Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (c. 37)

Part I U.K. Health, Safety and Welfare in connection with Work, and Control of Dangerous Substances and Certain Emissions into the Atmosphere

Extent Information

E1 For the application of Pt. I to Northern Ireland see s. 84(1).

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Pt. 1 (ss. 1–54) extended by S.I. 1981/1011, reg. 9, 1983/1919, reg. 3

Pt. 1 (ss. 1-54) modified (E.W.S.) (1.2.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 5(5)(b) (with ss. 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 2

Pt. 1 (ss. 1-54) modified (E.W.S.) (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 33(5)(c) (with s. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3

Pt. 1 (ss. 1-54) amended (E.W.S.) (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 30(2) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3

Pt. 1 (ss. 1-54) amended (E.W.S.) (1.3.1996) by 1995 c. 45, s. 16(1), Sch. 4 para. 10(1)(a)(3); S.I. 1996/218, art. 2

C2 Pt. 1 (ss. 1–54) extended by Gas Act 1986 (c. 44, SIF 44:2), ss. 18, 48(3)(4)

C3 Pt. 1 (ss. 1–54) applied by Gas Act 1986 (c. 44, SIF 44:2), s. 67(3), Sch. 8 para. 6(2)

C4 Pt. 1 (ss. 1–54) amended by Consumer Protection Act 1987 (c. 43, SIF 109:1), s. 36

C5 Pt. 1 (ss. 1–54) amended by S.I. 1988/1222, regs. 3, 4

C6 Pt. 1 (ss. 1–54) extended by S.I. 1989/1671, reg. 4

C7 Pt. 1 (ss. 1–54) amended by S.I. 1989/1810, reg. 3 (which S.I. was revoked (1.2.1993) by S.I. 1992/3217, reg. 25).

C8 Pt. 1 (ss. 1–54) amended by S.I. 1990/1380, reg. 3

Pt. 1 (ss. 1-54) saved by Highland Regional Council (Harbours) Order Confirmation Act (c. xii), s. 1, Sch. s. 61(1)(f)

Pt. 1 (ss. 1-54) definition applied (E.W.) (1.12.1991) by Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56, SIF 130), ss. 206(3)(g), 223(2)

Pt. 1 (ss. 1-54) saved by London Underground (Safety Measures) Act 1991 (c. xviii), s. 11(2)

Pt. 1 (ss. 1-54) saved by City of Edinburgh District Council Order Confirmation Act 1991 (c. xix), s. 1, Sch. 1 Pt. XII para. 67(2)

C9 Pt. 1 extended by S.I. 1978/752, reg. 3

Pt. 1 (ss. 1-54): transfer of functions (E.W.) (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 2(1)(g)(2)(c) (with ss. 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3

Pt. 1 (ss. 1-54): transfer of functions (S.) (12.10.1995) by 1995 c. 25, s. 21(1)(g) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1995/2649, art. 2

Pt. 1 (ss. 1-54): transfer of functions (E.W.S.) (12.10.1995) by 1995 c. 25, s. 21(2)(a) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1995/2649, art. 2

C10 Pt. 1 (ss. 1-54) extended (E.W.S.) (6.3.1992) by Offshore Safety Act 1992 (c. 15), S. 1(1)

C11 Pt. 1 (ss. 1-54) amended (E.W.S.) (6.3.1992) by Offshore Safety Act 1992 (c. 15), s. 1(1)

Pt. 1 (ss. 1-54) amended (E.W.S.) (2.2.1994) by 1993 c. 43, s. 117(1)(6), 150(1)(e); S.I. 1994/202, art. 2

C12 Pt. 1 (ss. 1-54) extended (E.W.S.) (1.2.1993) by S.I. 1992/3217, reg. 4

C13 Pt. 1 (ss. 1-54) modified (E.W.S.) (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/2051, reg. 16(2)

C14 Pt. 1 (ss. 1-54) extended (E.W.S.) (6.3.1992) by Offshore Safety Act 1992 (c. 15), s. 2(1)

Pt. 1 (ss. 1-54) extended (E.W.S.) (2.2.1994) by 1993 c. 43, ss. 117(2)(6), 150(1)(e); S.I. 1994/202, art. 2

