Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

1974 CHAPTER 37

An Act to make further provision for securing the health, safety and welfare of persons at work, for protecting others against risks to health or safety in connection with the activities of persons at work, for controlling the keeping and use and preventing the unlawful acquisition, possession and use of dangerous substances, and for controlling certain emissions into the atmosphere; to make further provision with respect to the employment medical advisory service; to amend the law relating to building regulations, and the Building (Scotland) Act 1959; and for connected purposes.

[31st July 1974]

Extent Information

E1 For the application of this Act to Northern Ireland see s. 84(1); Pt. III of this Act (except s. 75 and Sch. 7) does not extend to Scotland see s. 84(2).

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Act applied (15.12.1999) by 1996 c. 18, Pt. VIII, s. 72(4) (as substituted (15.12.1999) by 1999 c. 26, ss. 7, 8, 9, Sch. 4 Pt. I; S.I. 1999/2830, art. 2(2))

Act extended (11.10.1999) by S.I. 1999/2550, reg. 3

C2 Act applied by S.I. 1988/778, reg. 11(1)

C3 Act applied by S.I. 1990/13, reg. 11(5)

Act applied in part (1.9.1993) by S.I. 1993/1746, reg. 18(1)(a).

Act extended (1.1.1994) by S.I. 1993/2379, reg. 9(a).

Act extended (1.12.1993) by S.I. 1993/2714, reg. 9(4)(a).

Act applied (31.1.1994) by S.I. 1993/3050, art. 21(1)(a) (with art. 3).

Act applied (with modifications) (29.7.1994) by S.I. 1994/1806, regs. 3(1), 12

Act applied in part (15.3.1995) by S.I. 1995/263, arts. 3-8, 10

Act applied (with modifications) (18.7.1995) by S.I. 1995/1629, art. 30(3)(b)(5)

C4 Act: specified provisions applied (with modifications) (29.11.1992) by S.I. 1992/2415, reg. 4(1)

C5 Act: specified provisions applied (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/2997, reg.6

C6 Act: specified provisions applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/3060, reg. 15(1)

C7 Act: specified provisions applied (E.W.S.) (1.2.1993) by S.I. 1992/3217, reg. 21(1)

C8 Act excluded (E.W.) (1.10.2006) by The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1541), arts. 1(3), 47 (with art. 49) (as amended by The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Subordinate Provisions Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/484), arts. 1(1), 2)

C9 Act modified (30.5.2007) by The National Assembly for Wales Commission (Crown Status) (No. 2) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1353), art. 2

C10 Act modified (E.W.S.) (26.3.2015) by The Ship Recycling Facilities Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/430), regs. 1(1), 5 (as amended (31.12.2020) by The Ship Recycling (Facilities and Requirements for Hazardous Materials on Ships) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/277), regs. 1, 3(4); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1))

C11 Act applied (E.W.S.) (19.7.2015) by The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/398), reg. 36(8) (with reg. 4(2), Sch. 14)

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

E2 For the application of Pt. I to Northern Ireland see s. 84(1).

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C12 Pt. 1 (ss. 1–54) extended by S.I. 1981/1011, reg. 9; and by S.I. 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

C13 Pt. 1 (ss. 1–54) extended by Gas Act 1986 (c. 44, SIF 44:2), ss. 18, 48(3)(4)

C14 Pt. 1 (ss. 1–54) applied by Gas Act 1986 (c. 44, SIF 44:2), s. 67(3), Sch. 8 para. 6(2)

C15 Pt. 1 (ss. 1–54) amended by Consumer Protection Act 1987 (c. 43, SIF 109:1), s. 36

C16 Pt. 1 (ss. 1–54) amended by S.I. 1988/1222, regs. 3, 4

C17 Pt. 1 (ss. 1–54) extended by S.I. 1989/1671, reg. 4

C18 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).

C19 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)

C20 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

C21 Pt. 1 (ss. 1-54) extended (E.W.S.) (6.3.1992) by Offshore Safety Act 1992 (c. 15), S. 1(1)

C22 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

C23 Pt. 1 (ss. 1-54) extended (E.W.S.) (1.2.1993) by S.I. 1992/3217, reg. 4

C24 Pt. 1 (ss. 1-54) modified (E.W.S.) (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/2051, reg. 16(2)

C25 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

C26 Pt. 1 (ss. 1-54) applied (with modifications) (14.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/860, reg. 2

C27 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

C28 Pt. 1 restricted (S.) (1.10.2006) by 2005 asp 5, ss. 70, 90; S.I. 2006/458, art. 2 (subject to art. 3)

C29 Pt. 1 modified (prosp.) by Energy Act 2008 (c. 32), ss. 99(1), 110

C30 Pt. 1: power to repeal or modify conferred (prosp.) by Energy Act 2008 (c. 32), ss. 99(1)(2), 110

C31 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)

C32 Pt. 1 applied (E.W.S.) (6.2.2018) by The Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/1322), regs. 1, 18

Preliminary U.K.

1 Preliminary. U.K.

(1) The provisions of this Part shall have effect with a view to—

(a) securing the health, safety and welfare of persons at work;

(b) protecting persons other than persons at work against risks to health or safety arising out of or in connection with the activities of persons at work;

(c) controlling the keeping and use of explosive or highly flammable or otherwise dangerous substances, and generally preventing the unlawful acquisition, possession and use of such substances; [F1 [F2 and]]

[F1 [F2 (d) controlling the emission into the atmosphere of noxious or offensive substances from premises of any class prescribed for the purposes of this paragraph.]]

(2) The provisions of this Part relating to the making of health and safety regulations F3 . . . and the preparation and approval of codes of practice shall in particular have effect with a view to enabling the enactments specified in the third column of Schedule 1 and the regulations, orders and other instruments in force under those enactments to be progressively replaced by a system of regulations and approved codes of practice operating in combination with the other provisions of this Part and designed to maintain or improve the standards of health, safety and welfare established by or under those enactments.

