work
p roceeds according to
the method statement.
a rrangements for
a g reeing modifications to
the method statement and
communicating them to
those concerned.
a rrangements for
ensuring that the
p roposed method
statement is reviewed by
both the org a n i s a t i o n
p roducing it and by the
principal contractor,
including the seeking of
advice from the
respective safety advisers
as may be appro p r i a t e .

The HSE have made it clear that they consider method

statements to be an integral part of the construction phase
health and safety plan and there f o re within the responsibility
of the principal contractor under CDM regulation 15 (4).
Successful prosecutions have already been brought against
principal contractors because of the inadequacy of
subcontractors method statements.
Competent method statements, properly implemented,
will eliminate the ad hoc methods of work and good
intentioned improvisation which are so often the cause
of accidents, sub-standard quality and poor productivity.
Job specific method statements are there f o re by far the
most important element in planning for safety and working
safely.

December 1999

Principal contractors are the key players in setting

practical on-site safety standards and making sure that they
are actually followed. There f o re, they should : specify the activities for which they require method
statements;
e n s u re that method statements are submitted to
themselves before the work commences;
t h o roughly review method statements, considering the
work itself, any relevant site wide issues and interfaces
with other work of which the subcontractor may not be
fully aware ;

a p p rove method statements when they are considere d

appropriate and adequate;
monitor the work whilst in pro g ress to ensure compliance
with the agreed method statement.
In order to assist in both the production and approval of
method statements for various high risk operations, check
lists are included in appropriate sections of this manual. It
must be stressed that these are general checklists for the
subject heading. They are not exhaustive lists of every
possible problem which may arise from a given task.

CHECKLISTS FOR METHOD STATEMENTS

Subject
Demolition
Groundworks
Fragile ro o f s
Roof trusses
Roof sheeting
Piling
Mobile cranes
Tower cranes
Steel ere c t i o n
P recast concre t e
Timber frame ere c t i o n
In-site concrete frames
Metal decking
Confined spaces
Asbestos re m o v a l

December 1999

End of Section
8A
8B
8D
8D
8D
8F
9
9
16
16
16
16
16
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24

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April 1995

SITE INSPECTION
The practice of inspecting site operations is an essential part
of every line managers duty. Information will be gained on
a wide variety of matters, including attendance of
operatives, rate of production, quality of workmanship and
compliance with health and safety standard s .
The vast majority of construction sites will be subject to
the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 1994
(as amended). A key requirement of these regulations is an
obligation on the principal contractor to develop and
maintain a health and safety plan. This plan will supplement
the contractors health and safety policy and the risk
assessments required under other legislation. It should
clearly define the standards which are to be met and include
site rules and pro c e d u res to be followed, together with
a rrangements for monitoring compliance. Monitoring
compliance is likely to involve cooperation and regular
meetings between contractors and safety advisors, the
investigation of dangerous incidents (whether or not causing
injury) and the carrying out of site inspections.
Site inspections will be carried out at a number of levels
and should be incorporated into the daily routine. In the first
instance, operatives should be aware of the risks which may
be present in their workplace. People should not ignore a
risk because it is not of their making. It is not only carpenters
who can stand on a pro t ruding nail. Any avoidable risk
which has been identified should be re p o rted through the
channels identified in the health and safety plan and, if the
rectification is simple, the operative might deal with it there
and then.
Site inspection should also be carried out as a
n o rmal part of site management by all line managers.
This will include action by visiting contracts managers,
directors, etc. and is a clear demonstration to site employees
and sub-contractors of the commitment which senior
management have to health and safety matters. Standards of
accident prevention which do not conform to those laid down
in the health and safety plan should be identified and
remedial action should be instigated. Where there is an
imminent risk of serious personal injury, then the work should
be stopped. Due to the various pre s s u res that Site Agents are
under, some may find it useful to set aside a time when they
carry out a formal site inspection and record the results. There
may be some value in the use of a checklist. This can very
easily be generated from the risk assessments which form part
of the health and safety plan (also see OC-28). It might
include such matters as:
Health and Safety Plan
Posting of notices and completion of
registers/reports
Training Records
Scaffolding

Guardrails
Toeboards
Platforms
Standards
Ledgers
Rakers
Bracing
Ties

Excavations

S u p p o rting systems
Edge pro t e c t i o n
Ventilation

December 2002

Means of access

Ladders
Step ladders / trestles
Ramps

Hoists

Safety devices
Interlocks
Gates
Ropes
Stability

Cranes

Rails
Automatic SWL indicators
Radius indicators
Stability

Machinery

Guards
Controls

Compressors and
p re s s u revessels

Gauges
Valves
Guards

Electrical

Distribution system
Temporary lighting
Hand tools
Live conductors

L.P. Gas

Cylinders
Appliances
Fire extinguishers
No smoking notice
Hot Work perm i t s

Fire Pre c a u t i o n s

Materials Handling,
and stacking
Protective clothing
& equipment
Welfare Facilities

First aid
Canteen facilities
Washing and toilet facilities

Health Hazard s

H a z a rdous Substances (COSHH)

Asbestos and Lead
Noise and Vibration
Radiation

Site Ti d i n e s s
If, during the course of any of the inspections, significant
risks are identified which are not covered by the health and
safety plan, then the plan should be updated to address
those issues.
T h e re are of course other people who legitimately use
c o n s t ruction sites as their place of work. In particular,
Resident Engineers may carry out or commission site
inspections in order to discharge their legal duties to be
reasonably satisfied as to the wellbeing of their
s u b o rdinates. On many sites, particularly sites which are
jointly occupied by the client, inspections may be carried out
on the clients behalf
As part of the overall monitoring process, site inspections
will be carried out by visiting health and safety
p rofessionals. Normal practice is for a report form
to be completed before leaving the site and a copy handed
to the agent who confirms on an action portion of the form
that any contraventions noted have been corre c t e d .
Additional copies of the form may be sent to any subcontractors who may be concerned and to the senior
management.

1 - 13

A.B.C. Co.
SITE SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE REPORT
Safety Advisers Report No. .............................................

Signed ..........................................................................

Contract.........................................................................

Date .............................................................................

For action by:

For information to:

Site Manager/Agent ...................................................

Managing Director

Sub Contractor ...........................................................

C o n s t ruction Director

Other.........................................................................

Safety Director

ITEMS CHECKED
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

SCAFFOLDING
LADDERS/ACCESS
DEMOLITION
EXCAVATIONS/EARTHWORKS
LIFTING APPLIANCES/GEAR
PLANT/MACHINERY
PORTABLE TOOLS
ITEM
NO.

8.
9.
10.
11.

ELECTRICITY
GUARD/FENCING
GASES
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT
12. FIRE PRECAUTIONS
13. HEALTH HAZARDS

WELFARE
FIRST AID
SITE TIDINESS
HEALTH AND SAFETY PLAN
REGISTERS/RECORDS
OTHER

COMMENTS (List defective items only)

SAFETY ADVISERS REPORT No. ...................................

ITEM
NO.

14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.

This section to be completed, detached and

re t u rned to the Safety Adviser within 24 hours.

ACTION TAKEN

Signed ....................................................................................
Site Manager/Agent

1 - 14

December 2002

R E P O RTING OF INJURIES, DISEASES AND DANGEROUS OCCURRENCES

Introduction

Dangerous occurre n c e s

The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous

Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR) re q u i re fatal and
c e rtain non-fatal accidents, certain specified diseases and
certain specified dangerous occurrences to be reported
directly to the appropriate enforcing authority. Note The definition of accident includes acts of violence done to persons
at work, e.g. an assault by an employee on a supervisor (or
vice versa) over a work-related matter. Violence resulting fro m
arguments over personal issues are not reportable.

A report must be made of any specified type of dangero u s

o c c u rrence, whether or not injury results. Dangerous
o c c u rrences related to the construction industry are
summarised below.

Injuries
A report must be made on any injury, arising out of or in
connection with work, which results in:
1.

Death (of any person)

2.

A specified major injury (to a person at work)

The following injuries and conditions are specified:
any fracture (other than to fingers, thumbs or toes);
any amputation;
dislocation of the shoulder, hip, knee or spine;
loss of sight (whether temporary or perm a n e n t ) ;
chemical or heat burn to the eye, or penetrating
injury to the eye;
any injury from electric shock or electrical burn
causing unconsciousness or requiring resuscitation
or admission to hospital for more than 24 hours;
any other injury which leads to hypothermia, heatinduced illness or unconsciousness, requires
resuscitation or re q u i res admittance to hospital for
m o re than 24 hours;
loss of consciousness caused by asphyxia or
exposure to a harmful substance or biological agent;
acute illness requiring medical attention, loss of
consciousness due to absorption of any substance
by inhalation, ingestion or skin contact;
acute illness requiring medical attention where
believed caused by exposure to a biological agent
or its toxins, or infected material.

3.

4.

5.

Incapacity for work (of a person at work)

Any injury which results in absence from work for more
than three consecutive days, (excluding the day of the
accident, but including weekends and other holidays
which would not have been working days) must be
reported.
Subsequent death (of a person at work)
W h e re an employee suffers an injury, re p o rtable under
2 or 3 above which results in his death within one year,
a further re p o rt must be made whether or not the injury
has been previously re p o rted.
I n j u ry to a person not at work
An injury to someone who is not at work (e.g. a
member of the public) which results in the person being
taken from the site of the accident to hospital for
treatment or, if the accident happens at a hospital, the
person suffers a major injury (see 2 above). Note
Accidents at a hospital do not include those arising out
of medical treatment by a doctor or dentist.

December 1997

Equipment,
material or
operation

Dangerous occurrence

Breathing
apparatus

f a i l u re of a breathing apparatus whilst in

use or whilst being tested immediately prior
to use.

Dangerous
substances

u n c o n t rolled escape of any dangerous

substance being carried by road
which might have caused death or major
injury;
u n c o n t rolled escape of any dangerous
substance being conveyed in a road tanker
or tank container;
f i re involving a dangerous substance being
conveyed by ro a d ;
overturning of a road tanker or tank
container conveying prescribed dangerous
substances;
serious damage to a tank conveying
p rescribed dangerous substances by ro a d .

Diving
operations

f a i l u re of lifting equipment or life support

equipment which puts a diver at risk; also
damage to the dive platform or failure of the
p l a t f o rmto remain on station, which puts the
diver at risk;
trapping of a diver, explosion in the vicinity
of a diver, or uncontrolled ascent which puts
a diver at risk.

Electricity

contact of plant with uninsulated overhead

cables (over 200 volts), or electrical disc h a rge due to plant coming into close
proximity;
electrical short circuit or overlead causing
explosion or fire resulting in stoppage of
plant involved for more than 24 hours or
which might have caused death.

Explosives

accidental ignition or explosion of

explosives, misfires (other than due to failsafe devices), failure of shots in demolition
operations, projection of material beyond
site boundary or danger zone; also any
injury (other than those re p o rtable under
RIDDOR) involving first aid or treatment
resulting from the explosion; see also
Blasting( Q u a rr i e s ) .

Freight
containers

failure of any freight container, or any loadbearing part thereof, whilst being raised,
lowered or suspended.

Flammable
substances

u n c o n t rolled release inside a building of

100kg or more of flammable liquid, 10kg or
m o re of flammable liquid above its boiling
point, or 10kg or more of flammable gas;
u n c o n t rolled release in the open air of
500kg or more of flammable liquid or
flammable gas.

1 - 15

Lifting

collapse, overt u rning or failure of any loadbearing part of: (a) any lift, hoist, crane,
derrick, mobile powered access platform or
access cradle, (b) any excavator, (c) any
pile driving rig having an overall height,
when operating, of more than 7m or (d) any
fork lift tru c k .

Locomotives

collision with any other vehicle which might

have caused major injury.

Pipelines

damage to a pipeline, uncontrolled escape

of anything from a pipeline, or failure of
equipment, which might have caused death,
major injury, or ill-health, or which caused
the pipeline to be shut down for more than
24 hours;
unintentional ignition of anything in a
pipeline;
d a n g e rous change in the position of a
pipeline, or of the subsoil in the vicinity.

Pressure
systems

failure of any pre s s u revessel, or associated

pipework, which might have caused death.

Scaffolds

collapse or partial collapse of any scaff o l d

which is either more than 5m high and
results in a substantial part of the scaff o l d i n g
falling or overt u rning, or which is ere c t e d
over water so that there would be a risk of
persons dro w n i n g ;
collapse or partial collapse of the
suspension arrangements of a slung or
suspended scaffold, causing the platform or
cradle to fall.

Structures

unintended collapse of any stru c t u re under

c o n s t ruction, alteration or demolition,
involving the fall of more than 5 tonnes of
material; also collapse of the floor or wall of
a building used as a place of work, or of
any falsework.

The following are re p o rtable only in relation to quarries:

Blasting
explosion of blasting material or device
causing injury which necessitates first aid
(does not include accidents notifiable under
RIDDOR), misfire s ;
p rojection of any substance beyond a
q u a rry boundary as a result of blasting,
w h e re a person was, or might have been,
endangered.
Storage
bunkers

collapse of any storage bunker.

Tips

movement of material, fire or any other

indication that a tip may be insecure, or
which might cause death, or adversely
a ffect any building, public utility, public
place, etc.

Mobile
plant

Waterborne
craft or
hovercraft

1 - 16

explosion or fire in dump trucks (over 50

tonnes capacity) or excavators (having
bucket capacity over 5 cu. m) resulting in
stoppage of the plant for more than 24
hours and which affects a place of work or
egress from it.

F u rther details are contained in Schedule 2, Parts I and III of

RIDDOR.
D a n g e rous occurrences relating to mines and railways
a re listed in Parts II and IV respectively of Schedule 2.

Diseases
As far as employees are concerned, a disease need be
reported only when a written diagnosis of a scheduled
disease is received from a doctor and where the person
s u ffering currently has a job in which that disease is a
known risk. In the case of a reportable disease being contracted by a self-employed person, a written diagnosis is not
required. However, if a self-employed person is informed by
a doctor that he/she is suffering from such a disease, that
person (or someone acting on his/her behalf, must report it.
Full details of reportable diseases and associated work
activities are contained in Schedule 3 of RIDDOR, but the
following are some which may be encountered in
construction:
Disease

Work activity

Poisonings
Cadmium
Lead

welding, brazing, soldering.

cutting, burning, welding, soldering.

Infections
Anthrax
Tetanus
Leptospirosis
Legionellosis
Skin diseases
Folliculitis
Acne
Skin Cancer

work on contaminated sites.

work in sewers.
work on cooling systems.
exposure to mineral oil, tar or pitch.

Radiation skin
injury

work with ionising radiation.

Occupational
dermatitis

exposure to expoxy resins, cement,

plaster, concrete, organic solvents.

Lung diseases
Occupational
asthma
Pneumoconiosis
Mesothelioma
Lung cancer
Asbestosis
Other conditions
Blood cancer
Blood dyserasia
Malignant bone
disease

exposure to isocyanites, epoxy re s i n

curing agents, rosin, wood dust.
sand blasting, use of grindstone,
d ressing of granite.
work with asbestos.

work with ionising radiation.

Decompression
sickness
Bartrauma
Disbaric
osteonecrosis

work with compressed air. sickness

Vibration white
finger
Carpal tunnel
syndrome

use of hand-held percussive or vibrating

tools.

sinking or overt u rning.

Beat hand, beat
knee, beat elbow

manual work.

December 1996

Duty to re p o rt injuries, dangerous occurrences and diseases

The duty to re p o rt rests with the responsible person, as indicated below:
R e p o rtable event

Responsible Person

Death, specified major injury,

over-3-day injury, or scheduled
disease (including cases of
disease connected with diving
operations)

suffered by an employee

the employer

suffered by a self-employed
person working under the contro l
of a contractor

the person in control of the

premises (i.e. normally the
principal contractor)

Specified major injury, over-3-day

injury, or case of disease

suffered by a self-employed
person in premises under his own
control

the self-employed person (or

someone acting for him)

Death, or injury requiring re m o v a l

from site to hospital for treatment (or
major injury occurring in a hospital)

suffered by a person who is not at

work (e.g. a member of the
public), but who has been aff e c t e d
by the work of someone else

the person in control of the

premises where the accident
happened

A dangerous occurre n c e

the person in control of the

premises

Note The above does not apply to quarries, where the Owner is the responsible person. Reportable events at diving
operations, except cases of disease, must be re p o rted by the diving contractor. A dangerous occurrence involving a dangero u s
substance being conveyed by road must be re p o rted by the Operator of the vehicle and a dangerous occurrence at a pipeline
by the Owner of the pipeline.

Method of re p o rt i n g
A death, major injury or dangerous occurrence must be
reported to the enforcing authority by the quickest possible
means. This can now be done via a central re p o rting centre
known as the Incident Contact Centre.
By Phone: 0845 300 9923
By Fax:
0845 300 9924
On the Intern e t :
www.riddor.gov.uk
By Post:
Incident Contact Centre
Caerphilly Business Park
Caerphilly
CF83 3GG
You can re p o rt by telephone, by completing an F2508
and faxing it, or you can complete and submit an F2508 on
the RIDDOR website. Whichever method of re p o rting you
choose you will be given a unique re f e rence number for your
own re c o rds.
An injury to a person not at work, which re q u i res removal
to hospital for treatment, must be similarly re p o rted.
Injuries, which result in more than three days absence
from work, do not have to be reported immediately. You
have 10 days from the date of the accident to re p o rt the
accident. You can submit details of the injury by telephone,
fax or via the Internet to the Incident Contact Centre .
Cases of disease, which are reportable under RIDDOR
and are re p o rted on an F2508A can also be submitted via
the incident contact centre .
If you re p o rt an incident to the Incident Contact Centre you
are no longer re q u i red to submit an F2508 by post within
10 days. The Incident Contact Centre will send you an
F2508 containing the details that you submitted to them.
You should retain a copy of the F2508 for your own re c o rd s .
If at any time you are re q u i red to provide information to HSE
about the incident you should give your unique re f e re n c e
number and show the F2508 you received from the Incident
Contact Centre .
Forms F.2508 and F.2508A are available from HSE
Books, but copyright has been waived so that firms may
re p roduce the forms. Standard details (e.g. the firm s name
December 2002

and address in Section B of Form F.2508) may also be

overprinted. This dispensation does not permit any changes
to the official form, which must remain a standard document.
Report forms are also available on floppy disk.

Additional re q u i rements for quarr i e s

Where there is a nominated representative of the
workforce, the Quarry Owner must immediately notify that
nominated person of any death, major injury or condition,
or dangerous occurrence and provide that person with a
copy of the relevant Form F.2508 within seven days. The
Quarry Owner must similarly notify the nominated person if
a major injury subsequently results in death.
Unless certain conditions are satisfied, the scene of a
death, major injury, or dangerous occurrence, must not be
disturbed for at least three days, or until visited by an
inspector.

Records
The responsible person must keep the following minimum
re c o rds related to reportable injuries, dangerous
o c c u rrences and diseases:
Deaths, reportable injuries and dangerous
occurrences
1. Date and time of incident.
2. For an accident suff e red by a person at work: full name,
occupation and nature of injury.
3. For an accident suff e red by a person not at work: full
name (where this can be ascertained), status (e.g.
visitor, bystander), nature of injury.
4. Place where incident occurre d .
5. Brief description of the circumstances.
6. Date incident first re p o rted to enforcing authority.
7. Method of re p o rting.
Diseases
1. Date of diagnosis of disease.
2. Name and occupation of person affected.