C15 Pt. 1 (ss. 1-54) applied (with modifications) (14.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/860, reg. 2

C16 Pt. 1 (ss. 1-54) applied (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/1517, reg. 12(3), Sch. 4 para. 12(3)(c)

Pt. 1: functions of local authority not to be responsibility of an executive of the authority (E.) (16.11.2000) by virtue of S.I. 2000/2853, reg. 2(1), Sch. 1 Table C

C17 Pt. 1 restricted (S.) (1.10.2006) by 2005 asp 5, ss. 70, 90; S.I. 2006/458, art. 2 (subject to art. 3)

C18 Pt. 1 modified (prosp.) by Energy Act 2008 (c. 32), ss. 99(1), 110

C19 Pt. 1: power to repeal or modify conferred (prosp.) by Energy Act 2008 (c. 32), ss. 99(1)(2), 110

C20 Pt. 1 modified (1.1.2018) by The Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/1075), regs. 1(2), 2(3) (with regs. 2(5), 3, Sch. 8)

C21 Pt. 1 applied (E.W.S.) (6.2.2018) by The Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/1322), regs. 1, 18

Provisions as to offences U.K.

38 Restrictions on institution of proceedings in England and Wales. U.K.

Proceedings for an offence under any of the relevant statutory provisions shall not, in England and Wales, be instituted except by an inspector [F1 , the Environment Agency or the Natural Resources Body for Wales] by or with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 38 substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 113 (with Sch. 7)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C22 S. 38 applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2-10

S. 38 excluded (with saving) (E.W.S.) (1.12.1997) by S.I. 1997/1840, regs. 7, 9

S. 38 extended (E.W.S.) (1.10.1996) by S.I. 1996/1513, reg. 10

Ss. 18(6)(7)(b), 19-22, 23(1)(2)(5), 24-26, 33(1)(e)-(h)(o)(2)(2A)(3)(4)(e), 34(3)-(5), 35, 36(1)(2), 37-39, 42 applied (with modifications) (9.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3260, reg. 17(3)(5)

S. 38: power to apply conferred (E.W.S.) (28.8.1995) by 1995 c. 15, ss. 2(4)(i), 5 (with s. 3(5))

Ss. 18-27, 33(1)(e)-(i)(n)(o)(2)-(4), 34(2)-(6), 36(1), 37-42, 46 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (16.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/772, reg. 17

Ss. 19-28, 33-35, 38, 39, 41, 42 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.3.1996) by S.I. 1996/192, reg. 15, Sch. 14 para. 1(b)

Ss. 19-28, 33-35, 38, 39, 41, 42 applied (with modifications) (1.7.1997) by S.I. 1997/831, reg. 19(1)-(4), Sch. 15 para. 1(a)(b)

Ss. 16-26, 33-42, 47 applied (15.11.2000) by S.I. 2000/2831, reg. 26(1)(a)

C23 S. 38 applied (with modifications) (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/3073, reg. 28, Sch. 6 para. 1(b)

S. 38 applied (15.2.1999) by 1998 c. 17, s. 20(3), (with s. 9(1)(2), Sch. 3 para. 5(1)); S.I. 1999/161, art. 2(1)(2)

C24 Ss. 35-39 modified (6.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/711, regs. 1(2), 28(3)(b)(5)(a)

C25 Ss. 33-42 applied (with modifications) (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/743, reg. 20(1)(d), (2)(3)

C26 Ss. 33-42 applied (with modifications) (19.11.1999) by S.I. 1999/2892, reg. 16(1)

Ss. 33-42 applied (20.9.2001) by S.I. 2001/2975, reg. 19(d)

C27 S. 38 applied (with modifications) (29.11.1999) by S.I. 1999/2001, reg. 24(1), Sch. 8 para. 1(b)

C28 Ss. 1-59, 80-82 applied (11.7.2001) by S.I. 2001/2127, arts. 4(1), 5(1)(2), 6(1), 7(1), 8(1), 10 (with art. 11) (as amended by S.I. 2009/1750, art. 2(2)(4))

Ss. 33-42 applied (E.W.S.) (24.7.2002) by S.I. 2002/1689, reg. 14(1)(b)