(3) For the purposes of this Part risks arising out of or in connection with the activities of persons at work shall be treated as including risks attributable to the manner of conducting an undertaking, the plant or substances used for the purposes of an undertaking and the condition of premises so used or any part of them.

(4) References in this Part to the general purposes of this Part are references to the purposes mentioned in subsection (1) above.

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 1(1)(d) and preceding word repealed (16.12.1996 for E.W and otherwise prosp.) by 1990 c. 43, s. 162(2), 164(3), Sch. 16 Pt. I; S.I. 1996/3056, art. 2

F2 S. 1(1)(d) and preceding word repealed (S.) (26.2.2015) by The Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (Consequential Modifications) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/374), arts. 1(1), 2(2)

F3 Words repealed by Employment Protection Act 1975 (c. 71), Sch. 18

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C33 Ss. 1–25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 33, 34–59, 80, 81 and 82 applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2–10

C34 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))

C35 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))

C36 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))

C37 S. 1(1)(c) extended (E.W.S.) (8.8.1996) by S.I. 1996/2075, reg. 2(1) (which amending provision was revoked (11.3.2002) by S.I. 2002/282, art. 4)

S. 1(1)(c) modified (E.W.S.) (11.3.2002) by S.I. 2002/282, art. 3

C38 S. 1(2) modified by Gas Act 1986 (c. 44, SIF 44:2), s. 67(3), Sch. 8 Pt. I para. 6(3)

C39 S. 1(3) applied by Companies Act 1985 (c. 6, SIF 27), s. 235(5), Sch. 7 Pt. IV para. 10(4)

C40 S. 1(3) applied (1.4.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), ss. 69(3), 156(1) (with ss. 107, 111); S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

General duties U.K.

2 General duties of employers to their employees. U.K.

(1) It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of an employer’s duty under the preceding subsection, the matters to which that duty extends include in particular—

(a) the provision and maintenance of plant and systems of work that are, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe and without risks to health;

(b) arrangements for ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, safety and absence of risks to health in connection with the use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances;

(c) the provision of such information, instruction, training and supervision as is necessary to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety at work of his employees;

(d) so far as is reasonably practicable as regards any place of work under the employer’s control, the maintenance of it in a condition that is safe and without risks to health and the provision and maintenance of means of access to and egress from it that are safe and without such risks;

(e) the provision and maintenance of a working environment for his employees that is, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe, without risks to health, and adequate as regards facilities and arrangements for their welfare at work.

(3) Except in such cases as may be prescribed, it shall be the duty of every employer to prepare and as often as may be appropriate revise a written statement of his general policy with respect to the health and safety at work of his employees and the organisation and arrangements for the time being in force for carrying out that policy, and to bring the statement and any revision of it to the notice of all of his employees.

(4) Regulations made by the Secretary of State may provide for the appointment in prescribed cases by recognised trade unions (within the meaning of the regulations) of safety representatives from amongst the employees, and those representatives shall represent the employees in consultations with the employers under subsection (6) below and shall have such other functions as may be prescribed.

F4 (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6) It shall be the duty of every employer to consult any such representatives with a view to the making and maintenance of arrangements which will enable him and his employees to co-operate effectively in promoting and developing measures to ensure the health and safety at work of the employees, and in checking the effectiveness of such measures.

(7) In such cases as may be prescribed it shall be the duty of every employer, if requested to do so by the safety representatives mentioned in [F5 subsection (4)] above, to establish, in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State, a safety committee having the function of keeping under review the measures taken to ensure the health and safety at work of his employees and such other functions as may be prescribed.

Textual Amendments

F4 Ss. 2(5), 29, 31, 32, 50(4)(5), 53(2)–(6) repealed by Employment Protection Act 1975 (c. 71), Sch. 18

F5 Words substituted by Employment Protection Act 1975 (c. 71), Sch. 15 para. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C36 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))

C41 Ss. 1–25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 33, 34–59, 80, 81 and 82 applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2–10

C42 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))

C43 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))

C44 S. 2(1)(2)(3) modified (15.11.2000) by S.I. 2000/2831, reg. 5(1)

C45 S. 2(1) modified (E.W.S.) (1.10.2014) by The Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/1663), regs. 1, 4(2) (with reg. 3(1)(2))

C46 S. 2(2) modified (E.W.S.) (1.10.2014) by The Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/1663), regs. 1, 4(2) (with reg. 3(1)(2))

C47 S. 2(3) modified (1.10.1993) by S.I. 1993/1897, art. 4(4).

C48 S. 2(3) modified (E.W.S.) (1.10.2014) by The Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/1663), regs. 1, 4(2) (with reg. 3(1)(2))

C49 S. 2(4) modified by S.I. 1977/500, reg. 8(1)

3 F6 General duties of employers and self-employed to persons other than their employees. U.K.

(1) It shall be the duty of every employer to conduct his undertaking in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons not in his employment who may be affected thereby are not thereby exposed to risks to their health or safety.

(2) It shall be the duty of every self-employed person [F7 who conducts an undertaking of a prescribed description] to conduct [F8 the undertaking]in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that he and other persons (not being his employees) who may be affected thereby are not thereby exposed to risks to their health or safety.

[F9 (2A) A description of undertaking included in regulations under subsection (2) may be framed by reference to—

(a) the type of activities carried out by the undertaking, where those activities are carried out or any other feature of the undertaking;

(b) whether persons who may be affected by the conduct of the undertaking, other than the self-employed person (or his employees), may thereby be exposed to risks to their health or safety.]

(3) In such cases as may be prescribed, it shall be the duty of every employer and every self-employed person, in the prescribed circumstances and in the prescribed manner, to give to persons (not being his employees) who may be affected by the way in which he conducts his undertaking the prescribed information about such aspects of the way in which he conducts his undertaking as might affect their health or safety.