1 - 17

3.
4.
5.

Name or nature of disease.

Date disease first re p o rted to enforcing authority.
Method of re p o rting.

No form is specified for keeping these records and

information may be stored on computer, provided details
can be retrieved and printed out. A separate re c o rd may be
p re f e rred by some companies, but the retention of
photocopies of forms F.2508 or F.2508A is sufficient. In the
case of injuries, suitable entries in the Accident Book (BI
510) will suffice.
Records must be kept for at least three years and must be
made available to the enforcing authority (also to a
nominated representative, in the case of a quarry), if
requested.

Exclusions
Accidents involving vehicles moving on public roads are
covered by the Road Traffic Act 1988. RIDDOR will apply
only where the injured person:
1. received the injury due to exposure to a substance
c a rried by the vehicle,
2. was either himself engaged in loading or unloading the
vehicle, or suff e red the injury as a result of another
person carrying out such work, or
3. was either himself engaged in work on, over, under or
adjacent to a road, or suff e red injury as a result of
another person carrying out such work.

E n f o rcing authorities
The enforcing authority for events involving the construction
industry is normally the Health and Safety Executive. The
enforcing authority for Company offices is the Local
Authority.
The Incident Contact Centre will receive information and
details on all re p o rtable injuries, dangerous occurrences and
diseases so you no longer need to identify who is the
enforcing authority for the activity concerned or which off i c e
you should send relevant forms to. The Incident Contact
C e n t rewill notify the relevant authority on your behalf.

Accident Book

Under the requirements of The Social Security (Claims and

Payments) Regulations employers are required to keep an
accident book, which must be kept readily available. Details
must be entered of every accident causing personal injury to
any employee. The entry should normally be made by the
employee or by anyone acting on their behalf, in the event
that the employee is unable to insert the entry. The employer
is also re q u i red to investigate the circumstances of every
accident.
Completion of the accident book does not meet the
employer's obligation to report specific accidents and
d a n g e rous occurrences to the HSE by telephone or on an

1 - 18

approved form .
T h e re is no longer a specified 'accident book' (BI 510)
and as long as all the relevant details are correctly entere d
and the proper records are maintained, any book or
e l e c t ronic method may be used providing the information is
readily available in hard copy and the format is appro v e d
by the relevant Secre t a ry of State. The old style Accident
Book BI 510 may still be used and two approved versions
a re available from Construction Industry Publications, a
s t a n d a rd 'accident book' and a 'duplicate accident book',
which provides a copy to be sent to head off i c e .

Reporting within the firm

F i rms must decide how far they wish to go with internal
re c o rd keeping, depending on their size and the facilities
available. Many small firms find it sufficient to base their
surveys of injuries on reportable accidents but this can give
rise to the situation where re p o rtable accidents are few, yet
the non-re p o rtable are causing significant losses. Other firm s
may limit detailed in-company re p o rting to those accidents
which result in a man being absent from his normal work for
one day or more after the accident, incidents which result in
damage to expensive plant and equipment, and to the
potentially more serious near-misses. However, if detailed
re c o rds of all injuries requiring first aid are kept, together
with re c o rds of all damage to plant and equipment, a useful
body of information can be compiled. Additionally, to be of
genuine value, main contractors need to keep re c o rds of all
injuries occurring on their sites, including those to subcontractors employees.
Examples of accident and damage report forms are
given on p.1-19/20. It is suggested that the whole of the
forms are completed at site level, although parts of the
contributory factors sections may be best left pending
investigation by the Safety Adviser.
The accident re p o rt form illustrated deals only with injury
or condition information. The retention of copies of relevant
F o rms F.2508 and F.2508A will normally provide sufficient
information on dangerous occurrences and scheduled
diseases for analysis purposes. The damage re p o rt form will
p rovide additional information on incidents not classified as
d a n g e rous occurre n c e s .
Report forms should be forw a rded promptly to head
o ffice, where one person should be given the responsibility
for keeping the re c o rds and for carrying out analysis and
costing. This person will be the Company Safety Adviser,
where there is one but, alternatively, it might be the
Company Secretary or Personnel Manager. Other
departments, particularly the insurance department, will
need to receive copies of the re p o rts. Contractors must also
inform the principal contractor. (see OC-17 Regulation
19(1)(e)).
The analysis of accident information, and the uses to
which it can be put, are covered on pages 1-22/23.

December 2002

DAMAGE REPORT FORM

Contract......................................................................................................................................................................
Plant and equipment affected.........................................................................................................................................
Serial numbers or identifying marks................................................................................................................................
Owner of plant or equipmen.t ........................................................................................................................................
Place, date and time of incident .....................................................................................................................................
C i rcumstances of incident..............................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................
Details of damage........................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................
Names of operators involved (if not Company employees, also give details of sub-contractorsconcern e d ). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
..................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................
We re normal working methods used? .............................................................................................................................
Contributory causes of incident ......................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................
Names of witnesses......................................................................................................................................................
(attach statements) ........................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................
P reventative action proposed or taken ............................................................................................................................

S i g n a t u re of Site Agent or Manager .......................................................................Date ................................................

September 1996

1 - 19

PERSONNEL ACCIDENT REPORT FORM

Division/Dept (if applicable)..........................................................................................................................................
Contract......................................................................................................................................................................
Full name and address of injured person (IP) ...................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................
Occupation of IP .....................................................................................Age of IP........................................................
Employed by (state if self-employed or under training) ......................................................................................................
Trade of sub-contractor (where applicable)......................................................................................................................

P a rticulars of accident:
Date and time of accident .............................................................................................................................................
Exact place where accident happened ...........................................................................................................................
What was IP doing at time of accident?..........................................................................................................................
Did IP cease work? ...............................................................First aid or hospital tre a t m e n t ? ............................................
Time lost (state if IP is still off work) .................................................................................................................................
Brief description of accident, giving dimensions where applicable .....................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................
Details of tools, equipment, plant or machinery................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................
What protective clothing/equipment was being worn/used by IP? ....................................................................................
N a t u re of injury and part of the body injured, e.g. punctured foot, hand, broken leg...........................................................

C o n t r i b u t o ryfactors:
Unsafe system of work YES/NO ....................................................................................................................................
Lack of training, supervision etc YES/NO .......................................................................................................................
E n v i ronmental conditions (wind, rain, ice, etc) YES/NO ...................................................................................................
State of equipment (faulty brakes, damaged lifting gear, etc.) YES/NO..............................................................................
Housekeeping (untidy access, nails in timber, etc.) YES/NO .............................................................................................
Other..........................................................................................................................................................................
*Delete as appropriate and give details

Names and addresses of witnesses ................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................
If re p o rt a b l e :
Date and time HSE informed by telephone .....................................................................................................................
Date Form F.2508 sent ................................................................................................................................................
P reventative action taken or proposed ............................................................................................................................
S i g n a t u re of Site Agent or Manager ................................................Date........................................................................

1 - 20

December 1986

INVESTIGATION OF ACCIDENTS
Definition

The investigation

An accident is an unplanned and unexpected

o c c u rrence, which upsets a planned sequence of work,
resulting in loss of production, injury to personnel and/or
damage to plant and equipment. Some accidents resulting in
personal injury and all dangerous occurrences (as defined
in the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous
Occurrences Regulations 1995) have to be re p o rted to the
enforcing authority (see p.15/18).
Ideally, the causes of all accidents should be established,
re g a rdless of whether injury or damage results. Where
necessary, a full investigation should be carried out. A
re c o rd of their classification, by cause, should be
maintained. This will enable appropriate preventive action
to be taken should a pattern of causation emerg e .

It is vital that all accidents are investigated as quickly as

possible. The longer the delay, the less likely it is that the tru e
facts will be ascert a i n e d .
Who should investigate the accident? For the
investigation to be worthwhile; it is essential that the
management and the workforce are fully involved.
Depending on the level of investigation (and the size of
business), supervisors, line managers, health and safety
p rofessionals, union safety representatives, employee
re p resentatives and senior management/directors may all
be involved. Members of the investigation team should have
detailed knowledge of the work activities involved and be
familiar with health and safety good practice, standards and
legal re q u i rements. The investigation team must include
people who have the necessary investigating skills (e.g.
information gathering, interviewing evaluating and
analysing). The team must be provided with sufficient time
and re s o u rces to enable them to carry out the investigation
effectively.
Witnesses should always be put at ease before being
questioned. Where the investigation is being jointly carr i e d
out, the person can be assured that the objective is to
a s c e rtain the cause in order to prevent others being injure d ,
or placed at risk, and not to find a scapegoat. It might be
better for witnesses to be informally interviewed at their
n o rmal workplace, rather than bring them into the form a l
atmosphere of the committee room or managers office.
W h e re the questioning of witnesses takes place in a form a l
a t m o s p h e re a very conscious eff o rt must be made to put
them at ease and encourage them to talk freely about the
situation. Witnesses should not be requested to sign
statements where the objective is solely to prevent a
re c u rrence, although signed statements may well be
needed where the investigation has objectives involving the
possibility of civil or criminal court proceedings. It is
important that the scene of the accident should not be
disturbed, except to the extent necessary to effect rescue or
to stabilise and render the area safe until a full investigation
has been undertaken. The fullest photographic re c o rd of
the incident should be made as early as possible,
particularly where the situation has to be altered in
order to make it safe. Where the accident or
d a n g e rous occurrence is to be immediately re p o rted to the
HSE or other enforcing authority, the Inspector concern e d
may re q u i rethe circumstances to be left until the examination
of the equipment, plant, temporary stru c t u re etc. has been
made.

Objectives
There are legal requirements for investigating accidents
to ensure that you are operating your organisation within the
law. The Investigating Accidents and Incidents (Health &
Safety Guidance) HSG 245 2004 is a workbook/step-bystep guide to health and safety investigations for employees,
unions, safety re p resentatives and safety professionals. This
is in addition to the existing Management of Health & Safety
Regulations 1999, regulation 5, which requires employers to
plan, organise, control, monitor and review health and
safety arrangements. Health and safety investigations form
part of this process. Safety Representatives have a right
under the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees
Regulations 1977, to investigate notifiable accidents,
o c c u rrences and diseases and the Health and Safety
Commission has clearly recommended that such
investigations should be jointly undertaken by management
re p resentatives and T.U. Safety Representatives. Other
investigations may need to be undertaken separately by
management or union appointed safety re p resentatives and
the results remain confidential. It is, there f o re, important that
the objectives for undertaking joint investigations should be
clearly determined to guide those involved.
Some objectives for investigating accidents, etc. are : 1.

to determine the cause(s) with a view to preventing a

recurrence

2.

to gather information for use in any criminal or civil

proceedings

3.

to confirm or refute a claim for industrial injury benefit

4.

to pre p a re notifications to be made to the HSE or other

enforcing agency.

Too often, those investigating accidents are obsessed

with the need to blame someone. This should never be
the aim as it obscures the main objective, which is to
find and deal with the fundamental cause of the occurre n c e .
This is not to suggest that a joint investigation may
not, on occasion, find there has been a blatant
f a i l u re to comply with a properly given and understood
i n s t ruction, which may require management to take
disciplinary action. This, however, will be found to be
the exception rather than the rule and, even in such
circumstances, perhaps the personnel selection pro c e d u re s
should be re v i e w e d .

A thorough investigation into an accident should provide

management with answers to the following seven questions:
WHAT caused the accident?
WHO was involved?
WHEN did it occur?
WHERE did it occur?
WHY did it occur?
HOW could it have been pre v e n t e d ?
HOW can a re c u rrence be pre v e n t e d ?
If all seven questions cannot be answered, then it may be
necessary to re-examine certain witnesses with a view to
obtaining further information.
During an investigation, consideration should be given in
establishing whether:1.
2.

December 2004

any specified system of work had been established and

if so whether it was safe and adhered to
the work was undertaken in accordance with good
established practice

1 - 21

3.
4.

5.
6.
7.

adequate instructions and training were given to the

operative responsible for doing the work which resulted
in the accident and whether these were followed
plant and equipment used:
(a) was suitable for the work being carried out
(b) was in good condition and fitted with any
necessary guard s
(c) had, provided by the supplier, designer etc.,
adequate information to enable it to be used safely
(d) was being adequately supervised and corre c t l y
used in its operation
any tests were necessary, e.g. atmosphere tests and, if
so, whether suitable equipment was to hand, in good
working order and was it used properly?
personal protective equipment was re q u i red. If so, was
it used, was it readily to hand, suitable for use and was
the person properly instructed and/or trained in its use?
environmental conditions, such as general tidiness
of work area, atmosphere, weather, etc. existing
at the time of the accident, etc., may have contributed
to it.
This list of factors, which should be considered when
investigating accidents, is not intended to be
exhaustive. It is a guide to the sort of areas which must
be considered if superficial considerations are not to
cloud judgement of the real causes and result in a
failure to institute effective remedial action.

Subsequent action
Underlying causes of an accident or dangerous
o c c u rrence may well show a need for:
1.

formal procedures to be drawn up for certain work

operations
2. training programmes to be introduced or amended
3. guidelines to be pre p a red for operations which perh a p s
do not justify the preparation of formal pro c e d u res or
training programmes
4. m o re clearly
defining
responsibility and
accountability
5. the introduction of new methods, plant, machinery or
equipment
6. i m p roving or extending preventative maintenance
7. i n t roducing additional check procedures for the special
monitoring of certain operations
8. independent checks to be made of design calculations
9. banning certain work operations in particular weather
conditions
10. i m p roved communications/co-ordination between the
different disciplines.
The cause of an accident should never be classified as
carelessness as the only remedy to a careless act is to be
m o re careful in the future. If carelessness was involved then it
is essential to be specific and define the careless act (e.g.
used damaged ladder; did not use eye protection pro v i d e d ,
etc.)
It does not necessarily follow that, if an investigation
p roduces evidence of a need to improve, extend or
i n t roduce something new in any of the above areas of
activity, someone is at fault. New experience, impro v e d
techniques, new technology, etc. may have been identified
which might otherwise have been undiscovered or thought
inapplicable. Health and Safety is not a once and for all
e x e rcise but an ongoing and developing activity.

1 - 22

ACCIDENT ANALYSIS
Information obtained from company report forms (see
p.1-20) needs to be analysed in order to identify problem
a reas. Analyses should be carried out at regular intervals
and there should be an annual re v i e w.

Classification
The accident information needs first to be sorted into
selected categories and stored. These tasks, and subsequent
analysis, may be carried out manually, but larger firms, in
particular, will wish to use computers and the increasing
range of software which is becoming available.
Accidents may be classified in various ways, the most
common being by type. For comparison purposes, many
companies will wish to use the following type
classifications from which the Health and Safety Executive
p roduce national statistics:
Contact with moving machinery, or machinery being
moved.
S t ruck by moving (including flying or falling) object
S t ruck by moving vehicle
S t ruck against something fixed or stationary
I n j u redwhilst handling, lifting or carrying
Slip, trip or fall on the same level
Fall from a height
Trapped by something collapsing or overturning
Drowning or Asphyxiation
E x p o s u reto or contact with a harmful substance
E x p o s u reto fire
E x p o s u reto an explosion
Contact with electricity or an electrical discharg e
I n j u redby an animal
Other kinds of accident
It is important to identify all the factors involved in
accidents and such factors, or agents, should also be
re c o rded for analysis. Agents used by the Health and Safety
Executive in their analyses are :
Machinery/equipment for lifting and conveying
P o rtable power or hand tools
Any vehicle or associated equipment/machinery
Other machinery
P rocess plant, pipework or bulk storage
Any material, substance or product being handled, used
or store d
Gas, vapour, dust, fume, or oxygen deficient atmosphere
Pathogen or infected material
Live animal
Moveable container or package of any kind
Floor, ground, stairs, or any working surface
Building, engineering structure, or excavation
u n d e rg round working
Ladder or scaff o l d i n g
C o n s t ruction formwork, shuttering and falsework
Electricity supply cable, wiring, apparatus or
equipment
E n t e rtainment or sporting facilities or equipment
Any other agent
Other forms of classification which may provide useful
i n f o rmation are :
1. by materials, plant or equipment involved,
2. by nature and site of injury. This may produce a pattern
which indicates a need for protective clothing or equipment,
3. by age group. This may reveal a training or supervisory
need,
4. by trade or type of work,
5. by number in the work group, which may indicate a
management or supervisory need.
December 2004

Presentation
H.M. Factory Inspectorate national statistics are
presented as incidence rates of fatal, major and over 3-day
injuries.
Companies may express the results of accident analysis
in various ways, eg:
1.
2.
3.

4.

as total numbers of diff e rent classifications over a given

period,
particular classifications may be expressed as
percentages of total accidents,
as a frequency rate, eg:
number of injuries
x 1,000,000
man-hours worked
as an incidence rate, eg:
number of injuries
x 100,000
average number employed

As tables and figures can be difficult to appreciate it is

suggested that pictorial ways of presenting the results of
analysis are used within a company. For example, bar
c h a rts depicting changing accident rates over a period of
time, will clearly illustrate any trends, and pie-charts may be
used to show proportions of various injury classifications.
Used pro p e r l y, accident analysis can be of invaluable
assistance in monitoring the effectiveness of a company
safety policy. Trends towards increased numbers of injuries
or an increased pro p o rtion of one accident type, for the
company as a whole, or for an individual site, can be
spotted early. Investigation may then be carried out into the
root causes, e.g. lack of training or supervision, unsuitable
or defective plant, or unsafe systems of work.
The results of accident analysis should be made widely
known within a company to emphasise the inherent risks and
to encourage the taking of necessary pre c a u t i o n s .