Ss. 33-42 applied (16.5.2002) by S.I. 2002/1166, reg. 31 (with art. 37)

C29 S. 38 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (22.3.2003 for certain purposes and 22.9.2003 otherwise) by S.I. 2003/403, regs. 1(2), 23(2)(a)(3)

C30 S. 38 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (3.5.2004) by S.I. 2004/129, reg. 23(3)(e); s. 38 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (9.6.2004) by S.I. 2004/1309, reg. 17; s. 38 applied (E.W.S.) (22.4.2005) by S.I. 2005/928, reg. 4(2)(3)(5)(6); s. 38 applied (2.4.2006) by S.I. 2006/397, reg. 34(3)(d)

C31 Ss. 37-41 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (the amendment coming into force in accordance with art. 1(1) of the amending S.I.) by The Channel Tunnel (Safety) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/3531), art. 4(2)(3)(h) (subject to (4)-(6)) (with art. 7)

C32 Ss. 1-59, 80-82 applied (temp.) (5.8.2009) by The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (Application outside Great Britain) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/2127), arts. 8A, 8B (as inserted by S.I. 2009/1750, art. 2(3))

C33 Ss. 33-42 applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (12.8.2009 with application in accordance with reg. 3 of the amending S.I.) by The Major Accident Off-Site Emergency Plan (Management of Waste from Extractive Industries)(England and Wales) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/1927), {reg. 9(1)}

C34 Ss. 37-41 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (6.4.2010) by The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Non-Interoperable Rail System) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/432), reg. 6(2)(3)(g)

C35 Ss. 37-41 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (6.4.2010) by The Train Driving Licences and Certificates Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/724), regs. 1(2), 38(2)(3)(g)

C36 S. 38 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (4.7.2010 for certain purposes and otherwise 4.7.2013) by The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1554), regs. 1, 18, 37(1), {Sch. 4 paras. 1, 2}

C37 Ss. 1-59 applied by S.I. 2001/2127 art. 8A 8B (as inserted (E.W.S.) (6.4.2011) by The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (Application outside Great Britain) (Variation) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/745), arts. 1(1), 3(2))

C38 Ss. 37-41 applied (with modifications) (16.1.2012) by The Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/3066), regs. 1(2), 39(2)(3)(g) (with reg. 3)

C39 Ss. 33-42 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.9.2013) by The Biocidal Products and Chemicals (Appointment of Authorities and Enforcement) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/1506), regs. 2(1), 8(1) (with reg. 3(4), (5), 8(2)-(7), 31, 32, 33(1))

C40 Ss. 33-42 applied (1.3.2014) by The Biocidal Products and Chemicals (Appointment of Authorities and Enforcement) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/1506), regs. 2(4), 19 (with reg. 3(4)(5)313233(1))

C41 S. 38 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.10.2014) by The Explosives Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/1638), reg. 1(1), Sch. 12 paras. 2, 3

C42 Ss. 33-42 applied (1.10.2014) by The Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/1663), regs. 1, 30(2)(a) (with reg. 3(1)(2))

C43 Ss. 33-42 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.6.2015) by The Biocidal Products and Chemicals (Appointment of Authorities and Enforcement) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/1506), regs. 2(2), 17(1) (with reg. 3(4)(5)313233(1))

C44 Ss. 33-42 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.6.2015) by The Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/483), regs. 1(1), 27(1)(d) (with regs. 3(2), 27(3))

C45 Ss. 33-42 applied (19.7.2015) by The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/398), regs. 1, 36(8)(d) (with reg. 4(2), Sch. 14)

C46 Ss. 33-42 applied (19.7.2015) by The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/398), regs. 1, 36(1)(d) (with reg. 4(2), Sch. 14)

C47 S. 38 applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2014/1638, Sch. 12 paras. 5-7 (as substituted (E.W.S.) (20.4.2016) by The Explosives Regulations 2014 (Amendment) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/315), reg. 1, Sch. 1 (with regs. 2(1), 15))

C48 Ss. 34-42 applied (with modifications) (30.7.2018) by The Cableway Installations Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/816), regs. 1, 21(1)-(3) (with reg. 4)