Textual Amendments

F6 S. 3(2) amendment to earlier affecting provision S.I. 2002/2677, reg. 20 (1.10.2015) by The Deregulation Act 2015 (Health and Safety at Work) (General Duties of Self-Employed Persons) (Consequential Amendments) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/1637), art. 1, Sch. para. 7(3)

F7 Words in s. 3(2) inserted (26.3.2015 for specified purposes, 1.10.2015 in so far as not already in force) by Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), ss. 1(2)(a), 115(2)(a) (with s. 1(6)); S.I. 2015/1732, art. 2(a)

F8 Words in s. 3(2) substituted (26.3.2015 for specified purposes, 1.10.2015 in so far as not already in force) by Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), ss. 1(2)(b), 115(2)(a) (with s. 1(6)); S.I. 2015/1732, art. 2(a)

F9 S. 3(2A) inserted (26.3.2015 for specified purposes, 1.10.2015 in so far as not already in force) by Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), ss. 1(3), 115(2)(a) (with s. 1(6)); S.I. 2015/1732, art. 2(a)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C36 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))

C50 Ss. 1–25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 33, 34–59, 80, 81 and 82 applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2–10

C51 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))

C52 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))

C53 S. 3(2) modified by S.I. 1978/752, reg. 4

S. 3(2) modified (16.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3246, reg. 20

C54 S. 3(2) modified by S.I. 1981/1011, reg. 10

C55 S. 3(2) modified by S.I. 1989/1810, reg. 4 (which S.I. was revoked (1.2.1993) by S.I. 1992/3217, reg. 25).

C56 S. 3(2) modified (E.W.S.) (1.2.1993) by S.I. 1992/3217, reg. 5

S. 3(2) modified (25.3.1999) by S.I. 1999/437, reg. 20

S. 3(2) modified (15.11.2000) by S.I. 2000/2831, reg. 5(2)

S. 3(2) modified (21.11.2002) by S.I. 2002/2677, reg. 20

C57 S. 3(2) modified (E.W.S.) (1.10.2014) by The Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/1663), regs. 1, 4(3) (with reg. 3(1)(2))

4 General duties of persons concerned with premises to persons other than their employees. U.K.

(1) This section has effect for imposing on persons duties in relation to those who—

(a) are not their employees; but

(b) use non-domestic premises made available to them as a place of work or as a place where they may use plant or substances provided for their use there,

and applies to premises so made available and other non-domestic premises used in connection with them.

(2) It shall be the duty of each person who has, to any extent, control of premises to which this section applies or of the means of access thereto or egress therefrom or of any plant or substance in such premises to take such measures as it is reasonable for a person in his position to take to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the premises, all means of access thereto or egress therefrom available for use by persons using the premises, and any plant or substance in the premises or, as the case may be, provided for use there, is or are safe and without risks to health.

(3) Where a person has, by virtue of any contract or tenancy, an obligation of any extent in relation to—

(a) the maintenance or repair of any premises to which this section applies or any means of access thereto or egress therefrom; or

(b) the safety of or the absence of risks to health arising from plant or substances in any such premises;

that person shall be treated, for the purposes of subsection (2) above, as being a person who has control of the matters to which his obligation extends.

(4) Any reference in this section to a person having control of any premises or matter is a reference to a person having control of the premises or matter in connection with the carrying on by him of a trade, business or other undertaking (whether for profit or not).

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C36 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))

C58 Ss. 1–25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 33, 34–59, 80, 81 and 82 applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2–10

C59 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))

C60 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))

[F10 5 General duty of persons in control of certain premises in relation to harmful emissions into atmosphere. U.K.

[F11 (1) [F12 Subject to subsection (5) below,]] It shall be the duty of the person having control of any premises of a class prescribed for the purposes of section 1(1)(d) to use the best practicable means for preventing the emission into the atmosphere from the premises of noxious or offensive substances and for rendering harmless and inoffensive such substances as may be so emitted.

(2) The reference in subsection (1) above to the means to be used for the purposes there mentioned includes a reference to the manner in which the plant provided for those purposes is used and to the supervision of any operation involving the emission of the substances to which that subsection applies.

(3) Any substance or a substance of any description prescribed for the purposes of subsection (1) above as noxious or offensive shall be a noxious or, as the case may be, an offensive substance for those purposes whether or not it would be so apart from this subsection.

(4) Any reference in this section to a person having control of any premises is a reference to a person having control of the premises in connection with the carrying on by him of a trade, business or other undertaking (whether for profit or not) and any duty imposed on any such person by this section shall extend only to matters within his control.

[F13 (5) The foregoing provisions of this section shall not apply in relation to any process which is a prescribed process as from the date which is the determination date for that process.

(6) For the purposes of subsection (5) above, the “determination date” for a prescribed process is—

(a) in the case of a process for which an authorisation is granted, the date on which the enforcing authority grants it, whether in pursuance of the application or, on an appeal, of a direction to grant it;

(b) in the case of a process for which an authorisation is refused, the date of the refusal or, on an appeal, of the affirmation of the refusal.

(7) In subsections (5) and (6) above “authorisation”, “enforcing authority” and “prescribed process” have the meaning given in section 1 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the reference to an appeal is a reference to an appeal under section 15 of that Act.]]

