Field Operations Directorate (FOD)

Operational Circulars (OCs)

OCs are arranged according to a topic classification system.

• Operational index

Industry/health & safety topic-specific

The headings are arranged in alphabetical order:

• Agriculture
• Building and civil engineering
• Chemical and allied trades
• Clothing
• Electricity
• Food and drink
• Ionising radiations
• Laundries and allied trades
• Metal manufacture, working, treatment and finishing
• Mine and quarry products (except metals)
• Non-ionising radiations
• Paper and board
• Shipbuilding
• Textile and allied industries
• Transport and distribution
• Vehicles
• Miscellaneous: not elsewhere specified

Agriculture

[380-400]

Class	Definition
OC 380/1	COSHH Regs 1988 - Forced air filtration units for agricultural vehicles [11KB]
OC 380/3	Forestry Commission contractors [19KB]
OC 380/4	Liaison with Medicines Act Inspectors - Medicated animal feeding stuffs [9KB]
OC 380/5	Railway level crossings on farms [23KB]
OC 384/1	The Agriculture (Tractor Cabs) (Amendment) Regulation 1990 [8KB]
OC 390/1	Visits by HSE staff to poultry farms [8KB]
OC 390/2	Sheep dipping [18KB]
OC 394/1	Suspected adverse reactions surveillance scheme [38KB]
OC 396/1	Inspection and approval of agrochemical stores by river and fire authorities for the British Agrochemical Standards Inspection Scheme (BASIS) requirements [10KB]
OC 400/8	The control of pollution (silage, slurry and agricultural fuel oil) regulations 1991 [20KB]
OC 400/9	Maggot-Bait-Breeding Establishments – Health Problems [90KB]
OC 400/10	Nitrogen Dioxide at silage clamps [18KB]
OC 400/11	Preventing the spread of animal and plant diseases and pests [13KB]
OC 400/12	Toilet and washing facilities in agriculture [28KB]

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Building and civil engineering

[401-423]

Class	Definition
OC 401/3	The enforcement of fire safety standards during construction work [138KB]
OC 401/4	Enforcement of general fire precautions at temporary accommodation units on construction sites [21KB]
OC 404/20	The construction (head protection) regulations 1989 [29KB]
OC 404/21	Structural safety: Action by inspectors including liaison with local authorities [39KB]
OC 404/22	Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989: Exemptions [21KB]
OC 404/23	General fire precautions at temporary accommodation units on construction sites [155KB]
OC 406/5	Safe lifting of scaffolding tubes using fibre ropes [30KB]
OC 407/7	New certificate of approval for automatic safe load indicators [11KB]
OC 408/4	Transport platforms [85KB]
OC 415/9	The Boreholes Sites and Operations Regulations 1995 [33KB]
OC 417/5	Non-fragile rooflights used by Condor Group Technical [11KB]
OC 420/6	Work in Compressed Air Regulations 1996 [13KB]

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Chemical and allied trades

[430-462]

Class	Definition
OC 431/13	Chemical reactor safety - Test methods for exothermicity [32KB]
OC 431/15	Exothermic reactions [24KB]
OC 431/17	Power loss/surge (PLS) at chemical companies [15KB]
OC 433/4 (2 part)	Control of exposure to fume at coke ovens: Advice to employers [84KB]
OC 438/4	Medium pressure ductile iron gas pipes not owned by Transco [45KB]
OC 440/28v2	The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, the Gas Safety (Management) Regulations 1996 and the Pipelines Safety Regulations 1996 [35KB]
OC 440/29v2	The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998: SI 1998 No.2451 [39KB]
OC 440/30	Gas safety procedure and enforcement advice [74KB]
OC 440/31	Enforcement of gas safety at rented residential accommodation [45KB]
OC 440/33	Milestones in Gas Safety Legislation [30KB]
OC 440/34	Gas safety in touring caravans, motor-caravans, caravan holiday-homes and residential park-homes [132KB]
OC 440/35	Gas safety - alerting members of the public to installer incompetence [30KB]
OC 440/36	Investigation of riddor 6(1) domestic gas incidents [187KB]
OC 440/37	Dangerous gas fittings (gas industry unsafe situations procedure)
OC 447/3	Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988 - Health surveillance for the spraying of Isocyanates paints in the motor vehicle refinishing [16KB]
OC 447/4	Guides on cost-effective paint and powder coating: Environmental Technology Best Practice Programme (ETBPP) [15KB]
OC 449/6	Oil IAC Guidance on Permit-To-Work Systems [12KB]
OC 449/7	Prevention or creation of liquid slugs in flarelines [16KB]

