Simpler regulations come into force today

HSE Press Release C041:02 - 17 September 2002

New legislation aimed at clarifying and simplifying elements of health and safety law comes into force today, covering areas such as first aid, display screens, personal protective equipment, manual handling, work equipment, lifting operations and quarries.

Introducing the new amending regulations, Bill Callaghan, Chair of the Health and Safety Commission (HSC), said:

"There are some important issues dealt with in these amendments. They cover a number of significant changes that will affect a wide range of important health and safety measures.

"These amendments will help greatly in clarifying and simplifying the requirements of the law. I hope these changes will make the regulations covered by these amendments more accessible to employees, who have important rights and obligations under these pieces of legislation."

The proposed changes have been made to clarify a number of issues recently raised by the European Commission (EC) on specific aspects of the UK implementation of the Framework Directive (89/391/EEC) and to address some minor drafting problems that have since been identified in some sets of regulations, for example, cross-references within regulations that are incorrect.

Notes to editors

1. The Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002 are available at - http://www.legislation.gov.uk

2. Further guidance on the Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002 will be published in due course.

3. The Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002 (Statutory Instrument (S.I.) number S.I. 2002 No. 2174) amend the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1991; Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992; Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992; Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992; Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998; Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 and the Quarries Regulations 1999.

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