The Working Time Regulations

The Working Time Regulations (1998) implement the European Working Time Directive into GB law.

The Regulations were amended, with effect from 1 August 2003, to extend working time measures in full to all non-mobile workers in road, sea, inland waterways and lake transport, to all workers in the railway and offshore sectors, and to all workers in aviation who are not covered by the Civil Aviation (Working Time) Regulations 2004. The Regulations will apply to junior doctors from 1 August 2004.

Useful Documents

• DTI - Guidance to the Working Time Regulations
• The Working Time Regulations (1998)
• The Working Time (Amendment) Regulations 2003

HSE is responsible for the enforcement of:

• The maximum weekly working time limit;
• Night work limits; and;
• Health assessments for night work.

HSE does not however, enforce:

• Time off;
• Rest break entitlements; or;
• Paid annual leave entitlements.

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All initial enquiries should be dealt with by ACAS, (the Arbitration, Conciliation and Advisory Service). ACAS will be able to help with matters concerned with time off, rest breaks, paid annual leave and other general employment information. You can contact the ACAS National Helpline on: Tel: 08457 474747

• ACAS website

More formal enforcement responsibilities are split between HSE, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). Contact details for these organisations can be found by clicking on the links below.

Useful Links

• The Department for Trade and Industry
• The Maritime & Coastguard Agency
• The Civil Aviation Authority
• The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA)
• The Department of Health
• The Department for Transport