Textual Amendments

F10 S. 5 repealed (16.12.1996 for E.W. and otherwise prosp.) by Environmental Protection Act 1990 (c. 43, SIF 46:4), ss. 162(2), 164(3), Sch. 16 Pt. I; S.I. 1996/3056, art. 2

F11 S. 5 repealed (S.) (26.2.2015) by The Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (Consequential Modifications) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/374), arts. 1(1), 2(3)

F12 Words in s. 5 inserted (1.4.1991) by Environmental Protection Act 1990 (c. 43, SIF 46:4), s. 162(1), Sch. 15 para. 14(a); S.I. 1991/1042, art.2

F13 S. 5(5)–(7) inserted (1.4.1991) by Environmental Protection Act 1990 (c. 43, SIF 46:4), s. 162(1), Sch. 15 para. 14(b); S.I. 1991/1042, art.2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C36 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))

C61 Ss. 1–25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 33, 34–59, 80, 81 and 82 applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2–10

C62 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))

C63 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))

6 General duties of manufacturers etc. as regards articles and substances for use at work. U.K.

[F14 (1) It shall be the duty of any person who designs, manufactures, imports or supplies any article for use at work or any article of fairground equipment—

(a) to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the article is so designed and constructed that it will be safe and without risks to health at all times when it is being set, used, cleaned or maintained by a person at work;

(b) to carry out or arrange for the carrying out of such testing and examination as may be necessary for the performance of the duty imposed on him by the preceding paragraph;

(c) to take such steps as are necessary to secure that persons supplied by that person with the article are provided with adequate information about the use for which the article is designed or has been tested and about any conditions necessary to ensure that it will be safe and without risks to health at all such times as are mentioned in paragraph (a) above and when it is being dismantled or disposed of; and

(d) to take such steps as are necessary to secure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons so supplied are provided with all such revisions of information provided to them by virtue of the preceding paragraph as are necessary by reason of its becoming known that anything gives rise to a serious risk to health or safety.

(1A) It shall be the duty of any person who designs, manufactures, imports or supplies any article of fairground equipment—

(a) to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the article is so designed and constructed that it will be safe and without risks to health at all times when it is being used for or in connection with the entertainment of members of the public;

(b) to carry out or arrange for the carrying out of such testing and examination as may be necessary for the performance of the duty imposed on him by the preceding paragraph;

(c) to take such steps as are necessary to secure that persons supplied by that person with the article are provided with adequate information about the use for which the article is designed or has been tested and about any conditions necessary to ensure that it will be safe and without risks to health at all times when it is being used for or in connection with the entertainment of members of the public; and

(d) to take such steps as are necessary to secure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons so supplied are provided with all such revisions of information provided to them by virtue of the preceding paragraph as are necessary by reason of its becoming known that anything gives rise to a serious risk to health or safety.]

(2) It shall be the duty of any person who undertakes the design or manufacture of any article for use at work [F15 or of any article of fairground equipment] to carry out or arrange for the carrying out of any necessary research with a view to the discovery and, so far as is reasonably practicable, the elimination or minimisation of any risks to health or safety to which the design or article may give rise.

(3) It shall be the duty of any person who erects or installs any article for use at work in any premises where that article is to be used by persons at work [F16 or who erects or installs any article of fairground equipment] to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that nothing about the way in which [F17 the article is erected or installed makes it unsafe or a risk to health at any such time as is mentioned in paragraph (a) of subsection (1) or, as the case may be, in paragraph (a) of subsection (1) or (1A) above.]

[F18 (4) It shall be the duty of any person who manufactures, imports or supplies any substance—

(a) to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the substance will be safe and without risks to health at all times when it is being used, handled, processed, stored or transported by a person at work or in premises to which section 4 above applies;

(b) to carry out or arrange for the carrying out of such testing and examination as may be necessary for the performance of the duty imposed on him by the preceding paragraph

(c) to take such steps as are necessary to secure that persons supplied by that person with the substance are provided with adequate information about any risks to health or safety to which the inherent properties of the substance may give rise, about the results of any relevant tests which have been carried out on or in connection with the substance and about any conditions necessary to ensure that the substance will be safe and without risks to health at all such times as are mentioned in paragraph (a) above and when the substance is being disposed of; and

(d) to take such steps as are necessary to secure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons so supplied are provided with all such revisions of information provided to them by virtue of the preceding paragraph as are necessary by reason of its becoming known that anything gives rise to a serious risk to health or safety.]

(5) It shall be the duty of any person who undertakes the manufacture of any [F19 substance] to carry out or arrange for the carrying out of any necessary research with a view to the discovery and, so far as is reasonably practicable, the elimination or minimisation of any risks to health or safety to which the substance may give rise [F19 at all such times as are mentioned in paragraph (a) of subsection (4) above].

(6) Nothing in the preceding provisions of this section shall be taken to require a person to repeat any testing, examination or research which has been carried out otherwise than by him or at his instance, in so far as it is reasonable for him to rely on the results thereof for the purposes of those provisions.

(7) Any duty imposed on any person by any of the preceding provisions of this section shall extend only to things done in the course of a trade, business or other undertaking carried on by him (whether for profit or not) and to matters within his control.

(8) Where a person designs, manufactures, imports or supplies an article [F20 for use at work or an article of fairground equipment and does so for or to another] on the basis of a written undertaking by that other to take specified steps sufficient to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the article will be safe and without risks to health [F21 at all such times as are mentioned in paragraph (a) of subsection (1) or, as the case may be, in paragraph (a) of subsection (1) or (1A) above], the undertaking shall have the effect of relieving the first-mentioned person from the duty imposed [F22 by virtue of that paragraph] to such extent as is reasonable having regard to the terms of the undertaking.

[F23 (8A) Nothing in subsection (7) or (8) above shall relieve any person who imports any article or substance from any duty in respect of anything which—

(a) in the case of an article designed outside the United Kingdom, was done by and in the course of any trade, profession or other undertaking carried on by, or was within the control of, the person who designed the article; or

(b) in the case of an article or substance manufactured outside the United Kingdom, was done by and in the course of any trade, profession or other undertaking carried on by, or was within the control of, the person who manufactured the article or substance.]