COST OF ACCIDENTS, INJURIES AND

ILL HEALTH
Many factors combine to make it difficult to re l i a b l y
estimate the total costs of occupational accidents, injuries
and ill health. Employers legal and humanitarian
responsibilities to reduce suffering should determine
a p p ropriate levels of safety and health controls and the
action necessary to achieve those levels.
F a i l u re to identify hazards, accurately assess risks and
apply physical and managerial controls, may result in
injuries, ill health and pro p e rty damage which can, in turn ,
lead to expensive compensation and litigation and/or costs
of replacement, repair and loss of pro d u c t i v i t y.
Speculation that costs of prevention are likely to exceed
costs of compensation and damage can be shown to be
unfounded in the light of recent case studies undertaken by
the HSE. These studies estimated the cost to UK companies of
work-related injuries and ill health at between 5% and 10%
of gross trading profits, which averages between 170 and
360 per person employed at 1990 rates. The studies
revealed a much higher incidence of injuries and non-injury
accidental events in Construction than in any of the other
industries which were included in the case studies. This leads
to a conclusion that losses sustained by construction
companies are amongst the highest in the UK.
That part of the studies which was specific to Constru c t i o n
showed that non-injury accidental events alone cost 323
million at 1990 prices of which approximately one third was
attributed to lost materials. Also, the ratio of administration
costs arising from injuries and ill health to other costs, was
higher in Construction than in the other industries taking part
in the studies.
One of the case studies was carried out over a period
December 2004

of 18 weeks on the construction site for a supermarket. The

contract was valued at 8 million and 29 sub-contractors were
engaged under a subsidiary of an international building and
civil engineering company acting as main contractor. For the
purposes of the study, an accident was defined as any
unplanned event that resulted in injury or ill health of people,
or damage or loss to property, plant, materials or the
environment, or a loss of business opportunity. 3626 such
accidents were re c o rded during the eighteen weeks and
resulted in direct financial losses of 87,507. Loss of
opportunity costs, mainly wages paid during periods of no
p roduction, amounted to a further 157,568 making a total
loss of 245,075. Losses on this scale extrapolated to the
full duration of the contract would have been approximately
700,000 or about 8.5% of the tender price. These losses
a rose entirely from 56 minor injuries and 3570 pro p e rt y
damage accidents, since the site was completely free fro m
statutorily reportable injuries and dangerous occurre n c e s
during the period of study.
One of the property damage accidents, costing only
214, consisted of a five storey column falling over.
However this incident might have been catastrophic resulting
in death or serious injury. Six of the property damage
accidents involved losses of nearly 500 but again, serious
injury or death might have occurred resulting in awards of
substantial damages. The study also claimed that 594
accidents, as defined above, resulted from lack of
supervision resulting in costs of 26,384.
Measuring the costs of accidents, injuries and ill health
remains a complex matter and, despite all the work done by
the Accident Prevention Advisory Unit of HSE and the
Department of Employment, there is still no generally
accepted methodology for costing accidents, injuries and ill
health. However, the methodology used in the studies is
consistent with the treatment of the cost of non-compliance in
quality costings. This adds authority and reliability to the
findings of the study and points a way for industry to adopt
similar methods.
In construction, insured costs, re p resented by employers
liability, public/third party liability and contractors all risks
policies, are judged to re p resent only one twelfth of total
costs. Some of the uninsured costs may be made up fro m
product and material damage, plant and building damage,
tool and equipment damage, legal costs, emerg e n c y
supplies, site clearance, production delays, overtime working
and temporary labour, investigation time, supervisors time
d i v e rted from normal duties, clerical eff o rts, fines, loss of
e x p e rtise/experience and penalties for overrunning contract
times. The ratio of insured to uninsured costs varies fro m
industry to industry and, to a lesser extent, from company to
company within construction. Nevertheless the 1:11 ratio for
c o n s t ruction can be used as a rough and ready guide to
possible total costs in the Construction Industry.
Costs of occupational ill health have been calculated
quite comprehensively on a national basis but not by
individual industries. However, statistics show that, out of a
total of 487,000 days lost due to all cases of ill health in
c o n s t ruction, 326,000 days are lost each year due to work-
related ill health.
Many of the loss categories applied to injuries above will
apply to absence due to ill health and must amount to a
considerable sum of money. Clearly a strong economic
argument exists for the proper management of health and
safety.

References
HSE Booklet HS(G)96: The cost of accidents at work
ISBN 0 7176 13437 (Revised1997)
The Costs to the British Economy of Work Accidents and
Work-related Ill health; Neil V Davies and Paul Teasdale
(ISBN 0 7176 0666 X) (1994)

1 - 23

SAFETY INCENTIVE SCHEMES

Introduction
It is sometimes claimed that incentive schemes indicate an
admission of a company s failure to implement its own safety
policy. However, the introduction of a suitable scheme can
a rouse the interest in safety and health which is so often
lacking and which is essential in the implementation of any
safety policy.
With most schemes, it is necessary to encourage
p a rticipation by offering an award to the winner or winning
team. This can be monetary, or take the form of a tro p h y,
such as an inscribed shield or tankard. The provision of such
a w a rds can be cost effective if a reduction in lost-time
accidents is achieved.
It is essential that any scheme is given sufficient publicity
within a company, both to promote the scheme and to
announce the results. Winners should be personally
congratulated by the relevant Director or Manager.
Incentive schemes fall into two main categories, those
designed to encourage participation from individual
employees and those which foster competition between sites,
or divisions of a company.

Individual schemes
Individual schemes are often associated with the wearing
of protective e equipment. One such scheme is for all
operatives on site to have their names entered in a weekly
draw. When the draw is made, the individual is located
and, if he is wearing the required item of clothing or
equipment, he is presented with a cash award. This type of
scheme tends to have a short-lived effect, unless the prize is
sufficiently attractive, and should not be run on a long-term
basis. It is also time consuming to organise, as the draw
needs to be made on diff e rent days and at diff e rent times
each week.
A more effective type of scheme is a monthly competition,
w h e re all operatives on site receive a paper asking a few
straightforward questions based, for example, on the
Company Safety Policy or Site Safety Rules. Completed
question papers are forw a rded to the scheme administrator
by a certain date and the operative who sends in the first
correct entry to be opened receives a cash prize. A similar
scheme, with more advanced questions, can be run for
supervisors and this can help to generate interest at all levels
on site.

Site/division schemes
Safety competitions between sites or divisions of a
company can be based on safety perf o rmance over a set
period, or on safety Quizzes to test the knowledge of
representative individuals or teams. Both types of
competition are designed to promote interest and
involvement in safety and health. Safety quizzes have the
added advantage of introducing a significant element of
training.
Safety perf o rmance competitions
Competitions are usually administered by the Safety
D e p a rtment and are based on safety perf o rmance over a
year. Some operate on a positive points system, as in the
example on p 1-25. Others use a penalty points system so
that the site or division with the lowest number of points is

1 - 24

the winner. Penalty points are awarded on a set scale for

such matters as: contraventions of legislation, listed in Safety
Inspection Reports,
failure to rectify defects listed in Safety Inspection
Reports,
stoppage of work by a Safety Adviser,
d a n g e rous occurre n c e s ,
serving of an Improvement or Prohibition Notice,
successful prosecution.
To enable performance to be compared fairly between
sites, it will normally be necessary to introduce a
Complexity or Danger factor, reflecting the type of
work, dangers involved and the numbers employed. Points
awarded will thus be adjusted according to the complexity
of the contract. However, it should be noted that some of the
items on which points are awarded, e.g. failure to rectify
defects, or stoppage of work by a Safety Adviser, would not
be affected by the complexity factor. Complexity factors
should be assigned by the Safety Department and Contracts
Manager and should be reviewed as each contract
progresses.
Competitions are normally run on an annual basis, but
league tables should be published monthly or quarterly to
stimulate interest.
Aw a rds often take the form of a trophy, such as a
shield, to be held by the winning manager for one year.
Personal mementos, such as inscribed tankards, may
also be awarded to the winning manager and other
employees who have made a significant contribution to the
safety standard achieved. The presentation of these awards
should be seen as a major event in the calendar of
the company.

Safety Quizzes
Safety Quizzes are also administered by company
Safety Departments and are normally held at social
gatherings outside working hours.
A typical arrangement is for each site to hold a quiz with
say, four participants, to produce a representative for that
site. The competition then proceeds, at divisional or
company level, to find an ultimate winner. Alternatively, the
competition can be run on a team, rather than an
individual, basis.
Participants are given subject matter to study
based, for example, on Construction legislation and Health
and Safety at Work Act plus, in later rounds, specialist
subjects such as asbestos or accident reporting. Safety
Advisers carry out the task of question master, scorer and
adjudicator.
A well organised quiz is recognised as one of the
most effective incentives to safe working, in that safety
training is provided in such a way that employees are keen
to learn. All levels are involved; Safety Advisers have to
study the subject matter to formulate the questions, the
participants have to study the revision material and the
audience also learns from the question and answer
sessions.
Quizzes are run, not only in company, but on a national
level; the National Construction Safety Quiz involves the
participation of individual companies, Safety Groups and
Colleges.
December 2004

ASSESSMENT FORM SAFETY COMPETITION

Date..........................................................................
Contract........................................................................

ITEM

DESCRIPTION

V.G.

1.

WELFARE: Canteen, toilets,

washing, drying room, site off i c e s ,
first aid facilities

2.

SAFETY EQUIPMENT. Helmets,

goggles, RPE, safety boots, etc.

3.

FIRE PRECAUTIONS: fire risks,

e m e rgency pro c e d u res, LPG.

4.

ELECTRICS: Temporary light, tools,

cables and leads, switchboard .

5.

LADDERS: condition of, security,

angle, extending above landing.

6.

SCAFFOLDING: Ties, guard rails,

toe boards, safety at stop ends,
including handrails for stairs.

7.

PLANT/TOOLS: Cranes, hoists,

excavators, pneumatic and
c a rtridge tools - safe usage.

8.

SITE TIDINESSS: Including stacking

materials, disposal of waste, nails
in timber, etc.

9.

OPENINGS IN FLOORS: Covere d

securely or guard e d

Assessor ....................................................................

GOOD

AV.

FAIR

POOR

REMARKS

10. HEALTH HAZARDS: assessments,

control measure s .
11. EXCAVATION: Timbering,
guarding.
12. SUPERVISORY STAFF: General
attitude and eff o rts made in
promoting safe working conditions
POINTS
ADD AVERAGE FOR ITEM
TOTAL

Points will be awarded as follows:

Reportable Accidents...................................

Very Good
Good
Average
Fair
Poor

Dangerous Occurre n c e s...............................

10
8
6
4
0

Danger Weighting.......................................

The maximum points will be 100. In the event of some items not being marked, there
should be awarded the average of the items which are applicable.

December 2004

1 - 25

DOCUMENTATION
ACTS OF PARLIAMENT, REGULATIONS ETC APPLICABLE TO CONSTRUCTION SITES AND WORKSHOPS
Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act 1920.
Employers Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969.
Employers Liability (Defective Equipment) Act 1969.
Factories Act 1961.
D a n g e rous Substances and Explosive Atmosphere Regulations 2002
F i re Precautions Act 1971.
F i re Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 (S. I. 1997 No. 1840).
Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974
Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983 (S. I. 1983 No. 1649).
Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations 1992 (S. I. 1992 No. 3067).
C a rriage of Dangerous Goods by Road Regulations 1996 (S. I. 1996 No. 2095).
C a rriage of Dangerous Goods (Classification, Packaging and Labelling) and Use of Transportable Pre s s u re Receptacles
Regulations 1996 (S. I. 1996 No. 2092).
C a rriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (Driver Training) Regulations 1996 (S. I. 1996 No. 2094).
C a rriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pre s s u re Equipment Regulations 2004 (S.I.2004 No 568)
Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 1994 (S. I. 1994 No. 3247) as amended by S. I. 1996
Nos. 1092 and 2092.
Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 (S.I. 1997 No. 1713)
Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 1994 (as amended) (S. I. 1994 No. 3140) as amended by S. I. 1996 No. 1592.
Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989 (S. I. 1989 No. 2209) as amended by S. I. 1992 No. 2966.
Construction (Health, Safety and We l f a re) Regulations 1996 (S. I. 1996 No. 1592).
Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 SI 2002/2675
Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 SI2002/2676
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 IS 2002/2677
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004 No.3386)
Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005 No. 1093)Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002
( S.I. 2002 No.2776)
Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 (S. I. 1994 No. 3260).
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (S. I. 1989 No. 635).
Factories Act 1961 etc. (Metrication) Regulations 1983 (S. I. 1983 No. 978).
F i re Certificates (Special Premises) Regulations 1976 ( S.1. 1976 No. 2003).
F reight Containers (Safety Convention) Regulations 1984 (S.1. 1984 No. 1890).
Health & Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996 (S. I. 1996 No. 1513).
Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 (S.1. 1992 No. 2792).
Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority) Regulations 1998 (S.1. 1998 No. 494).
Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations 2004. SI2004/456
Health & Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 (S.1. 1981 No. 917).
Health & Safety Information for Employees Regulations 1989 (S.1. 1989 No. 682) as amended by S. I. 1995 No. 2923.
Health & Safety (Leasing Arrangements) Regulations 1992 (S. I. 1992 No. 1524).
Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (Application outside Great Britain) Order 1995 (S.1. 1995 No. 263).
Health & Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 (S.1. 1996 No. 341) as amended by S.1. 1996 No. 2092.
Health and Safety (Training for Employment) Regulations 1990 (S.1. 1990 No. 1380) as amended by S.1. 1989 No. 1039.

1 - 26

December 2005

Health and Safety (Young Persons) Regulations 1997

lonising Radiations Regulations 1999.
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (S.1. 1998 No. 2307).
M a n u f a c t u reand Storage of Explosives Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005 No. 1082).
Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (S.1. 1992 No. 2051) as amended by S. I. 1994 No. 2865.
Manual Handling Operations Regulations (as amended 2002) (S.1. 1992 No. 2793).
Noise at Work Regulations 1989 (S.1. 1989 No. 1790) as amended by S.1. 1992 No. 2966.
Notification of Installations Handling Hazardous Substances Regulations 1982 (S.1. 1982 No. 1357).
Offshore Installations and Pipeline Works (First Aid) Regulations 1989 (S.1. 1989 No. 1671).
O ffices, Shops and Railways Premises Act 1963 (Metrication) Regulations 1982 (S.1. 1982 No. 827).
Packaging of Explosives for Carriage Regulations 1991(S.I. 1991 No. 2097) as amended by S. I. 1996 No. 2092.
Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002 No. 1144).
P e t roleum - Spirit, (Plastic Containers) Regulations 1982 (S.1. 1982 No. 630).
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (S.I. 1998 No. 2306).
R e p o rting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (S. I. 1995 No. 3163) as amended by S. I. 1996 No. 2092.
Safety Representatives & Safety Committees Regulations 1977 (S. I. 1977 No. 500).
Work at Height Regulations 2005 (S.I 2005 No. 735)
Work in Compressed Air Regulations 1996 (S. I. 1996 No. 1656).
Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 (S. I. 1992 No. 3004) as amended by S. I. 1996 No. 1592.
Working Time Regulations 1998 (S.I, 1998 No. 1833)
O ffices, Shops and Railway Premises Act 1963 modified by S. I. 1974 No. 1943, S. I. 1975 No. 1011, S. I. 1976 No. 2005
S. I. 1992 No. 3004 and S. I. 1998 No. 2306.
Offshore Safety Act 1992.

December 2005

1 - 27

POSTERS, FORMS, NOTIFICATIONS ETC FOR CONSTRUCTION WORK

Mandatory to be Displayed on Site
*Health and Safety Law Poster
F10 notification of Construction Work (where project is notifiable under CDM)
Employers Liability Insurance
R e q u i red on Site
*Accident Book BI510
*When using lifting equipment ROILOLER re p o rts of thorough examination and inspection
*When using scaffolding and excavations - ROIF911 re p o rts of inspection
*When using work equipment - ROIPUWER re c o rds of inspection
When working in confined spaces or carrying out hot work, permit to work regime adopted
For asbestos work ensure risk assessment and plan of work is available.
Waste Transfer Notes, received from waste carrier when waste removed from site
When using a mobile crusher on site check that a Local Authority authorisation accompanies it
Useful to Have on Site
*F2508 (rev) Report of an Injury or Dangerous Occurre n c e
*F2508A (rev) Report of a Case of Disease
* R e c o rd of Personal Protective Equipment Issued
* R e c o rd of Training Pro v i d e d
* S c a ffold Handover Certificates
Notifications, Licenses and Consents
When working within compressed air environment at pre s s u res exceeding 0.15 bar above atmospheric, notification to
HSE at least 14 days before work commences
When working with ionising radiations at least 28 days written notification to HSE when you intend to carry out
radiography for the first time
Work with asbestos - written notification to HSE at least 14 days before work commences, separate notification will be
re q u i red for secondary discoveries.
Notification to HSE of any accident, disease or dangerous occurrence form F2508 & F2508A
Any work on or near foul sewers (especially trunk sewers), underground oil/chemical pipelines or fluid filled electricity cables
at least 7 days prior n o t i f i c a t i o n to the Environment Agency
Waste Carriers Licence when transporting waste from site yourself
Consent to discharge required from Environment Agency to discharge waste water into any controlled water e.g. rivers,
lakes, streams, coastal waters.
Consent to discharge required from local sewage undertakers to discharge waste water into foul drains
Consent obtained from Environment Agency, for any work on any structure in, over or under a main river
Environmental requirements.
*Available from Construction Industry Publications Ltd 0870 078 4400

1 - 28

June 2002

Guide to statutory thorough examinations and inspections on construction sites1

Each of the examinations or inspections listed below must be carried out by a competent person. There is no legal definition of
this term, but it is advisable that the person should have such practical and theoretical knowledge, and actual experience of the
type of machinery and plant which he has to examine, as will enable him to detect relevant defects or weaknesses, and to assess
their importance. As a general guide, tests and examinations before plant or equipment is taken into use are usually carried out
by the manufacturer or erecter, or by an insurance company engineer; periodic examinations are usually carried out by an
insurance company engineer or the contractors own engineers; inspections are usually carried out by the operator or driver of
equipment or by other site staff. It must be emphasised that generally the user of the equipment must ensure that it has been
examined or inspected, and that the person carrying out the work is competent to do so.
Type of plant
equipment or
job involved

Inspection to
be carried out

Results

Legal2
references

Working platform s
and support i n g
stru c t u res (including
scaffolds, suspended
scaffolds, cradles,
mobile platforms,
t restles, gangways,
runs, gantrys,
s t a i rways and
crawling ladders),
bosuns chairs,
abseiling equipment3

B e f o re first use and

at least weekly
thereafter. Also
after alteration or
any event likely to
have affected
s t rength or stability

Work at Height Regn

Schedule 9

Work at Height
Regn 12

Exacavations,
e a rthworks, trenches,
shafts and tunnels
which are supported
(including materials
used for support)

At start of every
shift before work
begins. Also after
any event likely to
have affected stre n g t h
or stability and after
any accidental fall of
material

See HSW
Regn Sched 83

HSW Regn 29
and 30

C o ff e rdams and
caissons (including
materials used for
support)

At start of every
shift before work
begins and after any
event likely to have
a ffected strength or
stability

See HSW
Regn Sched 83

HSW Regn 29
and 30

Work Equipment

When installed or
assembled in new
location.
At suitable intervals.
When exceptional
c i rcustances liable to
a ffect safety

Results of each
inspection to be
re c o rded and kept
until next inspection

PUWER Regn 6

Weekly

Notify employer
of defects which
could become a
danger to persons

LOLER Regn. 9, 10

Lifting Equipment

Thorough
examination

Results

B e f o re being put
into use for first time
by employer unless
new with EC
declaration of
c o n f o rmity or with
c u rrent re p o rt of
t h o rough exaination

Notify employer
immediately about
defects which could
become a danger

Where safety depends

on installation
conditions, after
installation/assembly

Where risk of serious

personal injury, send
re p o rt to enforcing
authority

P re p a re re p o rt in
writing for employer/
h i re company

Prepare re p o rt
in writing

Every 6 months if used

for lifting persons or
accesory for lifting6
Every 12 months in
other cases6
When exceptional
c i rcumstances liable
to affect safety

December 2005

1 - 29

Type of plant
equipment or
job involved

Thorough
examination

Pre s s u re Systems
Systems under
pressure, including
rigid vessels (e.g.
boilers and receivers).
pipework, pipelines
and safety devices
containing: steam (at
any pre s s u re), or
c e rtain other fluids
(e.g. compressed air,
nitrogen and oxygen)
which are at a
pressure of more than
0.5 bar above
atmospheric.
Low pre s s u re
pipelines (e.g. British
Gas) and pre s s u re
systems used in
vehicles are excluded

In accordance with a written

scheme of examination4

Results

Inspection to
be carried out

Results

Written re p o rt
to user or
owner (no
prescribed form )

Legal2
references
PSTGC
Regn 8 and 9

Note 1

For other tests, examinations and inspections in connection with specialised work such as diving, compressed air,
ionising radiations etc refer to the specific regulations dealing with these subjects and, if necessary, seek expert
advice.

