Repeals, Revocations and Amendments

6th April rings changes – some fear could compromise protections

On the 4th March 2013 the Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Repeals, Revocations and Amendments) Regulations 2013 were laid before Parliament and came into force on 6th April – these are still subject to Parliamentary approval.

The regulations repeal one Act and revoke twelve instruments – plus a related provision in the Factories Act 1961.

The reasoning behind these changes is a follows;

• They have been overtaken by more up to date regulations
• They are now redundant
• They do not deliver the intended benefits

The HSE state, “These changes do not compromise essential health and safety protections. The aim is to make the legislative framework simpler and clearer.”

That said, there is concern from some corners that a relaxing or removal of certain regulations could have its downside. Take for example the changes to the Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989, it states, “If there is no risk of injury to the head, then hard hats are not required by law.”

Does this mean that safety helmets are no longer needed?

Well no, employers will still need to adhere to the requirements of the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 1992 which have been amended so that they cover the provision and use of head protection on construction sites, thus maintaining the level of legal protection when the Construction (Head Protection) Regulations are revoked.

The HSE state that the changes do not compromise essential health and safety protections and are geared to make the legislative framework simpler and clearer.

Their aim is to assist employers to quickly and easily understand what they need to do to manage workplace risks.

The full list of measures being removed are;

• Celluloid and Cinematograph Film Act 1922
• Gasholders (Record of Examinations) Order 1938
• Shipbuilding and Ship-repairing Regulations 1960
• Celluloid and Cinematograph Film Act 1922 (Repeals and modifications) Regulations 1974
• Celluloid and Cinematograph Film Act 1922 (Exemptions) Regulations 1980
• Gasholders and Steam Boilers (Metrication) Regulations 1981
• Locomotives etc Regulations 1906 (Metrication) Regulations 1981
• Notification of Installations Handling Hazardous Substances Regulations 1982
• Docks, Shipbuilding etc (Metrication) Regulations 1983
• Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989
• Notification of Installations Handling Hazardous Substances (Amendment) Regulations 2002
• Notification of Conventional Tower Cranes Regulations 2010
• Notification of Conventional Tower Cranes (Amendment) Regulations 2010

We hope this information has helped – if you have any Health and Safety related question please give us a call on 0117 958 2070 or email; info@acornsafety.co.uk