Navigating the list of health and safety legislation in the UK is essential for any employer, manager, or safety professional.
The UK’s workplace safety framework is built on comprehensive laws designed to protect employees, contractors, visitors, and the public.
In this guide, we’ve compiled the most important UK health and safety laws and regulations you need to know, including the most important workplace safety laws and compliance requirements, along with advice for staying compliant and avoiding fines.
UK Health and Safety Legislation: List of Key Laws and Regulations
Quick Reference: List of Key Health and Safety Legislation in the UK
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
- Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
- Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
- Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 1992 (PPE)
- Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992 (DSE)
- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)
- Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR)
- Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
- Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
- Fire Safety Order 2005
- Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER)
- Confined Spaces Regulations 1997
- Work at Height Regulations 2005
- Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
- Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005
- Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM)
- Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017
The Foundation: Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA)
Often described as the “cornerstone” of UK workplace safety legislation, Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA) sets out the general duties that employers, employees, and others have to ensure a safe and healthy working environment. It provides the legal foundation upon which all other health and safety regulations are built.
Who the Act Applies To
HASAWA is intentionally broad in its scope and applies to almost everyone involved in work-related activities. This includes:
- Employers: Responsible for safeguarding the health, safety, and welfare of their employees and anyone else affected by their work.
- Employees: Must take reasonable care of their own safety and that of their colleagues, and cooperate with their employer’s safety policies.
- Contractors and the self-employed: Required to manage risks their work creates for themselves and others.
- Owners and occupiers of premises: Must ensure that visitors and the public are not put at risk by their activities.
The Act outlines several key responsibilities designed to create a safe working environment, which we break down in our more detailed blog on Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
By setting these overarching principles, HASAWA ensures that safety is embedded in every aspect of workplace operations — from daily tasks to long-term strategic planning.
Key Regulations Every Employer Should Know
Building on the foundation of HASAWA, a number of more specific UK health and safety regulations provide detailed requirements for managing different aspects of workplace safety. These are the key safety laws every employer should understand to remain compliant.
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR)
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 make risk management a central part of workplace safety. Employers must:
- Carry out risk assessments: Identify hazards, evaluate risks, and implement appropriate control measures.
- Implement preventive measures: Take action to eliminate or reduce risks as far as reasonably practicable.
- Appoint competent persons: Designate someone with the necessary skills and knowledge to oversee health and safety matters.
Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
These rules set basic standards for the working environment, covering aspects such as:
- Adequate lighting, ventilation, and temperature.
- Cleanliness, hygiene, and safe access routes.
- Facilities such as toilets, washing stations, and rest areas.
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
PUWER ensures that all equipment provided for use at work is:
- Suitable and safe: Appropriate for its intended purpose.
- Properly maintained: Regularly inspected and serviced.
- Used competently: Employees must receive adequate training on how to operate equipment safely.
Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
These regulations aim to reduce injuries caused by lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling loads. Employers must:
- Avoid hazardous manual handling where possible.
- Assess unavoidable tasks and implement measures to minimise risk.
Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 1992 (PPE)
PPE must be provided free of charge when other safety measures cannot fully control risks. Employers are also responsible for:
- Ensuring PPE is suitable, maintained, and stored correctly.
- Training employees in its correct use.
Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992 (DSE)
To protect employees who use computers or screens for significant parts of their work, employers must:
- Assess and optimise workstations.
- Provide regular breaks or changes of activity.
- Offer eye tests when requested.
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)
COSHH requires employers to control exposure to hazardous substances by:
- Identifying and assessing potential chemical, biological, or dust hazards.
- Implementing control measures, monitoring exposure, and conducting health surveillance if needed.
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR)
Under RIDDOR, certain incidents must be reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), including:
- Serious workplace injuries and fatalities.
- Diagnosed occupational diseases.
- Dangerous occurrences (near misses) that could have caused harm.
Specialised Regulations for Higher-Risk Environments
Some workplaces face greater risks and therefore require more specific legal protections. These specialised regulations focus on high-risk activities and environments:
Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
- Identifying asbestos in premises and managing exposure risks.
- Training workers and maintaining asbestos management plans.
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
- Ensuring electrical systems are constructed, maintained, and used safely.
- Requiring inspection and testing by competent personnel.
Fire Safety Order 2005
- Conducting fire risk assessments.
- Installing fire detection, alarms, and emergency plans.
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER)
- Ensuring lifting equipment is safe, strong, stable, and regularly inspected.
Confined Spaces Regulations 1997
- Avoiding entry into confined spaces where possible.
- Implementing safe systems of work and emergency procedures when entry is necessary.
Work at Height Regulations 2005
- Planning and supervising work at height.
- Providing appropriate equipment and fall prevention measures.
Additional Regulations for Specific Risks and Sectors
Finally, several other regulations apply in specific scenarios or industries:
- Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005: Preventing hearing damage from prolonged noise exposure.
- Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005: Protecting workers from hand-arm and whole-body vibration injuries.
- Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM): Managing safety throughout the lifecycle of construction projects.
- Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017: Ensuring safe handling and control of radioactive materials.
How to Stay Compliant: Practical Tips for Businesses
Many of these regulations are not applicable to most organisations, but even if you don’t work in a higher-risk industry, it’s essential to ensure compliance with UK health and safety laws and other general workplace safety regulations.
Conducting regular risk assessments and audits is a good way of checking that you’re remaining compliant with the criteria from key regulations. Risk assessment software and digital audit tools can make this process much easier and also provide a clear audit trail that may be required for any external inspections.
Similarly, having a platform that allows you to report, manage, and analyse incidents or near misses helps you to efficiently follow up on events and put preventative measures in place.
An all-in-one EHS software solution can bring all of these features together to help you monitor and prove compliance all within one central location.
It’s also good practice to have a dedicated individual who remains informed about legislative updates and relays this information to the rest of the team and updates key policy documents accordingly.
Conclusion: Building a Safer, Compliant Workplace
UK Health and safety legislation is designed to do more than simply satisfy legal requirements — it’s there to protect people. From the foundational principles set out in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to the more specific regulations that address risks across different environments and industries, these laws create a comprehensive framework that safeguards workers, visitors, and the public.
While the range of legislation may seem daunting, compliance doesn’t have to be complicated. By taking a proactive approach — carrying out regular risk assessments, keeping policies up to date, training your team, and using the right tools to manage safety processes — you can turn legal obligations into practical, everyday actions that build a stronger, safer workplace.
Book a demo to learn how you can stay ahead of governance, risk, and compliance requirements with our all-in-one EHS platform.
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