Removing premises registration and record keeping requirements - What this change means

From 6 April 2009, employers will no longer have to register the factories, offices and shops in which their employees work with the relevant health and safety authority.

This is because new rules have removed the requirements to register under the Factories Act 1961 and the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act 1963.

This means that from 6 April 2009:

• factory employers will no longer have to complete the F9 form and register with the Health & Safety Executive (HSE);
• office and shop employers will no longer have to complete the OSR1 form and register with their local authority; and
• railway operators no longer have to complete the OSR7 form to register certain track-side buildings.

However, these changes do not affect the registration or form filling requirements of other legislation.  Some businesses will still have to register and submit forms under other regulations.  This will depend on the type of business and the regulations that govern it.  For example:

• food and catering businesses must continue to meet food standards registration and other requirements, which local authorities enforce;
• businesses producing, storing, using, and/or transporting substances defined under major hazard legislation, must continue to meet major hazard requirements, which the HSE enforces.

The general register for factories no longer applies

Also, from 6 April 2009, factory employers will no longer have to complete and keep the series of forms and records that make up the "general register" (ie forms F31, F32, F34, F35 and F36).

Further information

The background to this change can be found on our public consultation page.