CD214 - A consultation document on proposals to amend regulations on explosives; to revoke obsolete local mining regulations; and to correct an omission in the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005.

This consultation ended on 1 February 2008

Summary

This consultation seeks comments on proposed regulations – The Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments and Revocations) Regulations. The regulations cover:

• amendments to explosives legislation intended to reduce paperwork for police and holders of explosives certificates and to address issues in the Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations that have come to light since the regulations came into force in 2005;
• the revocation of 224 sets of local mining regulations;
• an amendment to address an omission in the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005.

The main changes to reduce paperwork are the proposals to disapply the requirement for an Explosive Certificate in respect of firearms certificate holders wishing to hold a small amount of explosive for use with their firearm.

The document also sets out proposals to increase the life of explosives certificates to five years (in line with firearms legislation). This would in turn enable the life of many licences and registration for the storage of explosives to be extended from 3 to 5 years.

The amendments to the Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations address a number of issues that have become apparent since the regulations came into force. In the main the changes are addressing drafting anomalies and other issues. However there are some proposals that would involve changes to the requirements. The main substantive changes are:

• changes to the mechanism for transferring a licence to give the licensing authority the power to refuse a transfer where the transferee is not a fit person to manufacture and/or store explosives;
• changes to enable licensing authorities to vary a registration and, in certain circumstances, further limit the amount of explosives that can be stored at a registered store;
• a proposed new duty on the accuracy of the labelling or other information about the amount of explosive contained in fireworks.

The proposals would amend the Control of Noise at Work Regulations to correct an oversight in the original regulations by including a requirement for hearing protection supplied for use at work to comply with the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 2002.

The proposals would also revoke 224 sets of obsolete local mine regulations (ie specific to one mine).

• View the consultation document [404KB]
• Respond to the consultation using the online questionnaire or download a form to complete

Responses should be sent to:

Cherone Ashdown
Mines, Quarries and Explosives Policy
Health and Safety Executive
7NW Rose Court
2 Southwark Bridge
London SE1 9HS
e-mail: explosives.policy@hse.gov.uk

to be received by Friday 1 February 2008