Note 2

A b b reviations used:
PSTGC Regn: Pre s s u re Systems & Transportable Gas Containers Regulations 1989
HSW Regn: Construction (Health, Safety & We l f a re) Regulations 1996
PUWER Regn: Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
LOLER Regn: Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998

Note 3

Reports of inspection must be made as re q u i red by HSW Regn 30 (There is no prescribed form).

Note 4

The user of an installed system and the owner of a mobile system must ensure that a written scheme for periodic
examination is pre p a red (normally by the designer or manufacture r ) .

Note 5

I n f o rmation about the inspections re q u i red under PUWER is given on page OF-17.

Note 6

The frequency quoted is based on the regulations and on recommendations from the HSE. Employers have the
option of carrying out thorough examinations in accordance with an examination scheme pre p a red by a
competent person. Further information about the inspections and thorough examinations re q u i red under LOLER is
given on page 9-13.

Acknowledgement is made to the Health and Safety Executive for the provision of the above information.

1 - 30

June 2001

SYNOPSIS OF OTHER LEGISLATION

Work in Compressed Air Regulations 1996
The Regulations apply to persons working in chambers
and airlocks used for compression or decompression in
pre s s u res exceeding 0.15 bar. The main re q u i rements are as
follows:
1.

Principal contractors must appoint a competent

contractor to execute or supervise work. The principal
contractor can appoint himself provided he is
competent.

2.

The compressed air contractor must give at least 14

days notice to the HSE before work commences. If this
is not practicable, due to an emergency, notice is to be
given as soon as reasonably practicable and before
work commences. Notice must also be given in writing
to:
a) a relevant hospital,
b) the local ambulance and fire service, and
c) other establishments with an operable medical
lock. Everyone who has been given notice must be
informed of completion or suspension of work.

3.

4.

The compressed air contractor must ensure that work

does not take place until a safe system of work has
been implemented.
Sufficient supervision must be present at all times
during execution of work and for 24 hours thereafter for
work in 0.7 bar or above.
The compressed air contractor must ensure that all plant
and ancillary equipment is suitable, adequate and
maintained and, if used to contain compressed air in
excess of 0.15 bar, it must be:a) examined and tested before work commences,
and
b) re-examined and re-tested after modification or
alteration.

5.

A contract medical adviser must be appointed to advise

on relevant health aspects.

6.

Employees must have adequate medical surveillance

before working in compressed air and at intervals not
exceeding 12 months.
Health re c o rds are to be maintained and copies kept
on a suitable form for at least 40 years from the last
entry.
When employees cease work on a project they
should be given copies of relevant re c o rds.

7.

The compressed air contractor must ensure that

compression or decompression of any person is carr i e d
out in accordance with any pro c e d u res approved by
the HSE.
No person should be subjected to a pre s s u re
exceeding 3.5 bar, or to the pro c e d u re of decanting,
except in an emerg e n c y

8.

Adequate re c o rds of exposure must be maintained on a

suitable form and kept for 40 years from the last entry.
When employees have ceased work on a project they
should be given relevant details of exposure .

9.

Suitable medical facilities must be provided and

maintained for persons who work in compressed air.
For work undertaken at a pre s s u re of 0.7 bar or above,
the facilities must include:a) a medical lock,
b) a person competent to operate the lock, and
c) a person competent to give medical assistance.
W h e re work at 1.0 bar or above is undertaken,
operation of the lock and medical assistance must be
carried out by a person specifically appointed for such
purposes.

June 2001

10. Work should not commence unless there are suitable

and sufficient emergency arrangements. The following
must be complied with:
a) P rovision of any necessary emergency procedures,
routes, exits and lighting (see Section 3).
b) P rovision and maintenance of a sufficient number
of suitable means of access.
c) P rovision and maintenance of a suitable means of
raising the alarm.
d) The maintenance of airlocks in such a condition as
to be fit to receive persons in the event of an
emergency.
11. Means of fighting fire must be provided for work in
c o m p ressed air. Airlocks or working chambers must be
operated and maintained to minimise the risk of fire .
Persons must not smoke in compressed air.
12. The compressed air contractor must give adequate
i n s t ruction, information and training to persons working
in compressed air.
13. The compressed air contractor must check that persons
who work in compressed air are fit to do so and
persons who are re q u i red to work in compressed air
must inform the compressed air contractor if they are
unfit to do so.
14. Persons must not work in compressed air if impaired by
drink or drugs, and alcohol must not be consumed in
c o m p ressed air.
15. Suitable welfare facilities must be provided and
maintained for persons who work in compressed air
(see Section 3).
16. Persons working at 0.7 bar or above must be supplied
with a badge, label or similar device to give guidance
if taken ill and it should be worn for 24 hours after
leaving work in compressed air.
Note The pre s s u res in bar quoted above, refer to
pressures above the surrounding atmospheric pre s s u re.
Further guidance is given in HSE booklet L96 A guide
to the Work in Compressed Air Regulations 1996.

Food Safety Act 1990

This Act provides for various offenses, such as
selling food which does not comply with food safety requirements, and allows for improvement notices and prohibition
o rders to be issued by local authorities. The Act also pro v i d e s
for new regulations or amendment of existing legislation.
The Food Premises (Registration) Regulations 1991
re q u i re all catering premises, including site canteens, where
catering staff are employed to pre p a re and serve food, to
register with the relevant local authority.
The Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations
1995 re q u i re that food preparation, processing, storing,
handling and sale, etc. is carried out in a hygienic manner.
A food safety assessment must be carried out to identify the
c o n t rol measures necessary to reduce any risks to hygiene.
The Regulations contain specific re q u i rements relating to
food premises and equipment, including provision of the
following:
adequate hand-washing facilities,
adequate, ventilated, flush sanitary conveniences in a
room not leading directly into a food are a ,
adequate changing facilities for food handlers,
adequate lighting and ventilation,
effective drainage systems,
facilities for cleaning and disinfecting equipment and for
washing food,

1 - 31

 suitable storage facilities to protect food from

contamination and deterioration, including protection
against pests.
Food handlers must be given suitable supervision,
i n s t ruction and/or training appropriate to their work
activity and level of responsibility. All food handlers must
maintain a high standard of personal hygiene and wear
suitable protective clothing; they must report any infectious
condition.
The Food Safety (Temperature Control) Regulations 1995
lay down that, in general, certain foods, such as meat, fish,
eggs and cheese, must be kept at a temperature of 8C or
below. It is essential, there f o re, that refrigerators are kept in
good working ord e r, that a thermometer is kept in each
refrigerator and that daily checks of temperatures are
c a rried out. It should be noted that a refrigerator temperature
some two degrees lower than that specified will be needed
to combat door opening. The Regulations also specify a
minimum temperature of 63C at which hot food may be
kept.
Some site canteens may be regarded as movable
p remises and be subject to the Food Hygiene (Market. Stalls
and Delivery Vehicles) Regulations 1966, as amended. The
re q u i rements of these regulations for cleanliness, hygiene
and temperature control are virtually the same as those of the
Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) and Food Safety
(Te m p e r a t u reControl) Regulations.
Small site huts where contractors gather to consume their
own food and drink do not come within the scope of the
above re g u l a t i o n s .

f o rm M & Q Form No. 202. (b) Within two weeks of the

beginning of operations for the purposes of opening a
q u a rry, notification must be submitted to the HSE area off i c e
on the prescribed form M & Q Form No.213.

Mines and Quarries Act 1954

Training All persons engaged in quarrying operations

must either have received adequate instruction and training in
their duties or they must be under the supervision of a competent person. The training should include not only the job
holders duties and dangers associated with such duties, but
also the contingency pro c e d u res and plans for untoward
incidents.

In recent years the construction industry has made

increasing use of quarries, borrow pits and tips to
supplement their building and civil engineering construction
p rojects. This is particularly true of the construction of major
roadworks where the contractor carries out his own
extraction and hauling, crushing, screening, etc., of
materials and, in these circumstances, the contractor will
generally by regarded as the owner of the quarry for the
purposes of the Mines and Quarries Act.
Although this type of work comes under the Mines and
Q u a rries Act, Health and Safety at Work Act legislation,
such as MHSW, COSHH, and regulations concerning noise,
electricity, work equipment, etc., will apply to activities
within quarries. In particular, the Quarries Miscellaneous
Health and Safety Provisions Regulations 1995 include a
duty on the quarry owner to ensure the preparation of a
Health and Safety document (see below).
Type of work The first consideration should be to
d e t e rmine whether the proposed , working arrangements
will be governed by the provisions for construction work or
whether they will be deemed work of a quarrying or tipping
n a t u re. Excavation work for the purpose of removing and
using materials and any tipping of quarry refuse will
generally come under the jurisdiction of mines and quarr i e s
legislation. However, if there is any doubt the matter should
be resolved by contacting the specialist Quarry Inspector via
the HSE area office.
General duties T h e re is a general duty on the quarry
owner to ensure that the quarry is managed and worked
within the requirements imposed by the relevant statutory
p rovisions and to make adequate financial provision for the
safe working of the quarry.
Notifications (a) The owner of the quarry must appoint,
in writing, a quarry manager(s) and deputies. He must inform
the HSE area office of such appointments on the pre s c r i b e d

1 - 32

Display of inform a t i o n A copy of the prescribed

f o rm M & Q Form No. 205 (Mines & Quarries Act 1954)
must be displayed on site as should all current orders, local
rules and HSE served notices.
Health and safety document This document, which
the quarry owner must ensure is prepared, has to
demonstrate:
that risks have been assessed;
that adequate measures have been taken re g a rd i n g
the design, use and maintenance of the quarry and its
plant, and
how these measures will be co-ord i n a t e d .
W h e re appropriate, the document should also include
plans detailing protective measures against explosion, fire
and toxic gases.
The quarry owner must ensure that the document is kept
up to date, that copies are made available to all employers
and the self-employed and that the measures detailed there i n
a re followed.
Workmen at quarries Each operative should also be
issued with a copy of all local rules within which should be
stated the appointment, designation and duties of each job
holder. The local rules should include the provision of
p rotective clothing and the periods when it should be worn .
W h e re appropriate, other safety instructions and inform a t i o n
on emergency pro c e d u res should also be included.

Welfare Quarries used for the first time after 26 October

1995 are subject to the welfare requirements of the Work place (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 (see p
1-38). Quarries already in use on 26 October 1995 are subject to the Mines and Quarries Act, which re q u i res that there
should be provided and maintained suitable accommodation
for (a) changing clothes (b) drying clothes (c) eating food. (If
more than 30 men are employed, this must be a separate
room). Facilities should be included for boiling water and
heating food. There must also be provided suitable sanitary
conveniences, washing water with soap and towels and
suitable drinking water. Every site must also be equipped with
a clearly marked first aid box which should always be readily
available. From 26 July 1998, all quarries must comply with
the Workplace (Health, Safety and We l f a re) Regulations.
Registers The following registers must be maintained:
M & Q Form 236 Daily inspection of quarry
M & Q Form 321(T) Tips Weekly re c o rd of material
deposited
M & Q Form 320(T) Tips Record of any defect
found.
Workforce re p resentation For the purposes of
inspections, etc., to be carried out on behalf of the persons
employed at the quarry, the workforce may appoint re p resentatives, under both the Safety Representatives & Safety
Committees Regulations 1977, and Mines & Quarries Act
1 9 5 4. It should be noted that the provisions of the M & Q
Act are significantly diff e rent in both concept and detail fro m
the Safety Reps., etc., Regs.

June 2001

Reporting accidents/dangerous occurre n c e s

Injuries or conditions and dangerous occurrences must be
re p o rted to the HSE area office in accordance with the
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences
Regulations 1995 (see p 1-15/18; notifiable dangero u s
o c c u rrences
specific
to
quarries
are
listed
in p 1-16). Following a re p o rtable incident, the scene of the
accident or dangerous occurrence must not be disturbed
until three days after the notification to the HSE, or until
visited by the inspectorate and workforce re p resentatives
unless: (a) disturbance is unlikely to affect any investigation
and is necessary to secure safety, and (b) the workforc e
re p resentative has been given reasonable opportunity to visit
the scene before disturbance, and (c) a plan, showing all the
relevant information, is prepared, and (d) relevant
equipment is retained for inspection.
General site requirements
Fencing Q u a rries must have an efficient and properly
maintained barrier so designed and constructed as to pre v e n t
any person from accidentally falling into the quarry. Quarries
often attract children, with fatal consequences. The type of
fencing and inspection thereof will be particularly import a n t
where the operations are close to populated areas.
Electricity The use of electricity at quarries is covered
by the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (see Section 10
Electricity). Specific guidance on how the regulations may
be satisfied at quarries is contained in the Approved Code
of Practice: The use of electricity at quarries.
Dust Where there is given off dust of such character and
quantity as to be likely to be injurious to the persons
employed at the quarry, then effective steps must be taken to
p rotect those persons against inhalation of the dust (see
Section 25).
Vehicles T h e re are specific regulations (the Quarry
Vehicles Regulations 1970) dealing with the use of vehicles
at quarries. These regulations cover such topics as the
appointment of authorised drivers, the provision of local
rules, the provision of warning instruments and lighting,
safety provisions at tipping, etc.
Fire precautions E ffective steps must be taken to prevent
anyone from being trapped following an outbreak of fire, and
an adequate supply of suitable fire fighting appliances should
be provided and maintained at appropriate locations.
Lighting When natural light is insufficient to enable
operatives to work in safety and to pass through areas of
the quarry as may be required, then sufficient and suitable
artificial lighting must be provided.
Explosives The Quarries (Explosives) Regulations 1988
lay down requirements regarding the use of explosives. The
regulations cover duties of Owners and Managers, security
of explosives, appointment and duties of shotfirers, shotfiring
and misfire pro c e d u res. Guidance on how the regulations
may be satisfied is contained in the Approved Code of
Practice: Explosives at quarries. The Control of Explosives
Regulations 1991 deal with the acquisition and keeping of
explosives. Also see Section 8C Explosives.
Further Guidance
Safety and Legislation published by the Institute of
Quarrying (Tel. 0115 9411315).
HSE Booklet L79 A guide to the Quarries Miscellaneous
Health and Safety Provisions Regulations 1995.
Legislation made under the Mines and Quarries Act and
the Mines and Quarries (Tips) Act 1969 is being reviewed.
Clarification of the current position on such matters as

June 2002

notifications, prescribed forms and the keeping of re c o rd s

should be sought from the specialist Quarry Inspector, via the
HSE area off i c e .

Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999

(IRR)

These regulations apply to all work with ionising radiation,

however it is produced. This could be from an X-ray
generator which only emits radiation when activated, or a
radioactive substance which emits radiation continuously. In
the construction industry, the regulations are applicable
w h e re site radiography is taking place (see pages 3011/12A), when portable Nuclear Density/Moisture Gauges
(NDG's) are being used and when work takes place in an
a t m o s p h e re containing radon 222 gas. This could occur in
confined spaces in granite areas such as Cornwall or
Aberdeen.
Duties under the regulations fall on:
employers undertaking work with ionising radiation
employers in control of an area that is re q u i red to be
designated as a controlled or supervised are a
employers in control of equipment
manufacturers and installers of equipment for work with
ionising radiations
holders of nuclear site licences
mine managers and quarry operators (as if they were
employers)
employees.
Acceptable methods of compliance with IRR are set out in
the Approved Code of Practice and Guidance L121 "Work
with Ionising Radiation".
In very general terms, the regulations re q u i re :
1. HSE Authorisation and Notification
Authorisation is required from HSE for certain practices
including industrial radiography using x-ray equipment.
Generic authorisations are available from HSE offices or
HSE's website. If an employer cannot comply with the
conditions of the generic authorisation, they should apply to
the HSE for individual authorisation.
Generally, an employer intending to use ionising
radiation must notify the HSE of his intention at least 28 days
before the date on which the work is due to start. This ru l e
applies even where the employer has prior authorisation for
the work. The notification can, however, take such form as
HSE agree to accept which may include e-mails.
Notification of work in radon atmospheres or with
substances containing naturally occurring radionuclides
need not be given until work starts. Notification must then
be given forthwith.
2. Risk Assessment and Restriction of Exposure to
Ionising Radiation
Work with ionising radiation must not be started until the
employer has carried out a risk assessment. Matters to be
considered include:
The sources of ionising radiation to be used or likely to be
present
Estimated radiation dose rates
Likelihood of contamination arising and spre a d i n g
Results of previous dosimetry or area monitoring
Advice from manufacturer about safe use of equipment
Planned control measures and systems of work
Estimated levels of airborne and surface contamination
Suitability of personal protective equipment
Steps to prevent accidents or limit their consequences.
The regulations establish a hierarchy of control measure s
for restricting exposure to radiation. First and foremost,
employers must use engineering means to control the doses
of radiation received by their employees and others. When
engineering controls are in place, consideration should be
given to the systems of work to be followed. Lastly,

1 - 33

employers should provide personal protective equipment to

further restrict exposure where this is reasonably practicable.
3. Maintenance of Engineering Controls and PPE
Employers must ensure that, where appropriate, thoro u g h
examinations and tests of engineering controls and personal
protective equipment are carried out at suitable intervals. In
d e t e rmining the frequency of these thorough examinations
and tests, the employer should consider the recommendations
of the manufacturer of the equipment and the advice of the
Radiation Protection Adviser (see below). Records must be
kept of each test and thorough examination.
4. Dose Limitation
The primary responsibility of radiation employers under these
regulations is to keep the exposure to radiation of his employees
and other persons who may be affected by the work he is doing
to the lowest level reasonably practicable. However, the
regulations set out dose limits for different groups of people and
for diff e rent parts of the body. Only in exceptional
c i rcumstances may these limits be exceeded. These special
circumstances are unlikely to arise in the construction industry.
5. Contingency Plans
When a risk assessment shows that a radiation accident is
reasonably foreseeable, the employer must prepare a
contingency plan designed to secure the restriction of
exposure to radiation of the people who may be affected by
the accident. The plan should contain:(i) Names of persons responsible for putting the plan into
effect.
(ii) Action necessary for assessing the situation e.g. use of
radiation monitors.
(iii) Immediate mitigating actions to be taken e.g. clearing
the are a .
(iv) Details of personal protective equipment available.
(v) Details of personal dosimetry re q u i rements for persons
c o n t rolling the situation.
(vi) Availability of radiation protection expertise e.g.
Radiation Protection Adviser.
(vii) Training re q u i red to deal with radiation accidents.
6 Controlled and Supervised Are a s
An employer must designate as a "controlled area" any
a rea under his control which has been assessed as an are a
in which:
special procedures are required to restrict significant
exposure to ionising radiation in that area or prevent or
limit radiation accidents; or
any person working in the area is likely to receive an
effective dose greater than 6 millisieverts a year or an
equivalent dose greater than 3/10 of any relevant dose
limit (see paragraph 4).
C o n t rolled areas must be physically demarcated and
suitably signed to indicate that it is a controlled area, the
n a t u re of the radiation sources in the area and the risks
arising. Persons not involved in the work must be excluded
f rom controlled areas. See page 30-11 for advice on
c o n t rolled areas during site radiography.
An employer must designate as a "supervised area" any
a rea under his control, that is not a controlled area, and
where:
it is necessary to keep conditions under review to
determine whether it should be designated as a
c o n t rolled area; or
any person working in the area is likely to receive an
e ffective dose greater than 1 millisievert a year or an
equivalent dose greater than 3/10 of any relevant dose
limit (see paragraph 4).
Supervised areas should, where appropriate, be suitably
signed to indicate the nature of the radiation sources in the
a rea and the risks arising.

