Regulations

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 set out the essential duties employers must follow to protect workers and others from harm. They build on the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 by requiring a proactive, structured approach to managing workplace risks.

🔗 Legislation: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/3242/contents/made

Employers and self‑employed persons must carry out “suitable and sufficient” risk assessments covering employees and anyone affected by their work. Assessments must be reviewed when no longer valid or when significant changes occur.

🔗 Regulation 3: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/3242/regulation/3/made

Employers with five or more employees must record significant findings. Additional requirements apply to young persons and new or expectant mothers.

The regulations require employers to follow the general principles of prevention, including avoiding risks, tackling hazards at source, adapting work to individuals, and prioritising collective protective measures over individual ones.

🔗 Schedule 1: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/3242/schedule/1/made

Employers must plan, organise, control, monitor, and review the preventive and protective measures needed to manage risks effectively. These arrangements must be documented where five or more employees are employed.

🔗 Regulation 5: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/3242/regulation/5/made 

Where risks make it necessary, employers must provide appropriate health surveillance to protect workers’ long‑term health.

🔗 Regulation 6: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/3242/regulation/6/made

Employers must appoint one or more competent persons to assist in meeting health and safety duties. Preference must be given to competent employees before considering external support.

🔗 Regulation 7: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/3242/regulation/7/made 

Employers must establish procedures for serious and imminent danger, nominate competent persons to implement evacuation procedures, and ensure only trained individuals access dangerous areas.

🔗 Regulation 8: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/3242/regulation/8/made 

Employees must receive clear information on risks and control measures, along with appropriate training at recruitment and whenever risks change. Temporary workers and young persons require additional information.

🔗 Regulation 10: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/3242/regulation/10/made 

🔗 Regulation 13: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/3242/regulation/13/made 

Where multiple employers share a workplace, they must cooperate, coordinate safety measures, and share relevant risk information to ensure everyone is protected.

🔗 Regulation 11: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/3242/regulation/11/made 

Young Persons

Restrictions apply to high‑risk work unless properly supervised and necessary for training.

🔗 Regulation 19: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/3242/regulation/19/made 

New or Expectant Mothers

Employers must assess risks and make suitable adjustments, or suspend on maternity grounds if required.

🔗 Regulation 16: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/3242/regulation/16/made 

Employers cannot rely on employee actions as a defence for failing to meet their duties. Certain breaches relating to maternity protection are actionable in civil law.

🔗 Regulation 21: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/3242/regulation/21/made 

Some exemptions apply to the armed forces and ship crews, and the regulations extend to certain activities outside Great Britain.

🔗 Regulation 22–23: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/3242/contents/made