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Clothing

[471-475]

Class	Definition
OC 474/4	Handling and making up of fabrics treated with fire resistant, crease resistant and other finishes - Health problems in the clothing and upholstery industries [20KB]

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Electricity

[480-507]

Class	Definition
OC 480/2	Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 [56KB]
OC 480/3	Training courses for electrical craftsmen and technicians City and Guild of London Institute [17KB]
OC 482/2	Electrical safety of independent low-voltage AC portable & mobile generators and connected systems [25KB]
OC 482/5 (Ver 2)	Administrative arrangements between HSE and the engineering inspectorate of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) [24KB]
OC 482/7	Control of health and safety risks from small gas turbines used for power generation [56KB]
OC 483/5	Dorman Smith Britmac 13 amp fuse units [8KB]
OC 483/7	Test Leads - Philips Multimeters [8KB]
OC 483/8	GEC Type AAK 11KV Switchgear [8KB]
OC 483/9	The Electro-Medical Equipment (EEC Requirements) Regulations 1988 [9KB]
OC 483/11	Uncovenanted starting of plant due to control system cross-connections [17KB]
OC 483/14	Electrical protection for mainframe computers [10KB]
OC 483/15	Electricity suppliers - Use of non-standard cut-out enclosures [10KB]
OC 483/16	Electrical isolation of large smoke extraction systems [9KB]
OC 483/18	Crompton Parkinson TF 15 AM 11 KV oil circuit-breaker failure [12KB]
OC 483/19	BS 5036: Part 2: 1990 [8KB]
OC 483/20	GEC-Alsthom Installation Equipment Ltd [8KB]
OC 483/21	Yorkshire Switchgear SO-HI Equipment [9KB]
OC 483/22	Low voltage switchgear and controlgear - BS EN standards [8KB]
OC 483/23	Merlin Gerin type DA 415V switchgear [35KB]
OC 483/25	Long and Crawford circuit breakers [37KB]
OC 483/26	Square D 11 KV switchgear type VAD 3 [9KB]
OC 483/27	Oil-filled electrical distribution and other switchgear [49KB]
OC 489/5	Unsafe electrical extension cable reels [47KB]
OC 489/6	The Plugs and Sockets Etc (Safety) Regulation 1994 [18KB]
OC 491/1	Ellison land-bar Bushbar systems [9KB]
OC 492/2	The drawing into ventilated electrical tools of conductive dusts [14KB]
OC 494/3	Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB) and second hand spare parts [8KB]
OC 494/5	Sulphur hexaflouride in electrical equipment [19KB]
OC 494/6	Polychlorinated biphenyls - sampling [14KB]
OC 495/4 (rev)	Electrostatic powder coating: British Coatings Federation: code of practice [17KB]
OC 495/5	Electrostatic hand-held spraying equipment for non flammable material for painting and finishing [20KB]
OC 497/1	Electromagnetic fields and radiation [77KB]
OC 497/2	Mobile phones and health: guidance from the Department of Health [26KB]
OC 498/14	Flame-proof right-angled adaptors manufactured by Redapt Engineering Company Ltd [16KB]
OC 501/11 (rev)	Electrical safety at lasers, magnetrons, accelerators, radio frequency equipment and the like [98KB]
OC 506/1	The effect of electromagnetic interference on electronic proximity devices used in guarding applications [78KB]

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Food and drink

[520-555]

