As part of keeping aware of legal updates, we always advise our clients to keep an eye on our Twitter feed which is where we will link you to news of legal and general updates as they happen. The last significant piece of legislation updated was Reporting of Injuries Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 2013, which came into force on 1st October 2013.
Generally, safety legislation does not change that often; however, as part of the red tape challenge, there have been some changes over the last few months to guidance in the form of Approved Codes of Practice (ACoP) and guidance issued by the HSE. Some guidance is no longer Approved which means that its legal status has been downgraded, but the requirement for employers to ‘risk assess their requirements and match their provision to need’ has not changed in any way.
We would therefore like to draw everyone’s attention to the following legal updates/updated guidance. All of these publications are free to download via the HSE website go to HSE books where there is a wealth of great guidance:
- INDG453 – A brief guide to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) small pamphlet, good for reminding everyone on RIDDOR
- L24 Approved Code of Practice on Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations 1992
- L74 – The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981. Guidance on Regulations. No longer an Approved Code of Practice
- HSG 65 Managing for Health & Safety now a much easier read
- L8 Approved Codes of Practice for the control of Legionella bacteria
- L143 – Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. Approved Code of Practice and guidance
- EH40/2005 Workplace Exposure Limits for anyone undertaking their COSHH assessments
For legislation around Environmental Issues, you can find up to date information on the Environment Agency website. Some new or updated legislation in February you may need to be aware of is:
- The Building Regulations 2010 this has been updated to include The Building (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2014 (SI 2014/110 (W.10)), introducing new rules for energy efficiency in buildings in Wales
- The Regulation (EC) No 1005/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on substances that deplete the ozone layer as amended ((EU) No 1087/2013) – has been updated to include a ban on the sale of methyl bromide or its use in quarantine
If you are a public body, please be aware of the The Energy Efficiency (Eligible Buildings) Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/3220) to ensure that you are looking into your energy efficiency plans.
