Each page in this library is a plain-English summary of well-established UK legislation, always pointing back to the official source rather than replacing it.
Legal & Compliance Library
UK health & safety legislation, explained plainly.
Seventeen plain-English guides to the legislation most relevant to SafetyOps users — what it covers, who it applies to, and how SafetyOps supports evidencing compliance. This is education, not legal advice.
Every page in this library is educational only. For a specific compliance question, consult a competent person or the official legislation.gov.uk/HSE source linked from each page.
HSWA 1974
The foundational UK law placing a general duty on employers to protect the health, safety and welfare of employees and others affected by their work.
Management Regs 1999
Requires employers to carry out risk assessments and put in place arrangements to manage health and safety effectively.
COSHH 2002
Requires employers to control exposure to substances that can harm health, such as chemicals and dusts.
PUWER 1998
Requires work equipment to be suitable, well maintained, and used only by people who have received adequate information, instruction and training.
LOLER 1998
Requires lifting equipment to be strong, stable and suitable, positioned correctly, and thoroughly examined by a competent person.
RIDDOR 2013
Requires certain workplace injuries, occupational diseases and dangerous occurrences to be reported to the relevant enforcing authority.
Fire Safety Order 2005
Places fire safety responsibility on a 'responsible person' for most non-domestic premises in England and Wales.
Work at Height Regs 2005
Requires employers to ensure work at height is properly planned, supervised and carried out by competent people, avoiding the risk of a fall where possible.
Manual Handling Regs 1992
Requires employers to avoid hazardous manual handling where possible, and assess and reduce the risk where it can't be avoided.
DSE Regs 1992
Requires employers to assess and reduce risks to DSE (display screen equipment) users, including workstation setup and eye tests.
PPE Regs 1992
Requires employers to provide suitable PPE free of charge where risks can't be adequately controlled by other means.
Asbestos Regs 2012
Requires those with responsibility for non-domestic premises to manage asbestos risk, and sets strict controls on work that disturbs asbestos.
Noise Regs 2005
Requires employers to assess and control risks from exposure to noise at work, providing hearing protection where needed.
Vibration Regs 2005
Requires employers to assess and control risks from hand-arm and whole-body vibration.
Legionella (ACOP L8)
HSE's Approved Code of Practice on controlling legionella bacteria in water systems, supporting duties under HSWA and the Management Regulations.
First Aid Regs 1981
Requires employers to provide adequate and appropriate first-aid equipment, facilities and personnel.
Contractor Management
Not a single piece of legislation - a synthesis of general duties (principally HSWA 1974 and the Management Regulations 1999) as they apply to work carried out by contractors.