Class	Definition
OC 520/15	Oil mist explosion in frying plant [91KB]
OC 520/16	Catering safety - food preparation machinery HSE booklet (HS (G) 35) [74KB]
OC 520/17	Industry guidance on the use of pallets and racking systems in temperature-controlled warehouses [122KB]
OC 520/18	Food safety legislation [111KB]
OC 520/19	Internal thermocladding building panels used in the food industry - launch of industry guide on management and control of fire risks [95KB]
OC 520/20	Teapackers Association CoP on the issue of potential respiratory sensitisation and occupational asthma [72KB]
OC 520/21	Guidance on achieving reasonable working temperatures and conditions during production of chilled foods [17KB]
OC 520/22	The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992: enforcement of hygienic design: Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Health and HSE [39KB]
OC 523/1	Flour dust in bakeries, airborne levels and ill health [80KB]
OC 523/3	Dust control in bakeries [88KB]
OC 523/4	Health and safety in bakeries - Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 [12KB]
OC 523/5	flour dust in bakeries: new guidance and video training package [15KB]
OC 523/6	Alleged restrictions on entry into food handling premises [17KB]
OC 524/8 supp 1	The Federation of Bakers Safety Memoranda [18KB]
OC 524/9	Publication of BS EN 60335-2-59 1995: safety of household and similar electrical appliances: insect killers [75KB]
OC 525/2	Manual handling in beer delivery [16KB]
OC 527/1	Failure of a rectangular sectional cast iron tank [80KB]
OC 527/2 (rev)	The bulk storage and handling of medium and high strength potable alcohol [108KB]
OC 535/2	Banana Ripening Rooms - Fire & explosion hazards in the use of Ethylene Gas [26KB]
OC 536/2	Fires and explosions in Animal Feed Mills [97KB]
OC 536/3	COSHH Regs 1988 - Guidance for the Animal Feed Industry and Supplement on Mel for grain dust [77KB]
OC 536/4	Animal feed mill - published guidance on health and safety [25KB]
OC 537/3	Flour Mills: Health & Safety Publications [87KB]
OC 537/4	The flour milling industry's approach to operations at unfenced machinery and The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1992 [79KB]
OC 537/5	Access onto the tops of road tankers in the flour milling industry [89KB]
OC 543/1	Zoonoses and Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy - Guidance for the Knackering (including at hunt kennels and maggot farms) and rendering industries [88KB]
OC 543/2	Safety in the meat industry [92KB]
OC 543/3	Upper limb disorders in poultry processing [78KB]
OC 543/4	Health and safety training in the meat industry [11KB]
OC 549/3	Milk delivery: Riding on the back of vehicles [20KB]
OC 553/1	Poultry stunners - BS 7314: 1990 Specification for electric stunners for poultry [60KB]

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Non-ionising radiations

[559]

Class	Definition
OC 559/7	Ignition hazards due to radio frequency sources: computer assessment of risk [77KB]
OC 559/8	Guidelines for magnetic resonance diagnostic equipment in clinical use [75KB]
OC 559/9	Ultra-violet radiation exposure from general workplace light sources

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Ionising radiations

[560-564]

Class	Definition
OC 560/26	Fitness for work with ionising radiations: experience from the medical review panel [92KB]
OC 560/27	Council Regulation (Euratom) No.1493/93 - On Shipments of Radioactive Substances Between Member States [203KB]
OC 560/28	The IRR Regs 1985: Occupational exposure to Low Specific Activity (LSA) Materials [19KB]
OC 560/31	Ionising Radiation Regulations 1985: Radioactively contaminated land [89KB]
OC 560/35	Ionising Radiation Incident Database [108KB]
OC 560/36	Occupational exposure to ionising radiation: Central Index of Dose Information [18KB]
OC 560/43	Handling applications for special entriesin dose records (Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 reg.22) [97KB]
OC 560/47	Prior authorisation of specified practices under the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999
OC 560/49	The Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 Industrial radiography: a guide to inspection [72KB]
OC 560/50	Occupational exposure to radon in workplace buildings [384KB]
OC 560/51	The Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999: Industrial radiography using pipeline crawling devices during the construction of oil and gas pipelines [42KB]
OC 560/52	The Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2001 [213KB]
OC 560/53	The Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 [49KB]
OCC 560/54	The Ionising Radiations Regs - Outside workers (including applications for exemption from issue and use of radiation passbooks) [72KB]
OC 563/38	Andrex Smart 300 portable industrial x-ray generators [266KB]
OC 563/41	The Ionising Radiation Regulations 1985: Critical examinations of installed articles [88KB]
OC 563/43	Ionising Radiations Regulations 1985: Type approval of radiation generators and apparatus and smoke detectors and gas filled self-luminous devices [37KB]
OC 564/6 (rev)	Thoriated Tungsten Electrodes [87KB]