1 - 34

Employers must make written "local rules" appropriate to

the radiation risk and the nature of the operations
undertaken in every controlled area and, where
appropriate, any supervised area. Written local rules
should identify the key working instructions intended to
restrict exposure. See page 30-12 for advice on local ru l e s
in site radiography work.
7 Radiation Protection Advisers
An employer intending to use ionising radiation must
appoint in writing a Radiation Protection Adviser who will
consult with him on how to comply with these regulations.
The RPA should be consulted on, for example, the
preparation of risk assessments, the designation of
c o n t rolled and supervised areas, the preparation of local
rules and contingency plans, dose assessment and re c o rd
keeping. The HSE has published a statement setting out the
criteria for judging the competence of individuals and
bodies intending to give advice as RPA's.
8 Radiation Protection Superv i s o r
Employers working with ionising radiation must appoint one
or more Radiation Protection Supervisors whose job is to
s e c u re compliance with the regulations in general and the
local rules in particular. The Radiation Protection Adviser
should be consulted about the appointment, training and
authority of Radiation Protection Supervisors.
9 Classified Persons and Exposure to Radiation
Employees who work with ionising radiation which can
p roduce within several minutes an effective dose rate of 20
millisieverts or an equivalent dose in excess of a dose limit
should be designated as classified persons. Normally,
classified persons will be those employees who work in
c o n t rolled areas.
Employees may be designated as classified persons only
if they are aged 18 years or over and have been certified by
an HSE appointed doctor or employment medical adviser as
fit for work with ionising radiation. Employers must make
arrangements with an appointed doctor or employment
medical adviser for the continuing medical surveillance of
their classified persons who should be medically examined
at least annually and after any dose limit has been
exceeded.
All doses of ionising radiation received by classified
persons must be assessed and re c o rded by an HSE
approved dosimetry service, appointed by the classified
persons' employer.
Health re c o rds and dose re c o rds must be kept until the
person to whom they relate attains or would have attained
the age of 75, but in any event they must be kept for at least
50 years from when they were made. Health re c o rds must
be kept by the employer, dose re c o rds by the appro v e d
dosimetry service.
If an employer suspects that any person, whether
classified or not, has been overexposed to radiation, he must
immediately carry out an investigation to find out why the
overe x p o s u re occurred, what dose was received by the
person involved and what steps are necessary to prevent a
re c u rrence of the overe x p o s u re. The HSE and the appointed
doctor or employment medical adviser must be advised of
the overe x p o s u re.
10 Accounting for Radioactive Substances
Employers must keep re c o rds concerning the quantity
and location of all radioactive substances in their
possession. For sealed sources the re c o rd should include:(i) Means of identification.
(ii) Date of receipt on site.
(iii) Activity at a specified site.
(iv) Location of source on site.
(v) Date and manner of disposal.

June 2002

1 1Storing Radioactive Substances

Employers must ensure that their radioactive substances,
such as sealed sources, are kept in suitable receptacles in
suitable store s .
Receptacles should:(i) P rovide radiation shielding so that the surface dose rate
never exceeds 2 millisieverts per hour.
(ii) Be able to withstand foreseeable misuse.
(iii) Be fire resistant.
(iv) P revent unauthorised exposure of the sourc e .
Stores should be reserved for radioactive substances only
and
(i) P rovide protection from the weather.
(ii) Be fire resistant.
(iii) Be shielded so as to ensure that, outside the store, the
radiation dose rate is as low as it is reasonably
practicable to attain. Where non-classified persons
may approach the outside of the store, the dose rate
should not exceed 2.5 micro s e i v e rts per hour.
(iv) Be adequately ventilated.
(v) P rovide physical security, in other words be locked with
the keys kept in a secure place.
(vi) Be signed to indicate the radiation hazard .
Radioactive Substances Act 1993
The Radioactive Substances Act 1993 re q u i res that
radioactive material be re g i s t e red with the Environment
Agency, the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency or the
D e p a rtment of Environment (Nort h e rn Ireland). Conditions
for storage and use of the sources are detailed in the
registration certificate.

Health and Safety (Safety Signs and

Signals) Regulations 1996
These regulations apply to all work premises and activities,
but do not apply to signs relating to the supply of dangero u s
substances, the transport of dangerous goods by road or
rail, or to signs regulating road or rail traffic. Existing fire
safety signs already in use on 1 April 1996 may continue to
be displayed until 24 December 1998.
The regulations cover the provision and use of safety
signs and signals which are re q u i red to be displayed or
used when a risk assessment shows that, in spite of
p rotective measures, the risk cannot be eliminated or
sufficiently reduced and a significant risk re m a i n s .
Safety signs
Safety signs must conform to the following re q u i re m e n t s .
Signs should be illuminated where appropriate and must be
kept clean and properly maintained.

Type of sign

Shape

Symbol/colour

Pro h i b i t o ry
(eg Smoking and naked
flames forbidden)

Round

Black pictogram on white

b a c k g round, red edging
and diagonal line

Triangular

Black pictogram on yellow

b a c k g round with black
edging

Warning
(eg Overhead load)
Mandatory
(eg Ear protection must
be worn )

Round

White pictogram on blue

background

E m e rgency escape or first aid

(eg First aid post)

Rectangular
or square

White pictogram on green

background

F i re fighting
(eg Emergency fire
telephone)

Rectangular
or square

White pictogram on re d
background

June 2005

Signals
These include:
acoustic signals and/or verbal communication to signal
danger, eg to call for emergency evacuation. Such
signals should be tested at frequent intervals.
hand signals or verbal communication to guide persons
carrying out hazardous or dangerous manoeuvres, eg
crane signals. Note The signals detailed in the
regulations differ from those recommended in BS 7121
Code of practice for the safe use of cranes. However, the
signals re f e rred to in BS 7121 (see p 9-21) may continue
to be used.
Training
Employees must be given sufficient information, instruction
and training about the meaning of safety signs and signals
and on relevant action which must be taken.
F u rther guidance
F u rther information is given in HSE booklet L64 Safety signs
and signals: guidance on Regulations.

The Pre s s u re Systems Safety

Regulations 2000
Introduction
The legislative requirements applicable to the health and
safety aspects of pre s s u re systems are contained in the
Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 (SI 2000 No. 128)
which revoked the Pre s s u re Systems and Transportable Gas
Containers Regulations 1989 (SI 1989 No. 2169). The HSC
have also issued an Approved Code of Practice entitled Safe
Pressure Systems.
The regulations contain re q u i rements for the design,
installation, commissioning, use, testing and inspection of
pressure systems. A pre s s u re system is defined as:
a. a system comprising of one or more pre s s u re vessels of
rigid construction, any associated pipework and
p rotective devices;
b. the pipework and its protective devices to which a
t r a n s p o rtable pre s s u re receptacle is, or is intended to
be, connected; or
c. a pipeline and its protective devices;
which contain or is liable to contain a relevant fluid, but does
not include a transportable pre s s u re receptacle.
Relevant fluid means:
a. steam;
b. any fluid or mixture of fluids which is at present gre a t e r
than 0.5 bar above atmospheric pre s s u re, and which
fluid or mixture of fluids is
i. a gas, or
ii. a liquid which would have a vapour pre s s u re gre a t e r
than 0.5 bar above atmospheric pre s s u re when in
equilibrium with its vapour at either the actual
temperature of the liquid or 17.5 degrees Celsius; or
c. a gas dissolved under pressure in a solvent contained in a
porous substance at ambient temperature which could be
released from the solvent without the application of heat.
In terms of the construction industry this will relate to the
commissioning of pipelines normally used to convey fuels
and other volatile fluids or gasses (relevant fluids).
Some air conditioning systems operate at pre s s u re s
s u fficient to attract the regulations as will associated air
conditioning units or refrigeration systems with 25kw
c o m p ressors or larg e r.
Mobile air compressor units would also fall under these
regulaitons.
Amongst the systems excluded from the re q u i rements of
the regulations are :
Ty re s
P o rtable fire extinguishers (below 25 bar @ 60C and
less than 23kg)

1 - 35

Hydraulic braking, steering, suspension systems etc. on

vehicles
Diving compre s s o r s
C o m p ressed air manlocks, airlocks or chambers.
Duties are placed on users of fixed installations and
owners of mobile systems.
Design
The regulations place a duty on designers of pre s s u re
systems to properly design the systems to that, when properly
c o n s t ructed from suitable materials, they do not present
danger. The designers should also make sure in their designs
that any necessary testing and examination may be performed without risk to health and safety. This would include
provision for safe access into vessels, if re q u i red, and the
p rovision of any necessary protective devices to prevent
danger, so far as is reasonably practicable.
Designers of pressure equipment and assemblies also have
to comply with the requirements of the Pre s s u re Equipment
Regulations 1999 (SI 1999 No. 2001) which re q u i res certain
design parameters to be maintained, conformity assessments
and testing, and the provision of an identifying CE mark.
Marking
The information shown below must be specified for,
applied to and maintained on pressure vessels by, as
appropriate, the designers, manufacturers and operators.
1. The manufacture r s name.
2. A serial number to identify the vessel.
3. The date of manufacture of the vessel.
4. The standard to which the vessel was built.
5. The maximum allowable pre s s u re of the vessel.
6. The minimum allowable pre s s u re of the vessel, where
this is other than atmospheric pre s s u re .
7. The design temperature .
The marking provides immediate maximum/minimal
p re s s u re information to operators and particular identification for examination and testing purposes and re c o rds.
No mark or plate must be removed from a pre s s u re vessel.
Information
Sufficient written information should be provided to ensure compliance with the regulations and to prevent danger.
This information would include the design, constru c t i o n ,
examination, operation and maintenance parameters and
re q u i rements as could reasonably be foreseen as being
re q u i red. The information supplied must be amended to
reflect the current condition if the pre s s u re system is modified
or re p a i re d .
Installation
The contractor responsible for the installation of a pre s s u re
system has a statutory duty to perf o rm the installation so that
nothing about the way in which it is installed would give rise
to danger or adversely effect the operation of the protective
devices or inhibit the ability to perf o rm future inspection work.
Duties extend to ensuring that any maintenance activities can
be perf o rmed safely (e.g. the installation should provide for
maintenance and examination access).
Safe Operating Limits and Operation
No person may operate a pre s s u re system unless the
safe operating limits have been established and a written
p ro c e d u re provided to ensure the safe operation of the
system, including any specific precautions and emergency
arrangements. No person should operate a pressure system
unless he has been provided with this written procedure.
Mobile systems must also be legibly marked with the
operating limits.
Examination
No pre s s u re system may be operated unless a written
scheme for the periodic examination, by a competent

1 - 36

person of specific parts of the system has been provided.

This examination would include pre s s u re vessels,
pipework, pipelines, valves, compressors, pumps, hoses,
p rotective devices, etc. The competent person would be
deemed to be competent due to his/her knowledge,
experience and training, and would normally be an
engineering insurance company employee, although it
may be the user or owner.
The competent person must ensure that the written
scheme is suitable and that it includes the following:
1. Details of the nature and frequency of examination.
2. The measures necessary to pre p a re the pre s s u re system
for examination without risk to the examiner or others.
3. R e q u i rements for examination prior to first use of the
pre s s u re system and/or subsequent to modification
and/or re p a i r.
An examination report should be prepared by the
competent person and sent to the operator of the pre s s u re
system (and the owner if the operator is not the owner) within
28 days of the examination completion. This re p o rt should
include the following:
1. A listing of the pre s s u re system components examined,
the condition of those components and the results of the
examination.
2. The competent persons opinion as to the need for
repairs, modifications or changes to the safe operating
limits of the pre s s u re system which are needed for the
continued effectiveness of protective devices and to
p revent danger. The competent person must specify the
date by which the repairs, modifications or changes to
the operating limits must be completed.
3. The date for the next examination, as specified by the
scheme of examination, after which the pre s s u re system
should not be operated, unless this examination has
been undertaken.
4. A statement by the competent person on the continuing
suitability of the scheme of examination to prevent
danger, or modification re q u i red together with the
reasons for such modification.
5. The name and signature of the competent person
making the re p o rt, together with the date of signing.
The date for the next examination may be postponed by
a g reement, in writing, with the competent person, pro v i d i n g
this postponement will not endanger people. Only one postponement is allowed and the user or owner of the pre s s u re
system must notify the enforcing authority of the
postponement. If the competent person performing the
examination has the opinion that the pre s s u re system and/or
c e rtain components of the system present imminent danger
he/she should immediately re p o rt this in writing to the
owner/user of the system and follow this with a written
re p o rt to the enforcing authority within 14 days. If this should
occur, the pre s s u re system should not be operated until any
remedial action has been successfully completed, together
with any further testing and/or examination necessary.
Maintenance
The user or owner of a pre s s u re system must ensure that
a rrangements are in place for the maintenance of the system
so that danger is pre v e n t e d .
Records
The user or the owner of a pre s s u re system are re q u i re d
to keep the last examination re p o rt and any other re p o rt that
could assist in assessing the safety of the system, particularly
in relation to repairs and modifications. Any notification of
imminent danger or postponement of examinations should
also be retained until the necessary actions have been
c a rried out. These re c o rds should be kept at the premises in
which the pre s s u re system is located or, for mobile systems,
at the premises from which the mobile system is controlled.
If a pre s s u re system is sold to another part y, these re c o rd s

June 2005

must be passed to the new owner as soon as possible. In

addition, any design details and the schedule of examinations should also be passed to the new owner.

Diving at Work Regulations 1997

The Diving at Work Regulations 1997 came into force on
1 April 1998 and apply to all work activities that involve
diving. Recreational diving is not covered by the regulations.
Some construction projects may involve diving operations,
eg underwater concrete repairs, repairs to damaged
harbour stru c t u res, bridges, pipelines etc.
The Health and Safety Commission has produced five
Approved Codes of Practice which give guidance on the
Diving at Work Regulations. Details of the two codes which
are relevant to construction are given on page 1-45.
Responsibilities on those who appoint diving
contractors
If you appoint or employ a diving contractor to carry out
work, you have specific duties under the Diving at Work
Regulations. You must appoint as a diving contractor only a
contractor who is competent to dive and carry out the
necessary work. This may entail asking questions about
similar work already carried out and the safe working
procedures that will be followed.
The assessment for competence of a diving contractor
should also include:
checking training certificates of all those in the dive team
ensuring that the contractor is registered with HSE. (All
diving contractors must register with HSE. Registration is
not proof of competence but confirms that HSE is aware
of the diving contractor)
reviewing divers diving re c o rd s
reviewing divers medical fitness certificates.
You must ensure that the site is safe for the work to be
carried out and provide any information about known
hazards where the diving will take place. This may include
information provided under CDM and any other relevant
information that could affect the method of work, e.g.
underwater obstructions, tides, contaminated water, traffic
on the water or alongside the worksite.
The Diving Contractor
The diving contractor is the person who plans and
conducts a diving project. He has the main responsibility
under the regulations for ensuring a safe diving project. One
person only may act as the diving contractor for a diving
project. Where there is more than one employer of divers on
the project or more than one self employed diver, it must be
decided and re c o rded in writing who will be the diving
contractor for the pro j e c t .
The diving contractors responsibilities include:
assessing risks and ensuring that a diving project plan is
prepared
ensuring that the dive team is aware of the plan
ensuring that there are sufficient divers, competent in both
diving and in the work to be undert a k e n
ensuring that each diver holds with his log book
a certificate of training
a certificate of diving first aid
a certificate of medical fitness
ensuring that the place from which diving is to be carr i e d
out is both suitable and safe
p roviding sufficient and suitable plant and equipment,
correctly certified and maintained
ensuring that adequate arrangements exist for first aid
and medical treatment
ensuring that diving project re c o rds are kept
ensuring that all other relevant regulations are complied
with.

June 2002

The Dive Team

The size of a dive team will depend upon the work
to be carried out and is determined by the diving
c o n t r a c t o r. The minimum team size normally re q u i re d
to conduct a dive safely is four: a superv i s o r, a
working diver, a standby diver and a tender for
the working diver. Additional people may be required
if specialised plant will be used or will assist in an
e m e rg e n c y. The risk assessment should identify the
number of people re q u i red for each activity. A dive
team of three, superv i s o r, working diver and standby
diver/tender may be acceptable in controlled conditions in
a swimming pool or tank where there is no risk of
entrapment and the management of an emergency has
been considere d .
All members of the dive team must be able to fulfil their
functions at all times. The standby diver must be in
immediate readiness to provide any assistance necessary
to the diver in the water. This means that the standby diver
must be dressed to enter the water with the minimum of
delay.
Supervisors
Only one supervisor may supervise a diving operation at
any one time. Each supervisor must be appointed in writing
by the diving contractor. Written appointments should
clearly define the times and areas of contro l .
The supervisor should be a qualified first aider but does
not need a medical fitness certificate to fulfil the role of
supervisor. He/she must be competent in the activities to be
c a rried out, and must be in possession of all the information
relevant to the dive.
The supervisor is responsible for the diving operation and
is the only person who can order the start of a dive. The
supervisor should liaise with other relevant personnel to
ensure that the operation is carried out safely. Each day, the
supervisor must complete the Diving Operations Log Book
and countersign each divers log book.
Divers
The divers within a dive team must each have a certificate
of medical fitness to dive, issued by an HSE approved
medical examiner of divers. Certificates are valid for up to
twelve months. A list of approved medical examiners is
available from the HSE information line. The validity of
medical certificates can be checked with the appro p r i a t e
medical examiner.
Each diver should be able to produce a divers log which
will include details of all diving operations carried out by the
diver. If the divers who are expected to carry out work
cannot produce this type of information, they must not be
permitted to dive.
Relevant information about the dive and the work to be
c a rried out must be available to the divers who must comply
with the directions of the supervisor.
Air Supply
In the majority of cases, the work should be carried out
with an air supply supplied from the surface. Self contained
underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) is not usually
appropriate for commercial diving operations.
Plant and equipment
It is the diving contractors responsibility to ensure that
suitable and sufficient plant is used for each project and is
p roperly maintained. Plant and equipment for diving will
include air supply, communication systems which allow
d i rect voice contact between divers and the supervisor, any
lifting equipment, compression chambers relevant to the dive
and diving baskets. In addition to warning notices saying
Caution divers at work, a divers working warn i n g
flag, an A flag, should be displayed to warn passing
shipping about the presence of divers.