(9) Where a person (“the ostensible supplier”) supplies any [F24 article or substance] to another (“the customer”) under a hire-purchase agreement, conditional sale agreement or credit-sale agreement, and the ostensible supplier—

(a) carries on the business of financing the acquisition of goods by others by means of such agreements; and

(b) in the course of that business acquired his interest in the article or substance supplied to the customer as a means of financing its acquisition by the customer from a third person (“the effective supplier”),

the effective supplier and not the ostensible supplier shall be treated for the purposes of this section as supplying the article or substance to the customer, and any duty imposed by the preceding provisions of this section on suppliers shall accordingly fall on the effective supplier and not on the ostensible supplier.

[F25 (10) For the purposes of this section an absence of safety or a risk to health shall be disregarded in so far as the case in or in relation to which it would arise is shown to be one the occurrence of which could not reasonably be foreseen; and in determining whether any duty imposed by virtue of paragraph (a) of subsection (1), (1A) or (4) above has been performed regard shall be had to any relevant information or advice which has been provided to any person by the person by whom the article has been designed, manufactured, imported or supplied or, as the case may be, by the person by whom the substance has been manufactured, imported or supplied.]

Textual Amendments

F14 S. 6(1)(1A) substituted for s. 6(1) by Consumer Protection Act 1987 (c. 43, SIF 109:1), s. 36, Sch. 3 para. 1(2)

F15 Words inserted by Consumer Protection Act 1987 (c. 43, SIF 109:1), s. 36, Sch. 3 para. 1(4)

F16 Words inserted by Consumer Protection Act 1987 (c. 43, SIF 109:1), s. 36, Sch. 3 para. 1(4)(a)

F17 Words substituted by Consumer Protection Act 1987 (c. 43, SIF 109:1), s. 36, Sch. 3 para. 1(4)(b)

F18 S. 6(4) substituted by Consumer Protection Act 1987 (c. 43, SIF 109:1), s. 36, Sch. 3 para. 1(5)

F19 Word substituted and words beginning “at all such times...” inserted by Consumer Protection Act 1987 (c. 43, SIF 109:1), s. 36, Sch. 3 para. 1(6)(a)(b)

F20 Words substituted by Consumer Protection Act 1987 (c. 43, SIF 109:1), s. 36, Sch. 3 para. 1(7)(a)

F21 Words substituted by Consumer Protection Act 1987 (c. 43, SIF 109:1), s. 36, Sch. 3 para. 1(7)(b)

F22 Words substituted by Consumer Protection Act 1987 (c. 43, SIF 109:1), s. 36, Sch. 3 para. 1(7)(c)

F23 S. 6(8A) inserted by Consumer Protection Act 1987 (c. 43, SIF 109:1), s. 36, Sch. 3 para. 1(8)

F24 Words substituted by Consumer Protection Act 1987 (c. 43, SIF 109:1), s. 36, Sch. 3 para. 1(9)

F25 S. 6(10) substituted by Consumer Protection Act 1987 (c. 43, SIF 109:1), s. 36, Sch. 3 para. 1(10)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C36 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))

C64 S. 6 modified by S.I. 1980/907, reg. 3

C65 Ss. 1–25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 33, 34–59, 80, 81 and 82 applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2–10

C66 S. 6 modified by S.I. 1989/1790, reg. 12

C67 S. 6 modified (3.8.1992) by S.I. 1992/1524, reg. 3

C68 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))

C69 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))

C70 S. 6(1) modified ibid., reg. 4

C71 S. 6(1)(1A) modified (3.8.1992) by S.I. 1992/1524, reg. 4

C72 S. 6(1) modified (1.1.2000) by S.I. 1999/3232, reg. 31(1)

C73 S. 6(1) modified (1.1.2018) by The Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/1075), regs. 1(2), 32(1) (with regs. 2(5), 3, Sch. 8)

C74 S. 6(9) applied by S.I. 1989/2169, reg. 3(4), Sch. 3 para. 3

S. 6(9) applied (21.2.2000) by S.I. 2000/128, reg. 3, Sch. 2

7 General duties of employees at work. U.K.

It shall be the duty of every employee while at work—

(a) to take reasonable care for the health and safety of himself and of other persons who may be affected by his acts or omissions at work; and

(b) as regards any duty or requirement imposed on his employer or any other person by or under any of the relevant statutory provisions, to co-operate with him so far as is necessary to enable that duty or requirement to be performed or complied with.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C36 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))

C75 Ss. 1–25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 33, 34–59, 80, 81 and 82 applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2–10

C76 S. 7 modified (15.11.2000) by S.I. 2000/2831, reg. 5(1)

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))

C77 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))

C78 S. 7 modified (E.W.S.) (1.10.2014) by The Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/1663), regs. 1, 4(2) (with reg. 3(1)(2))

8 Duty not to interfere with or misuse things provided pursuant to certain provisions. U.K.

No person shall intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety or welfare in pursuance of any of the relevant statutory provisions.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C36 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))

C79 Ss. 1–25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 33, 34–59, 80, 81 and 82 applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2–10

C80 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))

C81 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))

9 Duty not to charge employees for things done or provided pursuant to certain specific requirements. U.K.

No employer shall levy or permit to be levied on any employee of his any charge in respect of anything done or provided in pursuance of any specific requirement of the relevant statutory provisions.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C36 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))

C82 Ss. 1–25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 33, 34–59, 80, 81 and 82 applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2–10

C83 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))

C84 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))

C85 S. 9 modified (6.4.2022) by S.I. 1992/2966, reg. 3A (as inserted by The Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/8), regs. 1, 5)

The Health and Safety Commission and the Health and Safety Executive U.K.

[F26 10 Establishment of the Executive. U.K.

(1) There shall be a body corporate to be known as the Health and Safety Executive (in this Act referred to as “ the Executive ”).

(2) The provisions of Schedule 2 shall have effect with respect to the Executive.

(3) The functions of the Executive and of its officers and servants shall be performed on behalf of the Crown.