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Laundries and allied trades

[570-576]

Class	Definition
OC 571/6	Drycleaning with hydrocarbon solvents [115KB]
OC 571/8 (rev)	Use of hydroflouric acid in spotting agents in the dry cleaning industry [94KB]

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Metal manufacture, working, treatment and finishing

[600-671]

Class	Definition
OC 605/46	Cable making industry: H & S Manual & HSE video [13KB]
OC 605/47	The wire rope industries: Joint Industrial Council [9KB]
OC 605/48 (was 505/1)	Storage racks for cable drums [11KB]
OC 632/5	Exposure to hardmetals in metalworking fluids during machine operations [12KB]
OC 632/6	Guide to health for manufacturers and users of hardmetal and hardmetal products [12KB]
OC 633/10	Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) punching and nibbling machines [49KB]
OC 634/7	Direct pressure blasting equipment [57KB]
OC 634/8	Control of dust and noise exposure during direct pressure blasting [50KB]
OC 635/8	Hot vapour cleaning - addition of fresh solvent [16KB]
OC 635/9	Trichloroethylene release due to an air hoist failure above a degreasing tank [13KB]
OC 641/5	Fatality caused by ejected flash during drop forging [14KB]
OC 641/6	Safeguarding Hot Forging Presses [136KB]
OC 642/10	Exposure of diamond polishers to Cobalt [13KB]
OC 647/9 (rev)	Vertical vacuum heat treatment furnaces in which inert atmospheres are employed [26KB]
OC 647/10	Use of flammable liquids and solid carbon dioxide in heat treatment processes [14KB]
OC 647/11	Gas fired special atmosphere furnaces: isolation and burner supervision [85KB]
OC 650/2	Guarding of horizontal milling machines: Use of DC injection brakes [11KB]
OC 652/1	Post weld cleaning using pickling pastes [129KB]
OC 655/6	Safety in electropolishing
OC 661/5	Safeguards at Bignozzi track presses [11KB]
OC 662/3	Safeguarding of tools at high risk pneumatic presses working on metal [33KB]
OC 663/28	The Power Presses Regulations 1965 and 1972 [44KB]
OC 665/6	Non-destructive testing techniques: magnetic particle flaw detection safe use of solvent based coating paints [15KB]
OC 668/17	Ozone and fume arising from welding on aluminium [20KB]
OC 668/18	Inspection of suppliers of welding equipment and consumables [26KB]
OC 668/18 supp 1	Inspection of Suppliers of Welding Equipment and Consumables: Compliance with HSW Act s.6: Provision of hazard information about welding consumables [49KB]
OC 668/18 supp 2	Inspection of suppliers of welding equipment and consumables: compliance with HSW Act S.6: electric arc welding equipment [54KB]
OC 668/19	Use of on-gun extraction to control welding fume [19KB]
OC 668/21	Welding and other electric arcs - alleged hazards to wearers of contact lenses [12KB]
OC 668/22 (2-part)	Plasma cutting: control of fume, gases and noise [38KB]
OC 668/23 (2-part)	Safeguarding of resistance welding machines [46KB]
OC 668/25 (2-part)	Personal protective equipment for welding and allied processes: Practical guidance on assessment and selection [136KB]
OC 668/26 (2-part)	Positioning equipment for manual and automatic welding: specialised machinery such as column and boom, rotators, and positioners [156KB]
OC 668/27 (2-part)	The safe use of oxy-propane preheating torches [141KB]
OC 668/29	Control of fume arising from electric arc welding [62KB]
OC 668/30	Oxy-fuel gas cutting [51KB]
OC 669/3	British Standards BS EN 287: 1992 - Approval testing of welders for fusion welding [11KB]
OC 669/4	British Standards BS EN 288: 1992 - Specification and Approval of welding procedures for metallic materials Parts 1 to 4 [11KB]

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Mine and quarry products (except metals)

[680-700]