1 - 37

Gas Safety (Installation and Use)

Regulations 1998
These regulations apply to premises, other than mines,
q u a rries, factories, agricultural premises and temporary
installations used in connection with construction work.
However, they do apply to any parts of these exempted
p remises which are used for domestic or residential
purposes or for sleeping accommodation. The regulations
aim to protect the public from risks arising from gas supplied
through pipes from a supplier to a consumer and cover the
transmission, distribution and use of mains gas and LPG
downstream of the distribution main or service pipe.
In particular, the regulations require that no person shall
carry out any work in relation to a gas fitting, unless
competent to do so. An Approved Code of Practice:
Standards of training in safe gas installation (COP 20),
gives practical guidance on this aspect and covers anyone
who installs, services, maintains, removes or repairs gas
systems or appliances. The term gas fitting includes
pipework, valves, regulators, meters, apparatus and
appliances designed for use by gas consumers for the
purpose of heating, lighting or cooking, or for other
purposes except an industrial process undertaken in
industrial premises.
Every gas installation business and every self-employed
gas installer must be registered with the Council for
Registered Gas Installers (CORGI). Principal contractors
should therefore check that sub-contractors carrying out
work which is subject to the regulations are appropriately
registered.
Further guidance is given in the Approved Code of
Practice: Safety in the installation and use of gas systems
and appliances (HSE booklet L56).

Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare)

Regulations 1992
Application
These regulations, which are supported by an
Approved Code of Practice, apply to all workplaces,
other than those used for construction work or mining.
Operational ships, aircraft, trains and road vehicles
are also excluded from the regulations, apart from
when stationary in a workplace, when precautions
against falls, or falling objects, must be taken (see
column opposite). There are some restrictions on the
application of the regulations to the agricultural and forestry
industries.
As far as the construction industry is concerned,
t h e re f o re, the regulations apply to company offices and
facilities which are not on site. Construction sites, including
any on-site offices, are subject to the Construction (Health,
Safety & We l f a re) Regulations (see section 3). Where
c o n s t ruction work is carried out in occupied premises, e.g.
operational factories, the regulations will apply unless the
c o n s t ruction work is carried out within a clearly defined (e.g.
fenced off) area where no other activity is taking place.
In the context of these regulations, workplace means
any place provided for use as a place of work by
employees or the self-employed. The term includes
corridors, staircases, access roads, etc. and associated
welfare facilities.

Requirements
The regulations require employers and others in control
of workplaces to take measures concerning the following
matters:
Maintenance
The workplace and associated equipment and
systems must be maintained in a clean and efficient

1 - 38

state, in efficient working order and in good repair.

Maintenance of equipment and systems should be
carried out in accordance with manufacturers
recommendations and authoritative guidance such
as that published by the HSE or the British Standards
Institution. Where appropriate (e.g. in the case of
ventilation systems), maintenance records should be kept.
Ventilation
Where windows or other openings will not provide
suitable ventilation, mechanical ventilation systems should
be provided and properly maintained. Detailed advice is
given in HSE Guidance Note EH22 Ventilation in the
workplace.
Temperature
The temperature in workrooms must be re a s o n a b l e
and, where practicable, this should normally be at least
16C. Where work involves significant physical effort, the
temperature should be at least 13C. If despite measures to
heat or cool a workroom, workers are exposed to
temperatures which do not give reasonable comfort,
suitable protective clothing and rest facilities should be
provided.
Sufficient suitable thermometers must be readily
available to allow workers to check the temperature in the
workplace.
Further advice is given in HSG 194, Thermal comfort in
the workplace: guidance for employers.
Lighting
Natural lighting should be provided, where reasonably
practicable; windows and skylights must therefore be kept
clean. Lighting should be sufficient to enable people to work
and move safely without visual fatigue. Local lighting should
be provided where necessary. Where appropriate,
emergency lighting must be provided and maintained.
Further guidance is given in HSE booklet HS(G) 38
Lighting at work.
Cleanliness & tidiness
Floors, walls and ceilings, together with furnishings,
must be kept sufficiently clean, the standard of
cleanliness depending on the use of the workplace.
Some other regulations e.g. the Food Hygiene Regulations
(see p1-32) have specific re q u i rements. Absorbent
floor surfaces, such as untreated concrete or timber,
which are likely to be contaminated by oil, grease etc.,
should be sealed or coated, e.g. with a suitable non-slip
floor paint.
Waste, dirt and refuse should be cleared regularly.
Furniture, materials and tools should be placed so that
they do not cause people to trip or fall and do not obstruct
access or fire escape routes.
Space
Wo r k rooms should have enough free space to allow
people to move with ease.
The total volume of a workroom, when empty, divided
by the number of people normally in it, should be at least
11m3 (in this calculation, a room or part of a room which is
more than 3.0m high, should be counted as 3m high). The
figure of 11m3 per person may be insufficient if much of the
room is taken up with furn i t u re, etc. This recommended
minimum figure does not apply to rooms used for lectures,
meetings etc.
Workstations & seating
Workstations should be arranged so that each task can
be carried out safely and comfortably. Seating should,
where possible, provide adequate support for the lower
back; a footrest should be provided where the foot cannot

June 2002

comfortably be placed flat on the floor. Further guidance on

seating is given in HSE booklet HS(G)57 Seating at work.
(Specific guidance on display screen equipment is given on
p.29-4).
Floors and traffic routes
Floors of workplaces and surfaces of passages,
s t a i rcases, access roads, etc. must be suitable for their
intended use and properly maintained.
M e a s u res must be taken to reduce the risk of persons
slipping, tripping and falling, or of vehicles becoming
unstable.
Any open side of a staircase should be securely fenced
by an upper rail at 900mm, or higher, and a lower rail. A
secure and substantial handrail should be fixed on at least
one side of every stairc a s e .
P recautions against falls and falling objects
Fencing and covers
Suitable work equipment or other measures, which will
include guardrails and safe working platforms should
n o rmally be provided where persons are exposed to the
risk of a fall that could cause injury.
Fencing installed after 1st January 1993 should extend
to at least 1.10m in height, except where lower fencing
has been approved under Building Regulations.
G u a rdrails should consist of a top rail and at least one
i n t e rmediate rail which should be fixed to prevent persons
falling under the top rail.
W h e re necessary, adequate upstands or toeboard s
should be fixed to prevent objects falling.
Ladders
Fixed ladders, which include steep stairways (which are
descended facing the treads or rungs), should extend at
least 1.10m above any landing place which is served.
Fixed ladders installed after 31st December 1992, with a
v e rtical height of more than 6m, should have a suitable
resting place every 6m. Floor openings for ladders should
be as small as possible, with fencing and a gate provided
where necessary to prevent falls.
Fixed ladders at an angle of less than 15 to the vertical,
which are more than 2.5m high should, where possible, be
fitted with safety hoops or permanently fixed fall arrest
systems.
Ladders should conform to BS 4211 Specification for
ladders for permanent access and BS 5395 Code of
practice for the design of industrial type stairs, permanent
ladders and walkways.
Roof work
Where frequent access is needed to roofs, suitable
fixed, safe means of access should be provided. In the
case of temporary access, guidance is given in Section 8D
Work on Roofs.
Stacking and racking
Materials should be stacked and stored in such a way
that they are not likely to fall and cause injury. Racking
should be of adequate strength and stability
Loading and unloading vehicles
The need to climb on top of vehicles or their loads
should be avoided as far as possible. Where this is
unavoidable, measures such as fixing fencing on top of a
tanker; should be taken to prevent falls.
Danger areas
W h e re it is not reasonably practicable to take measure s
such as the provision of fencing, guardrails, covers etc., to
p revent falls, entry to such danger areas should be
restricted to authorised persons who have re c e i v e d
adequate information, instruction and training on any
a p p ropriate safe system of work. In certain situations, a
December 2005

p e rmit-to-work system will be appropriate (see Section 23

Confined Spaces). The provision of safety nets or personal
p rotective equipment, such as safety harnesses, may be
n e c e s s a ry (see Section 18 Protective Clothing &
Equipment).
Glazing
Glazing of doors and walls which could be
b roken accidentally by persons or materials and cause
i n j u ry must be made of a suitable safety material, or
be adequately protected against breakage by suitable
s c reens or barriers. The Approved Code of Practice gives
detailed guidance on these re q u i rements. BS 6206
Specification for impact performance requirements for flat
safety glass and safety plastics and BS 6262 Code of
practice for glazing of buildings p rovide re l e v a n t
information on safety materials. Such glazing must also be
conspicuously marked to avoid the likelihood of people
colliding with it.
Wi n d o w s
Windows, skylights, etc. must be capable of being
opened and closed without any risk.
Windows should be designed, or provision should be
made, to ensure that cleaning can be carried out safely.
F u rther advice is given in HSE Guidance Note GS25
Prevention of falls to window cleaners.
Doors and gates
Doors and gates which swing in both directions should
have a transparent panel. On main traffic routes, all doors
should be fitted with such panels.
Power operated doors and gates must have appropriate
safety features to prevent injury to persons if struck by
them.
Traffic routes
Tr a ffic routes must allow the safe movement of persons
and vehicles within the workplace and when entering or
leaving it. Appropriate measures may include:
clearly marked separate routes for pedestrians and
vehicles,
fitting reversing alarms to vehicles,
appointment of banksmen to supervise safe movement
of vehicles,
display of warning signs to alert drivers to restrictions in
f o rc e ,
setting speed limits for vehicles and installing ro a d
humps,
warning indication of height limitations or obstru c t i o n s ,
use of one-way systems for vehicles,
wearing of high visibility clothing.
Escalators
Escalators and moving walkways must be fitted with
necessary safety devices. Advice is given in HSE Guidance
Note PM 34 Safety in the use of escalators.
Sanitary conveniences and washing facilities
Suitable and sufficient facilities must be provided for the
maximum number of persons likely to be at work in a
workplace at any one time. Facilities should be available
for use without undue delay and account should be taken,
t h e re f o re, of the pattern of work. Account should also be
taken of the type of work involved; washbasins, with
running hot and cold, or warm water, must always be
provided but, in some cases, the provision of showers
and/or baths may be appropriate.
The following table shows the minimum facilities which
should be provided. Where separate sanitary accommodation is provided for different groups (e.g. men, women,
o ffice workers or manual workers), a separate calculation
should be made for each gro u p .

1 - 39

I
2
Max. number in Number of
the workplace water closets
1 to 5
6 to 25
26 to 50
51 to 75
76 to 100

1
2
3
4
5

3
Number of
washbasins
1
2
3
4
5

W h e re sanitary accommodation is used only by men, the

following table may be used as an alternative to column 2
above.
Max. number in Number of
the workplace water closets
1 to 15
16 to 30
31 to 45
46 to 60
61 to 75
76 to 90
91 to 100

1
2
2
3
3
4
4

Number of
urinals
1
1
2
2
3
3
4

An additional water closet and one additional washing

station should be provided for every 25 (or fraction of 25)
people above 100. In the case of water closets used only by
men, one additional water closet and one additional urinal
should be provided for every 50 men above 100.
Sanitary accommodation must be adequately ventilated
and all facilities must be kept clean.
Drinking water
An adequate supply of wholesome drinking water must
be provided, together with suitable cups, etc., unless the
supply is from a drinking fountain. There should also be
facilities for washing cups, or altern a t i v e l y, disposable cups
should be pro v i d e d .
Drinking water supplies should be clearly marked as such
if there is any risk of people drinking from contaminated
supplies.
Accommodation for clothing and changing
Suitable and sufficient accommodation must be pro v i d e d
for any special work clothing and for personal clothing
which is not worn at work. Clothing should be able to be
hung in a clean, warm, dry and well ventilated place, with
at least a separate hook, peg or hanger for each worker.
Where workers are re q u i red to wear special work
clothing, adequate room for changing should be pro v i d e d
and measures should be taken to ensure security, for
example by providing lockers.
Facilities for rest and meals
Suitable seats should be provided for workers whose
work give them opportunities to sit. Seats should also be
p rovided for use during breaks; such seats should be in an
a rea where protective equipment, such as hearing
p rotection, need not be worn. Other than in offices, or
similar clean workplaces, separate rest areas or, in new
workplaces, separate rest rooms, should be provided. Rest
facilities should be arranged so that non-smokers are not
subjected to discomfort from tobacco smoke.
It should be noted that a smoking ban came into effect in
Scotland in March 2006. It has been introduced to contro l
the risks from passive smoking ie exposure to someone elses
smoke. The new law prevents employees, customers and

1 - 40

other visitors from smoking on business premises which are

wholly or substantially enclosed. The definition of business
p remises extends to commercial vehicles used for business.
The ban affects all commercial vehicles based in Scotland
and also those which cross the border into Scotland. It is an
o ffence to smoke or to knowingly permit smoking in the
vehicle. An individual who commits an offence can receive
a fixed penalty of up to 200. Knowingly permitting
smoking in the vehicle by the employer in control of the
vehicle can result in prosecution and a fine of up to 2,500.
Any commercial vehicle operating in Scotland must
display an approved No Smoking sign. These must be
visible by persons who are in the vehicle as well as those
persons approaching the vehicle in question. These are to
be fixed on the drivers and passenger windows and being
double sided will be viewable inside and out.
The ban does not extend to cars and private vehicles
used for business, and currently only applies in Scotland, but
a similar ban will be introduced in England, Wales and
Northern Ireland in 2007.
Suitable and sufficient facilities for eating meals should
be provided where workers regularly eat meals at work.
Seats in work areas may be suitable, provided they are in a
clean place and there is a suitable surface on which to place
food. Minimum facilities should include a means of
p reparing or obtaining a hot drink and, where necessary,
means of heating food.
Eating facilities should be kept clean and be in the
c h a rge of a responsible person.
F u rther information
Further information is contained in HSE booklet L24
Workplace health, safety and welfare, which contains the
full text of the regulations, the Approved Code of Practice
and detailed guidance.

C a rriage of Dangerous Goods by Road

Regulations 1996
These regulations are linked to the Carriage of
Dangerous Goods (Classification, Packaging and Labelling)
and Use of Transportable Pressure Receptacles Regulations
1996, which impose re q u i rements relating to the
classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous goods
for carriage by road or rail.
Dangerous goods are those which either named
individually in the Approved Carriage List, or which are
identified as dangerous under the Approved Requirements.
The Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road Regulations
detail re q u i rements for the carriage of dangerous goods by
road in any container, tank or vehicle. In particular, the
regulations:
re q u i re the operator of any tank or vehicle to comply with
relevant requirements of the Approved Carriage List, the
Approved Vehicle Requirements and the Approved Tank
Requirements;
specify the method of carriage of certain dangerous goods,
e.g. some flammable solids and organic peroxides;
re q u i re containers, tanks and vehicles to be suitable and
adequately maintained;
re q u i re the operator to have a consignors declaration
in relation to the goods,
require the consignor to provide the operator with
specified information and for the operator to provide the
driver with transport documentation concerning the
load, emergency information, etc.;
re q u i re the display of orange-coloured panels, with UN
numbers, danger signs, emergency action codes and
telephone numbers, on containers, tanks or vehicles;
p rohibit the carriage of certain mixed loads;
require the safe loading, stowage and unloading of
d a n g e rous goods and the cleaning of containers, tanks

December 2006

and vehicles;
re q u i re operators to provide relevant equipment, e.g.
extinguishers and personal protective equipment, to
enable drivers to deal with any emergency and for
drivers to take appropriate action to notify emerg e n c y
services;
specify re q u i rements for ensuring the security of parked
vehicles
Exceptions to the regulations
1. The main exception concerning the construction
i n d u s t ry is a road construction vehicle, i.e. a vehicle
carrying built-in road construction machinery (e.g. a tar
boiler). Provided only materials used for that machinery
are carried, the regulations do not apply.
2. T h e re are also exceptions to the majority of the
requirements of the regulations where dangerous
goods are carried in packages and the total mass or
volume is less than that specified in Schedule 1 to the
regulations.
3. The regulations do not apply to the carriage of
explosives, where separate legislation applies, see
Section 8C Explosives.
Approved Carriage List and Approved
Requirements
A p p roved Carriage List: Information approved for the
carriage of dangerous goods by road and rail other than
explosives and radioactive material (HSE booklet L90).
A p p roved Requirements and test methods for the
classification and packaging of dangerous goods for
carriage (HSE booklet L88).
Approved Vehicle Requirements (HSE booklet L89).
Approved Tank Requirements (HSE booklet L93).

C a rriage of Dangerous Goods by Road

(Driver Training) Regulations 1996
These regulations apply to the carriage of the majority of
categories of dangerous goods. However, they do not apply
in the case of a road construction vehicle engaged in the
repair or construction of a ro a d .
Other than where small quantities of goods with low
danger categories are carried, vehicle operators must
ensure that drivers have received adequate instruction and
training on:
the dangers which may arise and emergency action to be
taken, and
drivers duties under HASAWA and relevant Carriage of
Dangerous Goods legislation.
Operators must keep records of training given and
provide copies to drivers.
W h e re dangerous goods are carried in tankers, tank
containers or in bulk, or where specified categories and
quantities are carried in vehicles with a permissible
maximum weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes, drivers must have
successfully completed an approved training course and be
in possession of a Vocational Training Certificate. Appro v e d
training covers more detailed instruction on the hazards and
precautions involved in the carriage of dangerous goods.
Certificates must be kept available and produced, on
request, to police and goods vehicle examiners.
Vocational Training Certificates issued under the Road
Tr a ffic (Training of Drivers of Vehicles Carrying Dangerous
Goods) Regulations 1992 remain valid until their date of expiry.