(4) For the purpose of any civil proceedings arising out of those functions—

(a) in England and Wales and Northern Ireland, the Crown Proceedings Act 1947 shall apply to the Executive as if it were a government department within the meaning of that Act, and

(b) in Scotland, the Crown Suits (Scotland) Act 1857 shall apply to the Executive as if it were a public department within the meaning of that Act.]

Textual Amendments

F26 S. 10 substituted (1.4.2008) by The Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/960), art. 4 (with art. 21, Sch. 2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C36 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))

C86 Ss. 1–25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 33, 34–59, 80, 81 and 82 applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2–10

C87 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))

C88 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))

C89 S. 10(1) applied (with modifications) (17.8.2015) by The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1553), reg. 1, Sch. 8 paras. 1(a), 2

C90 S. 10(1) applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Lifts Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1093), reg. 1, Sch. 8 paras. 1(a), 2 (with regs. 3-5)

[F27 11 Functions of the Executive. U.K.

(1) It shall be the general duty of the Executive to do such things and make such arrangements as it considers appropriate for the general purposes of this Part.

(2) In connection with the general purposes of this Part, the Executive shall—

(a) assist and encourage persons concerned with matters relevant to those purposes to further those purposes;

(b) make such arrangements as it considers appropriate for the carrying out of research and the publication of the results of research and the provision of training and information, and encourage research and the provision of training and information by others;

(c) make such arrangements as it considers appropriate to secure that the following persons are provided with an information and advisory service on matters relevant to those purposes and are kept informed of and are adequately advised on such matters—

(i) government departments,

(ii) local authorities,

(iii) employers,

(iv) employees,

(v) organisations representing employers or employees, and

(vi) other persons concerned with matters relevant to the general purposes of this Part.

(3) The Executive shall submit from time to time to the Secretary of State such proposals as the Executive considers appropriate for the making of regulations under any of the relevant statutory provisions.

(4) In subsections (1) to (3)—

(a) references to the general purposes of this Part do not include references to [F28 any of the transferred purposes]; and

(b) the reference to the making of regulations under the relevant statutory provisions does not include a reference so far as the regulations are made [F29 —

(i) for any of the transferred purposes, or

(ii) under section 43 and concern fees relating to nuclear site regulation.]

[F30 (4A) In subsection (4)—

(a) “ the transferred purposes ” means—

(i) the railway safety purposes;

(ii) the nuclear safety purposes;

(iii) the nuclear security purposes;

(iv) the nuclear safeguards purposes;

(v) the radioactive material transport purposes;

(b) “ fees relating to nuclear site regulation ” means fees payable for or in connection with the performance of a function by or on behalf of—

(i) the Office for Nuclear Regulation, or

(ii) any inspector appointed by the Office for Nuclear Regulation.

[F31 (4AA) Subsection (4)(b)(i) does not apply in relation to the making of regulations under section 3(2) for the railway safety purposes (and, accordingly, the Executive shall submit under subsection (3) such proposals as the Executive considers appropriate for the making of regulations under section 3(2) for those purposes).]

(4B) The Executive may submit to the Secretary of State any proposal submitted to it by the Office for Nuclear Regulation under section 81 of the Energy Act 2013 (proposals about orders and regulations).]

(5) It shall be the duty of the Executive—

(a) to submit to the Secretary of State from time to time particulars of what it proposes to do for the purpose of performing of its functions [F32 other than its building functions];

(b) to ensure that its activities [F33 other than its building functions] are in accordance with proposals approved by the Secretary of State; and

(c) to give effect to any directions given to it by the Secretary of State.

(6) The Executive shall provide a Minister of the Crown on request—

(a) with information about its activities in connection with any matter with which the Minister is concerned; and

(b) with advice on any matter with which he is concerned, where relevant expert advice is obtainable from any of the officers or servants of the Executive, but which is not relevant to the general purposes of this Part [F34 or to its building functions.]]

Textual Amendments

F27 Ss. 11-13 substituted (1.4.2008) by The Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/960), art. 5 (with art. 21, Sch. 2)

F28 Words in s. 11(4)(a) substituted (1.4.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), s. 156(1), Sch. 12 para. 2(2)(a); S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

F29 Words in s. 11(4)(b) substituted (1.4.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), s. 156(1), Sch. 12 para. 2(2)(b); S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

F30 S. 11(4A)(4B) inserted (1.4.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), s. 156(1), Sch. 12 para. 2(3); S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

F31 S. 11(4AA) inserted (26.3.2015 for specified purposes, 1.10.2015 in so far as not already in force) by Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), ss. 1(4), 115(2)(a) (with s. 1(6)); S.I. 2015/1732, art. 2(a)

F32 Words in s. 11(5)(a) inserted (E.W.S.) (28.6.2022) by Building Safety Act 2022 (c. 30), s. 170(5), Sch. 1 para. 2(2)(a); S.I. 2022/561, reg. 3(a)

F33 Words in s. 11(5)(b) inserted (E.W.S.) (28.6.2022) by Building Safety Act 2022 (c. 30), s. 170(5), Sch. 1 para. 2(2)(b); S.I. 2022/561, reg. 3(a)

F34 Words in s. 11(6)(b) inserted (E.W.S.) (28.6.2022) by Building Safety Act 2022 (c. 30), s. 170(5), Sch. 1 para. 2(3); S.I. 2022/561, reg. 3(a)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C36 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))

C91 Ss. 1–25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 33, 34–59, 80, 81 and 82 applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2–10

C92 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))

C93 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))

[F35 11A Powers of the Executive: buildings in England E+W+S

(1) The Executive may do such things and make such arrangements as it considers appropriate in connection with any of its building functions.