Class	Definition
OC 687/5	Safety in the handling of flat glass [16KB]
OC 687/7	The hazards associated with the silvering of mirrors, vacuum flasks etc. [39KB]
OC 690/12 (rev)	Safe operation of kilns in ceramic craft studios [22KB]
OC 690/13	Safe operation of ball mills used in potteries and allied industries [187KB]
OC 692/3	Planning applications at or near quarries [36KB]
OC 693/6	The Quarries Regulations 1999 [82KB]
OC 693/7	Cooperation between HSE and the coal authority
OC 696/2	The use of small vehicles in quarries and open-cast coal quarries
OC/700/2	Exemptions Under Quarries Regualtions 1999 [15KB]

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Paper and board

[701-702]

Class	Definition
OC 702/20	Safety specifications published by the British Fibreboard Packaging Association [15KB]

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Shipbuilding

[730-731]

Class	Definition
OC 730/8	Work carried out by ships' crews in shipyards and dry docks [10KB]
OC 730/9	Storage and use of oxygen and fuel gases on board ships under construction or repair [47KB]
OC 730/11	Temporary electrical installations in shipbuilding and ship repairing [103KB]
OC 730/12 (2 part)	Staging around ships and boats in build and repair yards [40KB]
OC 730/13 (2 part)	Application of surface coatings to ships & tanks [41KB]
OC 730/15	Marine anti-fouling coatings [84KB]
OC 730/16	the Shipbuilding and Ship-repairing Health and Safety Consultative Committee and the Shipbuilders and Ship-repairers Association (SSA) health and safety guidance notes [15KB]
OC 730/17	Health and safety during ships; mooring operations [68KB]

 

Textile and allied industries

[742-772]

Class	Definition
OC 742/1	Sewing machines and electromagnetic fields [15KB]
OC 742/2	Control of Cotton and Wool Process Dusts [84KB]
OC 755/1	Textile humidification and air-conditioning systems [21KB]
OC 764/3	Explosion risk at pressure vessels used for bleaching textile materials and hydrogen peroxide [24KB]
OC 767/1	Safety at fibre rope, cordage and net making machinery [12KB]
OC 770/7	Safeguarding metal spinning machines [116KB]

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Transport and distribution

[780-794]

Class	Definition
OC 783/3	Dangerous Substances in Harbour Areas Regulations 1987 (DSHAR): Part 1X - Explosives [13KB]
OC 786/5	Railway safety legislation [18KB]
OC 789/4	'Road traffic type' issues: overlap with other enforcement agencies [21KB]
OC 789/5	Risks to the public from un/loading vehicles on the highway [23KB]
OC 790/12	Repairs to fork arms for fork-lift trucks [12KB]
OC 790/16	Rider-operated lift trucks: operator training and approved code of practice [22KB]
OC 793/2	Fitness to drive: Vocational drivers [25KB]
OC 794/3	The Freight Containers (Safety Convention) Regulations 1984 [44KB]

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Vehicles

[800-805]

Class	Definition
OC 801/2	Sport parachuting: Liaison between HSE inspectors and the civil aviation authority (CAA) [10KB]
OC 801/2 supp 1	Sport parachuting - liaison between HSE inspectors and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA): MOD Parachuting [10KB]
OC 803/55	Safe use of dumpers [11KB]
OC 803/56	British Standard BS AU 161: Part 2: 1989 specification for mobile vehicle lifts [9KB]
OC 803/58	Vehicle Finishing Units – Risks from Gross Leakage of Fuels [41KB]
OC 803/62	Explosion hazard from heat applied to pneumatic tyres [11KB]
OC 803/69	Application of PUWER & LOWER to MVR [78KB]
OC 803/70	Closed circuit TV on road going vehicles [32KB]
OC 803/71	Apllication of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulation (DSEAR) 2002 to motor vehicle repair and part 2 (id doc) [18KB]

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Miscellaneous: not elsewhere specified

[811-847]

Class	Definition
OC 655/7	COMAH application at surface treatment sites
OC 811/30	Safeguarding Multi-Blade Roof Truss Saws [274KB]
OC 846/8	Environmental Protection Act 1990: Licensing of waste disposal sites [32KB]
OC 847/4	Water boreholes: Potential hazard from methane evolution [2.7MB]
OC 847/9	Sewage sludge drying plant [78KB]
OC 847/10	Reservoirs and HSW Act: inspection policy [28KB]