Borehole Sites and Operations Regulations

1995
These regulations apply to the extraction of minerals by
b o rehole, to prospecting with a view to extraction by
b o rehole and to prospecting by borehole with a view to

December 2006

extraction by other means such as quarrying, including the

operation of a borrow pit.
For the purpose of the regulations, water is deemed not to
be a mineral.
The regulations place duties on owners of borehole sites,
on operators of borehole sites and on employers.
Owners must provide operators with the information they
need to perf o rm their duties under there g u l a t i o n s .
An operator must:
c o n t rol the borehole site
c o - o rdin ate the measures taken by himself and others
working at the site
notify the HSE before drilling takes place
for petro l e u m
with a view to mining (but not opencast mining)
within a mining area to a depth of 30 metres or more
p re p a re before commencing work on site a health and
safety document
which must include
risk assessments
details of pre c a u t i o n a ry measure s
precautionary measure co-ordination procedures
and which may include where appro p r i a t e
an escape plan
a fire and explosion prevention plan
a fire protection plan
a plan for the detection and control of harmful gases
ensure that every workplace affords adequate
p rotection for employees
e n s u re the provision of adequate means of escape
and re s c u e
An employer must:
co-operate with the operator
have re g a rd to the health and safety document in meeting
his obligations
comply with the health and safety requirements listed in
Schedule 2 of the re g u l a t i o n s
p rovide appropriate health surveillance for his employees

Working time regulations 1998

The Working Time Regulations 1998 came into force on
1 October 1998. They deal with workers rights in relation to
hours of work, night time working, breaks from work and
paid holidays. Some of these rights can be amended if an
employer comes to a collective or a workforce
agreement with his workers. A collective agreement is one
which has been negotiated through a trade union. A
workforce agreement is one which has been agreed by the
employer and his workers or their re p resentatives.
In general, a worker is someone for whom an employer
p rovides work, controls when and how the work is done and
pays tax and national insurance contributions. The majority
of agency workers and freelancers are likely to be workers,
but not the genuinely self-employed who are paid on the
basis of an invoice rather than with wages.
The regulations apply to trainees over school leaving age
who are engaged on work experience or on training for
employment, other than that provided on courses run by
educational institutions or training establishments.
An adult worker is a worker who has attained the age of
18. A young worker is a worker who is older than the
minimum school leaving age, but under 18 years of age.
Hours of work
An employer is required to take all reasonable steps to
ensure that workers do not work more than an average of
48 hours a week (including overtime) in any reference
period which will normally be a period of 17 weeks. If
during a re f e rence period a worker is absent from work on
annual, sick or maternity leave, the calculation of average
weekly hours for the re f e rence period must include the total
number of hours worked immediately after the re f e rence

1 - 41

period, during the number of working days which equals the

number of days of absence.
An individual worker may agree with his employer to work
more than the 48 hour average weekly limit. Any agreement,
which must be in writing, may relate to a specified period or
apply indefinitely. A worker has the right to terminate any
a g reement he has made, but only after giving his employer at
least 7 days notice in writing of his intention to do so. An
a g reement may specify the period of notice a worker is
re q u i red to give his employer if he wished to terminate the
a g reement. This period must not exceed 3 months.
Night time working
The term night time is defined in the regulations as
meaning a period, determined by a collective or workforc e
a g reement, of at least seven hours, including the period
between midnight and 5am. Where there is no agre e m e n t ,
night time means the period between 11pm and 6am.
A night worker is a person who normally works at least
three hours of his daily working time during night time, but
this arrangement can be altered through a collective or
workforce agre e m e n t .
A night workers normal hours of work must not exceed
an average of eight hours in each 24 hours over a 17 week
period. Where a night workers work involves special
h a z a rds or heavy physical or mental strain, there is a limit of
eight hours on the workers actual daily working time:
averaging is not permitted. The work of a night worker must
be re g a rded as involving special hazards or heavy physical
or mental strain if it is identified as such in a collective or
workforce agreement or it is recognised in a risk assessment
as involving a significant risk. The night time limits and the
re f e rence period may be modified or excluded by a
collective or workforce agre e m e n t .
Employers must offer free health assessments to any
workers who are to become night workers. They must also
give night workers the opportunity to have further
assessments at regular intervals. The frequency of repeat
assessments will vary between individuals according to
factors such as the type of night work, its duration and the
age and health of the individual worker.
Young workers are entitled to a health and capacities
assessment if they work during the period between 10pm
and 6am. This assessment will need to consider issues like
physique, maturity and experience and take into account the
type of work which is to be undertaken by the young person.
Rest Periods
In each 24 hour period, an adult worker is entitled to a
rest period of at least 11 consecutive hours whilst a young
worker is entitled to a rest period of at least 12 consecutive
hours.
In addition to their daily rest periods, workers are entitled
to weekly periods of rest. Adult workers are normally entitled
to 24 hours uninterrupted rest in each seven day period but
employers may replace this entitlement with either one 48
hour rest period or two 24 hour rest periods in each 14 day
period. Young workers are entitled to rest periods of not less
than 48 hours in each seven day period.
W h e re an adult workers daily working time is more than
six hours he is entitled to an uninterrupted rest break of at
least 20 minutes. Young workers are entitled to a rest bre a k
of at least 30 minutes if their daily working time exceeds four
and a half hours.
The rest breaks of adult workers, but not those of young
workers, may be modified by a collective or a workforc e
agreement.
Annual leave
Once a worker has been continuously employed for 13
weeks, he is entitled to receive paid annual leave as follows:
In the leave year beginning on or before 23 November

1 - 42

1998 3 weeks
In any leave year beginning after 23 November 1999
4 weeks
In any leave year beginning between these dates 3
weeks plus the pro p o rtion of a fourth week which is
pro p o rtionate to the period of the leave year which
comes after 23 November 1998.
There is no statutory entitlement to bank and public
holidays. These are simply days on which a worker may
receive leave under the terms of his contract. As with other
contractual leave, these days may be used by an employer
as part of the leave he is required to provide under these
regulations. If a worker is paid for a public holiday, the day
will count towards his entitlement to annual leave.
Leave may be taken only in the leave year in which it is
due. It may not be replaced by a payment in lieu, except
w h e re a workers employment is term i n a t e d .
A collective or workforce agreement may contain the
date on which the leave year begins. Where no such date
has been agreed, a workers leave year will begin on one of
the following dates:
On October 1st if the worker started with his employer
on or before 1 October 1998.
On the date the worker starts employment if that
employment starts after 1 October 1998.

Records
Employers must keep records which are adequate
to show whether the limits on weekly hours of work and night
time work are being achieved for each of their workers.
Workers who have opted out of the 48 hour limit on their
working week must be identified, the terms on which they
have opted out re c o rded and the hours worked during each
re f e rence period specified. Employers must also keep where
appropriate, records showing that the re q u i re m e n t s
concerning health and capacity assessments are being
complied with. Employers may determine the form in which
re c o rds are kept, but all re c o rds must be maintained for two
years from the date on which they are made.

Employers Liability (Compulsory Insurance)

Regulations 1998
Employers are required by the Employers Liability
(Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 to insure against their
liabilities under civil law, arising from claims for
compensation by employees for injuries caused by their
work. The 1998 regulations state that the minimum amount
of cover the insurance must provide is 5 million. Insurance
c e rtificates must be kept for at least forty years.

The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations

2006
The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006
p rohibit discrimination, victimisation or harassment by an
employer on the grounds of age. This means that age may
not be a factor in any decision on re c ruitment, redundancy,
p romotion, training, etc.
However, there is an exemption in the legislation that
relates to employment in a role in which the possession of a
characteristic related to age is a genuine occupational
re q u i rement and it is pro p o rtionate to apply that requirement
in the particular case.
Successful occupational health management requires
employers to assess and control both the potential effects of
work on a persons health and also the effect of a persons
health on the ability to do the work safely. If a particular job
genuinely re q u i res, for health or safety reasons, a particular
level of personal fitness, then under the above exemption, it
is open to the employer to restrict the role to persons meeting
the fitness requirement, which could of course be related to
age. However, the employer would have to be able to show
that it is a genuine re q u i rement for health or safety and that

December 2006

this is not being used as an excuse to discriminate.

Examples
If an employer felt that young people under the age of,
say, 21 should not be permitted to drive company vehicles
this would be likely to be discriminatory as many people
under this age may be perfectly safe drivers. A person of 20
years of age who holds a full driving licence should not be
excluded from a job requiring them to drive a company
vehicle purely on the grounds of their age. However, as
t h e re is plenty of evidence that young people (under the age

December 2006

of 25) have more road accidents than older people, it would

be entirely appropriate to consider this as a risk factor that
might determine the level and type of driver safety training
given.
If an experienced employee is over normal retirement
age but is sufficiently fit to continue working in their
p a rticular role and there is a mutual desire that they do so,
t h e re is nothing preventing the employer from keeping that
person on provided that they are satisfied that the persons
health will not affect their ability to do the work safely.

1 - 43

CURRENT HSE/HSC PUBLICATIONS AND VIDEOS

RELEVANT TO CONSTRUCTION
(These are revised from time to time and the latest issue dates are indicated in brackets)
(Available from Construction Industry Publications Ltd unless stated otherwise)
Guidance Notes
CS9
CS15
CS22
CS23
EH1
EH10
EH16
EH38
EH40/99
EH43
EH44
EH46
EH47
EH50
EH51
EH53
EH54
EH55
EH57
EH58
EH59
EH63
EH 64
EH65

EH69
EH74/1
GS4
GS6
GS38
GS46
GS48
GS53
PM15

1 - 44

Bulk storage and use of liquid carbon

dioxide: hazards and pre c a u t i o n s
(1985).
The cleaning and gas freeing of tanks
containing flammable residues (1985).
Fumigation (1996).
Disposal of waste explosives.
Cadmium health and safety precautions
(1995).
Asbestos Exposure limits and measurement
of airborne dust concentrations (1996).
Isocyanates (1984).
Ozone: health hazards and pre c a u t i o n a ry
m e a s u res (1996).
Occupational Exposure Limits (re v i s e d
annually).
Carbon monoxide (1984).
Dust: general principles of pro t e c t i o n
Man-made mineral fibres (1990).
P rovision, use and maintenance of hygiene
facilities for work with asbestos insulation
and coatings (1990).
Training operatives and supervisors for work
with asbestos insulation and coatings (1988).
Enclosures provided for work with asbestos
insulation, coatings and insulating board
(1989).
Respiratory protective equipment for use
against airborne radioactivity (1990).
Assessment of exposure to fume fro m
welding and applied processes (1990).
The control of exposure to fume fro m
welding and allied processes (1990).
The problems of asbestos removal at high
t e m p e r a t u res (1993).
C a rcinogenicity of mineral oils (1990).
Crystalline silica.
Vinyl chloride: toxic hazards and
p recautions (1992).
Summary criteria for occupational
exposure limits: 1999 Supplement.
Criteria documents for an occupational
exposure limit:
2 Pulverised fuel ash (1992)
10 Carbon tetrachloride (1994)
12 Portland cement dust (1994)
22 Softwood dust (1996).
How to handle PCBs without harm i n g
yourself or the environment (1995).
D i c h l o romethane exposure assessment
document.
Safety in pre s s u re testing.
Avoidance of danger from overhead electric
lines (1991).
Electrical test equipment for use by
electricians (1995).
In situ timber treatment using timber
preservatives (1989).
Training and standards of competence for
users of chain saws in agriculture,
arboricultureand fore s t ry (1990).
Single flue steel industrial chimneys:
inspection and maintenance.
Safety in the use of timber pallets (1993).

PM16
PM17
PM24
PM29
PM38
PM39
PM55
PM56
PM63
PM65
PM69
PM75
PM83
MS7
MS24
MS25
MS26

Eyebolts (1980).
Pneumatic nailing and stapling tools (1979).
Safety at rack and pinion hoists (1981).
Electrical hazards from steam/water
p re s s u re cleaners etc. (1995).
Selection and use of electric handlamps
(1992).
Hydrogen embrittlement of grade T chain
(1984).
Safe working with overhead travelling cranes
(1985).
Noise from pneumatic systems (1985).
Inclined hoists used in building and
c o n s t ruction work (1987).
Worker protection at crocodile (alligator)
shears (1986).
Safety in the use of freight-containers
(1987).
Glass re i n f o rced plastic vessels and tanks:
advice to users (1991).
Drilling Machines
Colour vision (1987).
Medical aspects of occupational skin
disease (1991).
Medical aspects of occupational asthma
(1991).
A guide to audiometric testing pro g r a m m e s
(1995).

Approved Codes of Practice & Approved Lists

Managing of health and safety in construction CDM
(ACOP) (ISBN 0 7176 2139 1)
Management of health and safety at work (ACOP)
(HSE booklet L21) (ISBN 0 7176 24889)
COP2
C o n t rol of lead at work.
COP6
P e t roleum Spirit (Plastic Containers).
COP20
S t a n d a rds of training in safe gas installation.
COP23
E x p o s u reto radon.
COP26
Rider operated lift trucks operator training.
COP27
Explosives at quarr i e s .
COP32
First aid on off s h o re installations and
pipeline works.
COP35
The use of electricity at quarr i e s .
COP37
Safety of pre s s u re systems.
Also see L series booklets, p1 45.

Standards
BS 1305
BS 4390
BS 4531
BS 5228
BS 6264
BS 6913
BS 6916

Batch type concrete mixers.

P o rtable pneumatic grinding machines.
Portable and mobile troughed belt
conveyors.
Part 1 Code of practice for basic
i n f o rmation and pro c e d u res for
( c o n s t ruction) noise contro l .
Procedure for Operator Training for
e a rthmoving machinery.
Operation and maintenance or eart h m o v i n g
machinery.
Chain saws.
December 2003

Health and Safety Guidance Booklets

HS
HS
HS
HS

(G)
(G)
(G)
(G)

6
17
33
37

HS (G) 38
HS (G) 39
HS (G) 42
HS (G) 47
HS (G) 48
HS (G) 51
HS (G) 54
HS (G) 57
HS (G) 60
HS (G) 61
HS (G) 65
HS (G) 66
HS (G) 67
HS (G) 70
HS (G) 71
HS (G) 73
HS (G) 85
HS (G) 88
HS (G) 90
HS (G) 91
HS (G) 92
HS (G) 96
HS (G) 97
HS (G) 101
HS (G) 107
HS (G) 109
HS (G) 110
HS (G) 113
HS (G) 114
HS (G) 115
HS (G) 118
HS (G) 121
HS (G) 122
HS (G) 126
HS (G) 129
HS (G) 136

Safety in working with lift trucks (2000).

Safety in the use of abrasive wheels (2000).
Health and safety in ro o f w o r k .
An introduction to local exhaust ventilation
(1993).
Lighting at work (1998).
Compressed air safety (1998).
Safety in the use of metal cutting guillotines
and shears.
Avoiding danger from underg round services
(2000).
Reducing error and influencing behaviour.
Storage of flammable liquids in containers
(1998).
Maintenance, examination and testing of
local exhaust ventilation (1998).
Seating at work (1998).
Work related upper limb disorders
a guide to prevention (1990).
Surveillance of people exposed to health
risks at work. (1999)
Successful health and safety management
(1997).
P rotection of workers and the general public
during the development of contaminated
land (1991).
Health and safety in motor vehicle re p a i r
(1997).
Control of legionellosis including
l e g i o n n a i res disease (1993).
Storage of packaged dangerous substances
(1998).
Control of respirable crystalline silica in
q u a rries (1992).
Electricity at work: safe working practices
(1993).
H a n d - a rm vibration (2001).
VDUs: an easy guide to the Regulations
(1997).
A framework for the restriction of
occupational exposure to ionising radiation
(1992).
Safe use and storage of cellular plastics
(1996).
The costs of accidents at work (1997).
A step by step guide to COSHH assessments
(1999).
The costs to the British economy of work
accidents and work related ill health (1999).
Maintaining portable and transportable
electrical equipment (1994).
Control of noise at quarries (1993).
Seven steps to successful substitution of
h a z a rdous substances (1994).
Lift trucks in potentially flammable
a t m o s p h e res (1996).
Conditions for the authorisation of explosives
in Great Britain (1994).
Manual handling -solutions you can handle
(1994).
Electrical safety in arc welding (1994).
A pain in your workplace erg o n o m i c
p roblems and solutions (1994).
New and expectant mothers at work:
a guide for employers (1999).
CHIP 2 for everyone (1995).
Health and safety in engineering
workshops.(1999)
Workplace transport safety guidance for
employers (1995).

December 2003

HS (G) 137
HS (G) 138

Health risk management (1995).

Sound solutions techniques for re d u c i n g
noise at work (1995).
HS (G) 139 Safe use of compressed gases in welding,
flame cutting and allied pro c e s s e s
HS (G) 140 Safe use and handling of flammable liquids
(1996).
HS (G) 141 Electrical safety on construction sites
(1995).
HS (G) 144 The Safe use of vehicles on construction
sites.(1998)
HS (G) 146 Dispensing petrol (1996).
HS (G) 148 Sheeting and unsheeting of tipper lorr i e s
(1996).
HS (G) 149 Backs for the future. Safe manual handling
in construction.
HS (G) 150 Health and safety in construction (1996).
HS (G) 151 P rotecting the Public Your Next Move.
HS (G) 155 Slips and trips (1996).
HS (G) 158 Flame Arresters (1997).
HS (G) 159 Managing contractorsHS (G) 160 The
C a rriage of Dangerous Goods Explained.
Part 1 Guidance for Consignors (1996).
HS (G) 161 The Carriage of Dangerous Goods
Explained, Part 2 Guidance for Road
Vehicle Operators (1996).
HS (G) 162 The Carriage of Dangerous Goods
Explained Part 4. Guidance for Operators,
Drivers and Others Involved (1999).
HS (G) 165 Young people at work a guide for
employers.(2000)
HS (G) 168 Fire safety in construction.(1997)
HS (G) 170 Vibration solutions practical ways to
reduce the risk of hand-arm vibration
injury.(1997)
HS (G) 173 Monitoring strategies for toxic
substances.(1997)
HS (G) 174 Anthrax: health hazard s . ( 1 9 9 8 )
HS (G) 176 The storage of flammable liquids in
tanks.(1998)
HS (G) 178 The spraying of flammable liquids.(1998)
HS (G) 183 5 steps to risk assessment case studies
(1998)
HS (G) 185 Health and safety in excavations.(1999)
HS (G) 187 C o n t rol of diesel engine exhaust
emissions.(1999)
HS (G) 188 Health risk management: a guide to working
with solvents.(1999)
HS (G) 189/1 C o n t rolled asbestos stripping
techniques.(1999)
HS (G) 189/2 Working with asbestos cement.(1999)
HS (G) 194 T h e rmal comfort in the workplace: guidance
for employers.(1999)
HS (G) 199 Managing health and safety on work
experience
HS (G) 205 Assessing and managing the risks at work
f rom skin exposure to chemical agents
HS (G) 206 Cost and effectiveness of chemical pro t e c t i v e
gloves for the workplace
HS (G) 207 Choice of skincare products for the
workplace
HS (G) 210 Asbestos Essentials. Task Guidance sheets
for the building, maintenance and allied
trades
HS (G) 213 I n t roduction to asbestos essentials.
C o m p rehensive guidance on working with
asbestos for the building, maintenance and
allied trades
HS (G) 218 S t ress at work a guide for employers
(2000).
HS (R) 17
A guide to the Classification and Labelling
of Explosives Regulations 1983 (1983).