(2) In particular, it may—

(a) assist and encourage persons concerned with matters relevant to those functions;

(b) make arrangements for—

(i) the carrying out of research and the publication of the results of research;

(ii) the provision of training and information;

(c) encourage research and the provision of training and information by others;

(d) make arrangements for the provision of a service providing information or advice on such matters, and to such persons, as it considers appropriate;

(e) institute criminal proceedings.

(3) And it may—

(a) appoint persons or committees of persons to provide it with advice, or to do such other things as it considers appropriate, in connection with any of its building functions, and

(b) remunerate those persons.

Nothing in paragraph (b) limits section 13(8).

(4) Any amounts paid under subsection (3)(b) are to be such as may be determined by the Secretary of State.]

Textual Amendments

F35 S. 11A inserted (E.W.S.) (28.6.2022) by Building Safety Act 2022 (c. 30), s. 170(5), Sch. 1 para. 3; S.I. 2022/561, reg. 3(a)

[F36 12 Control of the Executive by the Secretary of State. U.K.

(1) The Secretary of State may approve any proposals submitted to him under section 11(5)(a) with or without modifications.

(2) The Secretary of State may at any time give to the Executive—

(a) such directions as he thinks fit with respect to its functions, or

(b) such directions as appear to him requisite or expedient to give in the interests of the safety of the State.

(3) The Secretary of State may not under subsection (2) give any directions with regard to the enforcement of the relevant statutory provisions [F37 , or the enforcement of the building enactments,] in any particular case.

(4) The reference to directions in subsection (2)(a)—

(a) includes directions modifying the Executive's functions, but

(b) does not include directions conferring functions on the Executive other than any functions of which it was deprived by previous directions given under subsection (2)(a).]

Textual Amendments

F36 Ss. 11-13 substituted (1.4.2008) by The Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/960), art. 5 (with art. 21, Sch. 2)

F37 Words in s. 12(3) inserted (E.W.S.) (28.6.2022) by Building Safety Act 2022 (c. 30), s. 170(5), Sch. 1 para. 4; S.I. 2022/561, reg. 3(a)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C36 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))

C94 Ss. 1–25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 33, 34–59, 80, 81 and 82 applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2–10

C95 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))

C96 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))

[F38 13 Powers of the Executive. U.K.

(1) Subject to subsection (2), the Executive shall have power to do anything which is calculated to facilitate, or is conducive or incidental to, the performance of its functions, including a function conferred on it under this subsection.

(2) The power in subsection (1) shall not include the power to borrow money.

(3) The Executive may make agreements with a government department or other person for that department or person to perform any of its functions [F39 on its behalf], with or without payment.

(4) Subject to subsections (5) and (6), the Executive may make agreements with a Minister of the Crown, with a government department or with a public authority to perform functions exercisable by that Minister, department or authority [F40 on behalf of the Minister, department or authority], with or without payment.

(5) The functions referred to in subsection (4)—

(a) in the case of a Minister of the Crown, include functions not conferred by an enactment;

(b) shall be functions which the Secretary of State considers can be appropriately performed by the Executive; and

(c) do not include any power to make regulations or other instruments of a legislative character.

(6) The Executive may provide services or facilities, with or without payment, otherwise than for the general purposes of this Part [F41 or in connection with its building functions], to a government department or public authority in connection with the exercise of that department's or authority's functions.

[F42 (6A) The reference in subsection (6) to the general purposes of this Part does not include a reference to any of the following—

(a) the nuclear safety purposes;

(b) the nuclear security purposes;

(c) the nuclear safeguards purposes;

(d) the radioactive material transport purposes.]

(7) The Executive may appoint persons or committees of persons to provide it with advice in connection with any of its functions [F43 except its building functions] and, without prejudice to subsection (8), it may remunerate these persons.

(8) The Executive may, in connection with the performance of its functions, pay to any person—

(a) travelling and subsistence allowances, and

(b) compensation for loss of remunerative time.

(9) Any amounts paid under subsections (7) and (8) shall be such as may be determined by the Secretary of State, with the approval of the Minister for the Civil Service.

(10) The Executive may—

(a) carry out, arrange for, or make payments for the carrying out of, research into any matter connected with its functions, and

(b) disseminate or arrange for or make payments for the dissemination of information derived from this research.

(11) The Executive may include, in any arrangements made for the provision of services or facilities under subsection (6), provision for the making of payments to the Executive, or any person acting on its behalf, by other parties to the arrangements and by persons using those services or facilities.]

Textual Amendments

F38 Ss. 11-13 substituted (1.4.2008) by The Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/960), art. 5 (with art. 21, Sch. 2)

F39 Words in s. 13(3) inserted (E.W.S.) (28.6.2022) by Building Safety Act 2022 (c. 30), s. 170(5), Sch. 1 para. 5(2); S.I. 2022/561, reg. 3(a)

F40 Words in s. 13(4) inserted (E.W.S.) (28.6.2022) by Building Safety Act 2022 (c. 30), s. 170(5), Sch. 1 para. 5(3); S.I. 2022/561, reg. 3(a)

F41 Words in s. 13(6) inserted (E.W.S.) (28.6.2022) by Building Safety Act 2022 (c. 30), s. 170(5), Sch. 1 para. 5(4); S.I. 2022/561, reg. 3(a)

F42 S. 13(6A) inserted (1.4.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), s. 156(1), Sch. 12 para. 3; S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

F43 Words in s. 13(7) inserted (E.W.S.) (28.6.2022) by Building Safety Act 2022 (c. 30), s. 170(5), Sch. 1 para. 5(5); S.I. 2022/561, reg. 3(a)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C36 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))

C97 Ss. 1–25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 33, 34–59, 80, 81 and 82 applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2–10

C98 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))

C99 S. 13(2) restricted (E.W.S.) (8.11.2006) by 2006 c. 49, s. 51(2) (with s. 61(9)(a))

C100 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))

14 Power of the Commission to direct investigations and inquiries. E+W+S

(1) This section applies to the following matters, that is to say any accident, occurrence, situation or other matter whatsoever which [F44 the Executive] thinks it necessary or expedient to investigate for any of the general purposes of this Part or with a view to the making of regulations for those purposes; and for the purposes of this subsection

[F45 (a) those general purposes shall be treated as not including the railway safety purposes [F46 or the ONR's purposes]; but

(b) it is otherwise ] immaterial whether the Executive is or is not responsible for securing the enforcement of such (if any) of the relevant statutory provisions as relate to the matter in question.