1 - 45

HS (R) 25
HS (R) 27
HS (R) 29
L1
L5
L7

L8
L9
L1O
L11
L13
L21
L22
L23
L24
L25
L26
L27
L28
L49
L50
L52
L54
L55
L56
L58
L62
L64
L65

L67
L70
L72

1 - 46

Memorandum of guidance on the Electricity

at Work Regulations 1989.(1999)
A guide to the Dangerous Substances in
Harbour Areas Regulations 1987 (1988).
Notification and marking of sites guidance on
the Dangerous Substances (Notification and
Marking of Sites) Regulations 1990 (1990).
A guide to the Health and Safety at Work
etc. Act 1974 (1992).
General COSHH ACOP and Carc i n o g e n s
ACOP and Biological Agents ACOP
(1999).
Dose limitation restriction of exposure :
additional guidance on Regulation 6 of the
lonising Radiations Regulations 1985:
A p p roved Code of Practice (1991).
The prevention or control of legionellosis
(including legionnaires disease): Appro v e d
Code of Practice (1995).
The safe use of pesticides for nonagricultural
purposes: Approved Code of Practice
(1995).
A guide to the Control of Explosives
Regulations 1991 (1991).
A guide to the Asbestos (Licensing)
Regulations 1983 (1991).
A guide to the Packaging of Explosives for
C a rriage Regulations 1991(1991).
Management of Health & Safety at Work
Regulations 1999: Approved Code of
Practice (1992).
Work equipment (1998).
Manual handling (1998).
Workplace health, safety and welfare :
A p p roved Code of Practice (1992).
Personal protective equipment at work (1992).
Display screen equipment work (1992).
A p p roved Code of Practice: Control of
asbestos at work (3rd Ed. 1999).
A p p roved Code of Practice: Work with
asbestos insulation, asbestos coating and
asbestos insulating board (3rd Ed. 1999).
P rotection of outside workers against
ionising radiations (1993).
Railways (Safety Critical Work) Regulations
1994 Guidance and ACOP ( re v. 1996).
Railways (Safety Case) Regulations 1994
Guidance on the Regulations (1994).
Managing construction for health and
safety: Approved Code of Practice (1995).
P reventing asthma at work (1994).
The Gas Safety (Installation and Use)
Regulations: Approved Code of Practice
(1998).
The protection of persons against ionising
radiation arising from any work activity
(1994).
Safety data sheets for substances and
preparations dangerous for supply:
A p p roved Code of Practice (2nd Ed.) (1995).
Safety signs and signals: guidance on
Regulations (1996).
P revention of fire and explosion and
e m e rgency response on off s h o re
installations. Off s h o re Installations Regs.
1995 ACOP and guidance (1995).
C o n t rol of vinyl chloride at work: Appro v e d
Code of Practice (1995).
A guide to the Off s h o re Installations and
Pipeline Works (Management and
Administration) Regulations 1995 (1995).
A guide to the Borehole Sites and

L73
L74
L79
L80
L81
L82
L86
L87
L88
L89
L90

L91
L92
L93

L94
L95
L96
L100

L101
L102
L103
L104
L108
L113
L114
L115
L117
L128

Operations Regulations 1995 (1995).

Guide to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases
and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations
1995 (1996).
The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations
1981 Approved Code of Practice and
Guidance.
A guide to the Miscellaneous Quarr i e s
Health and Safety Provisions Regulations
1995 (1996).
A guide to the Gas Safety (Management)
Regulations 1996 (1996).
The design, construction and installation of
gas service pipes. ACOP and guidance
(1996).
A guide to the Pipelines Safety Regulations
1996 (1996).
C o n t rol of substances hazardous to health in
fumigation operations (1996).
Safety re p resentatives and safety committees
3 rd edition ACOP and guidance (1996).
A p p roved re q u i rements and test methods for
the classification and packaging of
d a n g e rous goods for carriage (1996).
A p p roved vehicle re q u i rements (Carriage of
D a n g e rous Goods by Road Regulations
1996) (1996).
A p p roved Carriage List: Inform a t i o n
a p p roved for the carriage of dangero u s
goods by road and rail, other than
explosives and radioactive material (1996).
Suitability of vehicles and containers and
limits on quantities for carriage of explosives:
A p p roved Code of Practice (1996).
A p p roved re q u i rements for the construction
of vehicles intended for the carriage of
explosives by road (1996).
A p p roved tank re q u i rements: provision for
bottom loading and vapour re c o v e ry
systems of mobile containers carrying petro l
(1996).
Packaging, labelling and carriage of
radioactive material by rail (1996).
A guide to the Health and Safety
(Consultation with Employees) Regulations
1996 (1996).
A guide to the Work in Compressed Air
Regulations 1996 (1996).
CHIP 97 A p p roved guide to the
classification and labelling of substances
and preparations dangerous for supply
( T h i rd edition).
Safe work in confined spaces.
Guidance on the Head Pro t e c t i o n
regulations.
C o m m e rcial diving projects off s h o re.
C o m m e rcial diving projects inland/inshore .
Guidance on the Noise at Work Regulations
1989.
Guidance on the Lifting Equipment
regulations
Guidance on the use of Woodworking
Machinery.
CHIP Approved Supply List.
Rider operated lift trucks: operator training.
The use of electricity in mines. Electricity at
Work Regulations. Approved Code of
Practice (2001)

December 2002

R e p o rts Relevant to Construction

CRR 115

Health and Safety Commission plan of work 1997/99 and

beyond (0 7176 1409 3).
HSC/HSE Annual Report 1997/98
HS Statistics 1997/8.
HSCs strategic plan 1999/2002 (ISBN 0 7176 2438 2)
COSHH essentials: easy steps to control chemicals
(ISBN 0 7176 2421 8).
The technical basis of COSSH essentials: easy steps to
control chemicals (ISBN 0 7176 2434 X).
Fire Safety: an employers guide.

CRR 116
CRR 121
CRR 158

Visual aids
Audiovisual re s o u rces in occupational health and safety:
films, videos and tape slides available from distributors
in the UK (1995) (0 7176 0960 X).
HSE Video programme catalogue (CFL Vision
Tel: 01937 541010)
R e s e a rch Papers
RP 32
First aid retention of knowledge survey
RP 36
Assessment of compliance with the Noise at
Work Regulations 1989.
RP 38
Wi re rope grip terminations
Investigation re p o rt
Abbeystead explosion 1985 (0 11 883795 8).
Contract Research Reports
CRR 6
Location of quarry blastholes.
CRR 13
I m p roved side, front and back impact
protection for industrial helmets.
CRR 14
The effects upon hearing of noise in
combination with other agents.
CRR 19
Relative hazards of gaseous and particulate
pollutants during paint spraying.
CRR 21
The validation of methodology in the
determination of methane in water final
report.
CRR 24
The real world attenuation of hearing
protectors.
CRR 28
Investigations of machinery noise reductions
at sourc e .
CRR 42
Sick building syndrome: causes and solutions.
CRR 45
R e s e a rch into management, organisational
and human factors in the constru c t i o n
i n d u s t ry.
CRR 47
A comparison of short and long period
monitoring for particulate welding fume.
CRR 51
I m p roving safety on construction sites by
changing personal behaviour.
CRR 52
Braking and overt u rning stability of all
terrain vehicles with trailed and mounted
loads.
CRR 57
Occupational health provision at work.
CRR 68
Occupational hearing loss from low level
noise.
CRR 71
C o n s t ruction (Design & Management)
Regulations 1994 (as amended): a brief for
designers.
CRR 72
Information on site safety for designers of
smaller building pro j e c t s .
CRR 73
Dust and noise in construction pro c e s s e s .
CRR 83
Development and validation of an
analytical method to determine the amount
of asbestos in soils and loose aggre g a t e s .
CRR 91
The perf o rmance of safety helmets under
impact: an assessment of BS 5240.
CRR 92
Post construction audit of sprayed concre t e
tunnel linings
CRR 112
Workplace effectiveness of re s p i r a t o ry
protective equipment for asbestos re m o v a l
work.

December 2002

CRR 241

Grinder characteristics and their effects on

h a n d - a rmvibration.
Cost benefit analysis of noise at work.
Health surveillance in Great Britain.
Evaluation of the Construction (Design and
Management) Regulations 1994.
Non-auditory effects of noise at work.

Construction Industry Advisory Committee

C o n s t ruction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994
(as amended).
Designing for health and safety in construction
(0 7176 0807 7).
A guide to managing health and safety in constru c t i o n
(Guidance for clients, planning supervisors, designers
and contractors) (0 7176 0755 0).

Construction information sheets

(available from HSE offices)
8
15
17
18

(Rev.) Safety in excavations.

Confined spaces.
(Rev.) Construction site health and safety checklist.
(Rev.) Provision of welfare facilities at fixed
c o n s t ruction sites.
24 Chemical cleaners.
26 (Rev.) Cement.
27 Solvents.
36 Silica health hazard s .
38 C o n s t ruction (Design and Management) Regulations
1994 (as amended).
39 Role of the client.
40 Role of the planning supervisor.
41 Role of the designer.
42 P re-tender health and safety plan.
43 C o n s t ruction phase health and safety plan.
44 Health and safety file.
45 Establishing exclusion zones when using explosives
in demolition.
46 We l f a re Provision on Transient Construction Sites.
47 Inspections and re p o rts 1997
49 General access scaffolds and ladders 1997
50 PPE: safety helmets 1997
51 C o n s t ruction fire safety 1997
IND(G)127 Noise in construction. Rev.
IND(G)212 Glazing and workplace health and safety.
IND(G)220 A guide to the Construction (Health, Safety
and Welfare) Regs. 1996.

Guidance leaflets and posters

(available from HSE offices)
Legislation and enforcement policy
HSC 13
Health and Safety Regulations a short guide
HSE 4
S h o rt guide to the Employers Liability
(Compulsory Insurance) Act: a guide for
employers
HSE 31
Everyones guide to RIDDOR
HSE 33
RIDDOR off s h o re.
HSE 36
Employers Liability (Compulsory Insurance)
Act 1969: a guide for employees and their
re p resentatives.
IND (G) 184 Signpost to the Safety Signs Regulations
1996: guidance on the Regs.
IND (G) 244 Workplace health,safety and welfare A
s h o rt guide.
MISC 030
HSC: enforcement policy statement
MISC 033
Your rights when health and safety
inspectors take action.
General guidance for employers
HSC 6
Writing a safety policy: advice for employers.

1 - 47

HSC 8
HSE 22
HSE 27B
HSE 27G
HSE 27H
HSE 27P
HSE 27U
HSE 34
HSE 34B
HSE 34G
HSE 34H
HSE 34P
HSE 34U
HSE 35
IND (G) 133
IND (G) 163
IND (G) 179
IND (G) 232
IND (G) 235
IND (G) 268
IND (G) 290
IND (G) 291
IND (G) 292
MISC 069
MISC 071
MISC 130

Safety committees; guidance to employers

whose employees are not members of
recognised independent trade unions.
The specialists.
Your health and safety: a guide for workers
Bengali.
Your health and safety: a guide for workers
Gujarati
Your health and safety: a guide for workers
Hindi.
Your health and safety: a guide for workers
Punjab.
Your health and safety: a guide for workers
Urdu.
HSE and you citizens charter 1996/97
edition. This is also available in the
following ethnic languages.
Bengali
Gujarati
Hindi
Punjab
U rd u
Working with employers: 1996/97 edition.
Selecting a health and safety consultant.
5 steps to risk assessment (re v. 1998).
Policy statement on open govern m e n t .
Consulting employees on health and safety:
a guide to the law.
A guide to information, instruction and
training: common provisions in health and
safety law.
Working together, advice for contractors
and suppliers.
Simple guide to the Lifting Operations and
Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998.
Simple guide to the Provision and Use of
Work Equipment Regulations 1998.
Year 2000 assessment - a re v i e w
framework.
An employers guide to good health is good
business.
Health and safety in small firm s .
Good health is good business.

General guidance for employees and the self employed

IND (G) 62
P rotecting your health at work.
IND (G) 116 What your doctor needs to know if you think
you have a work-related health pro b l e m .
Risk assessment and the prevention of accidents
IND (G) 69
Violence to staff .
IND (G) 132 5 steps to successful health and safety
management.
IND (G) 163 5 steps to risk assessment.
IND (G) 208 Be safe save money: the cost of accidents
a guide for small firm s .
IND (G) 213 5 steps to information, instruction and training:
meeting risk assessment requirements.
IND (G) 218 Guide to risk assessment requirements:
common provisions in health and safety
law
IND (G) 225 P reventing trips, slips and falls at work.
The body
IND (G) 84
Leptospirosis: a re you at risk?
IND (G) 90
If the task fits Ergonomics at Work.
IND (G) 126 Vibration white finger: general advice for
employees.
IND (G) 143 Getting to grips with manual handling: a
s h o rt guide for employers.
IND (G) 147 Keep your top on: h a z a rds of the sun.
IND (G) 171 Upper limb disorders: assessing the risks.
IND (G) 174 A short guide to the Personal Protective
Equipment at Work Regs. 1992.

1 - 48

IND (G) 175 Hand arm vibration: advice for employers.

IND (G) 233 P reventing dermatitis at work: advice for
employers and employees.
IND (G) 242 In the driving seat: Advice to employers on
reducing back pain in drivers and
machinery operators.
Breathing
IND (G) 63
IND (G) 95
IND (G) 137
IND (G) 172
IND (G) 188
IND (G) 223
IND (G) 248
IND (G) 255
Noise
IND (G) 75
IND (G) 99
IND (G) 127
IND (G) 193
IND (G) 200
IND (G) 201
IND (G) 263

Passive smoking at work.

Respiratory sensitisers and COSHH: an
employers guide.
Grin and wear it: re s p i r a t o ry protective
equipment.
B reathe easy: a workers pocket card on
respiratory sensitisers
Asbestos alert (pocket card) for building
maintenance, repair andre f u r b i s h m e n t
workers.
Managing asbestos in workplace buildings.
Solder fume and you.
Asbestos dust kills.
I n t roducing the Noise at Work Regs: a brief
guide to the re q u i rements for contro l l i n g
noise at work.
Noise at work: advice to employees
Noise in Construction
Health surveillance in noisy industries.
Ear protection in noisy firm s : employers
duties explained.
Hear this: a pocket card for employees in
noisy working environments.
Keep the noise down.

D a n g e rous substances general

IND (G) 91
D rug abuse at work.
IND (G) 115 An introduction to the Control of Explosives
Regulations.
IND (G) 136 COSHH: the new brief guide for employers.
Rev.
IND (G) 181D The complete idiots guide to CHIP2: a guide
to the Chemicals (Hazard Information and
Packaging) Regs.
IND (G) 182 Why do I need a safety data sheet?: for those
who use or supply dangerous chemicals.
IND (G) 227 Safe working with flammable substances.
IND (G) 231 Electrical safety and you.
IND (G) 238 Gas appliances: get them checked. Keep
them safe!
IND (G) 240 D o n t mix it: a guide for employers on
alcohol at work.
L 99(F)
General COSHH ACOP (1996 edition): a
brief guide to the changes.
PML 52
Substitution of hazardous substances.
MISC 155
Substitutes for chrysotile (white) asbestos.
D a n g e rous substances by type
HSE 8
Misuse of oxygen: fire and explosion in the
use and misuse of oxygen.
IND (G) 197 Working with sewage: the health hazards
a pocket card for employees.
IND (G) 198 Working with sewage: the health hazards
a guide for employers.
IND (G) 230 Storage and safe handling of Ammonium
nitrate.
IND (G) 248 Solder fume and you.
IND (G) 289 Working with asbestos in buildings.
IND (G) 297 Safety in gas welding and similar pro c e s s e s .
MSA 7
Cadmium and you.
MSA 13
Benzene and you.
MSA 15
Silica and you.
MSA 19
PCBs and you.
MSB 4
Skin cancer by pitch and tar.
MSB 5
Skin cancer by oil.
June 2005

First aid at work

IND (G) 214 First aid at work your questions answered.
IND (G) 215 Basic advice on first aid at work.
IND (G) 281 Help on work related stre s s .

IND (G) 119 Safety re p resentatives and safety committees

on off s h o re installations.
IND (G) 219 How offshore helicopter travel is regulated.
IND (G)239 Play your part!

Chemicals
IND (G) 98
P e rmits to work in the chemical industry.
IND (G) 186 Read the label: how to find out if chemicals
a re dangerous.

Transport
IND (G) 148 Reversing vehicles
IND (G) 150L Live rails kill!: advice for those who need to
work near live railway lines.
IND (G) 199 Managing vehicle safety at the workplace:
a short guide for employers.
IND (G) 216 Dispensing petrol as a fuel: health and
safety guidance for employees.
IND (G) 234 A re you involved in the carriage of
d a n g e rous goods by road or rail?

Engineering
EIS 1

Hot work on vehicle wheels.

Ionising radiation
IND (G) 206 Wear your dosemeter: poster.
IND (G) 207 Wear your dosemeter: a pocket card for
employees.
IND (G) 210 Radon in the workplace.
IRIS 1
Industrial radiography: ionising radiation
protection.
IRIS 2
Radiation doses: assessment and re c o rd i n g .
IRIS 3
P o rtable nuclear moisture density guages in
the construction industry.
MISC 05
Radiation safety.
MISC 035
Radon new guidance from HSE and BRE.
M a c h i n e ry
IND (G) 68
IND (G) 139
IND (G) 178
IND (G) 261
IND (G) 270
IND (G) 271

Do you use a steam/water pre s s u re cleaner?

You could be in for a shock! Rev.
Electric storage batterries: safe charging and
use.
Written schemes of examination: pre s s u re
systems.
P re s s u re systems safety and you.
Supplying safe machinery.
Buying new machinery.

Offices and other buildings

IACL 27
Legionnaires disease.
IND (G) 36
Working with VDUs.
IND (G) 173 Officewise.
IND (G) 236 Maintaining portable electrical equipment in
o ffices and other low risk environments.
OSR 1
O ffice, shop and railway pre m i s e s .
Off s h o reoil and gas
IND (G) 94
Offshore first-aid.

Woodworking
MISC 062
MISC 063
MISC 064
TOP 06
WIS 1
WIS 2
WIS 4
WIS 6
WIS 7
WIS 8
WIS 11
WIS 12
WIS 13
WIS 14
WIS 15
WIS 16
WIS 17
WIS 23
WIS 24
WIS 30
WIS 32

C i rcular saws poster.

Woodworking machines poster.
Planing machines poster.
Supervising for safety in woodworking: are
you a good supervisor?
Wood dust: hazards and pre c a u t i o n s .
Safe stacking and handling of timber and
board.
Band saws.
COSHH and the woodworking industries.
Accidents at woodworking machines.
Planing and moulding machines.
H a rdwood dust survey.
Assessment and control of wood dust: use of
dust lamps.
Noise at woodworking machines.
Selection of re s p i r a t o ry protective equipment
suitable for use with wood dust.
Safe working at woodworking machines.
C i rcular saw benches: safe working
practices.
Safety in the use of hand-fed planing
machines.
LEV: general principles of system designs.
LEV: dust capture at sawing machines.
Toxic woods.
Safe collection of woodwaste: prevention or
f i re and explosion.

HSE VIDEOS
Best Signs Story (health and safety signs and symbols)
Control of Legionella
Escaping the Maze of Health and Safety Inform a i t o n
Make Health Your Business
A Matter of Life and Breath (occupational asthma)
Occupational Health
Rash Decisions (derm a t i t i s )
Alive or Dead (electricity)
Live Wi res (electricity)
Dangerous Manoeuvres (lift trucks)
Local Exhaust Ventilation Systems
The Cutting Edge (woodworking machinery)
P a rt 1. Managing for Safety
P a rt 2. A Safe Machine
P a rt 3. A Healthy Business
NOTE

June 2005

Microbiological Risks when Working With Sewage and

Sludge
A Clean Sweep (contaminated gro u n d )
Confined Space Hazards in the Construction Industry
High Designs (work at height during maintenance
operations)
Kids on Site
Game Over (children on site)
One Step Away (ro o f w o r k )
Plan Your Slinging

A complete list of guidance leaflets is given in the current List of free publications, available fro m
HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO1O 6FS.
A list of all priced HSE publications is also available from HSE Books.
Copies of Out of Print publications may be obtained from the British Library Document Supply Centre ,
Boston Spa, Wetherby, West Yo r k s h i reL523 7BQ

1 - 49

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1 - 50

December 2006