[F47 (2) The Executive may at any time—

(a) investigate and make a special report on any matter to which this section applies; or

(b) authorise another person to investigate and make a special report into any such matter.

(2A) The Executive may at any time, with the consent of the Secretary of State, direct an inquiry to be held into any matter to which this section applies.]

(3) Any inquiry held by virtue of [F48 subsection (2A)] above shall be held in accordance with regulations made for the purposes of this subsection by the Secretary of State, and shall be held in public except where or to the extent that the regulations provide otherwise.

(4) Regulations made for the purposes of subsection (3) above may in particular include provision—

(a) conferring on the person holding any such inquiry, and any person assisting him in the inquiry, powers of entry and inspection;

(b) conferring on any such person powers of summoning witnesses to give evidence or produce documents and power to take evidence on oath and administer oaths or require the making of declarations;

(c) requiring any such inquiry to be held otherwise than in public where or to the extent that a Minister of the Crown so directs.

[F49 (4A) Provision that may be made by virtue of subsection (4)(a) includes, in particular, provision conferring functions on the Office for Nuclear Regulation in relation to powers of entry and inspection in relation to any premises for which it is an enforcing authority.]

[F50 (5) In the case of a special report made by virtue of subsection (2), or a report made by the person holding an inquiry by virtue of subsection (2A), the Executive may cause the report, or so much of it as the Executive thinks fit, to be made public at such time and in such manner as it thinks fit.]

(6) [F51 The Executive]—

(a) in the case of an investigation and special report made by virtue of [F52 subsection (2)] above (otherwise than by an officer or servant of the Executive), may pay to the person making it such remuneration and expenses as the Secretary of State may, with the approval of the Minister for the Civil Service, determine;

(b) in the case of an inquiry held by virtue of [F53 subsection (2A)] above, may pay to the person holding it and to any assessor appointed to assist him such remuneration and expenses, and to persons attending the inquiry as witnesses such expenses, as the Secretary of State may, with the like approval, determine; and

(c) may, to such extent as the Secretary of State may determine, defray the other costs, if any, of any such investigation and special report or inquiry.

F54 F55 (7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Extent Information

E3 This version of this provision extends to England and Wales and Scotland only; a separate version has been created for Northern Ireland only

Textual Amendments

F44 Words in s. 14(1) substituted (1.4.2008) by The Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/960), art. 6(2) (with art. 21, Sch. 2)

F45 Words in s. 14(1) substituted (E.W.S.) (1.4.2006) by Railways Act 2005 (c. 14), ss. 2, 60, Sch. 3 para. 4(5) (with paras. 5, 6); S.I. 2006/266, art. 2

F46 Words in s. 14(1)(a) inserted (1.4.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), s. 156(1), Sch. 12 para. 4(2); S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

F47 S. 14(2)(2A) substituted (1.4.2008) for s. 14(2) by The Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/960), art. 6(3) (with art. 21, Sch. 2)

F48 Words in s. 14(3) substituted (1.4.2008) by The Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/960), art. 6(4) (with art. 21, Sch. 2)

F49 S. 14(4A) inserted (1.4.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), s. 156(1), Sch. 12 para. 4(3); S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

F50 S. 14(5) substituted (1.4.2008) by The Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/960), art. 6(5) (with art. 21, Sch. 2)

F51 Words in s. 14(6) substituted (1.4.2008) by The Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/960), art. 6(6)(a) (with art. 21, Sch. 2)

F52 Words in s. 14(6)(a) substituted (1.4.2008) by The Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/960), art. 6(6)(b) (with art. 21, Sch. 2)

F53 Words in s. 14(6)(b) substituted (1.4.2008) by The Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/960), art. 6(6)(c) (with art. 21, Sch. 2)

F54 S. 14(7) repealed (S.) (15.6.2017) by Inquiries into Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths etc. (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 2), s. 42(2), sch. 2 para. 2(2); S.S.I. 2017/155, reg. 2 (with regs. 4(2), 5)

F55 S. 14(7) repealed (E.W.N.I.) (15.6.2017) by The Inquiries into Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths etc. (Scotland) Act 2016 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/1142), art. 1(2), Sch. para. 3(2) (with art. 7(2)); S.S.I. 2017/155, reg. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C36 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))

C101 Ss. 1–25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 33, 34–59, 80, 81 and 82 applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2–10

C102 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))

C103 S. 14 continued (1.4.2008) by The Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/960), art. 21, Sch. 2 para. 6(2)

C104 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))

14 Power of the Commission to direct investigations and inquiries. N.I.

(1) This section applies to the following matters, that is to say any accident, occurrence, situation or other matter whatsoever which [F44 the Executive] thinks it necessary or expedient to investigate for any of the general purposes of this Part or with a view to the making of regulations for those purposes; and for the purposes of this subsection it is immaterial whether the Executive is or is not responsible for securing the enforcement of such (if any) of the relevant statutory provisions as relate to the matter in question.

[F47 (2) The Executive may at any time—

(a) investigate and make a special report on any matter to which this section applies; or

(b) authorise another person to investigate and make a special report into any such matter.

(2A) The Executive may at any time, with the consent of the Secretary of State, direct an inquiry to be held into any matter to which this section applies.]

(3) Any inquiry held by virtue of [F48 subsection (2A)] above shall be held in accordance with regulations made for the purposes of this subsection by the Secretary of State, and shall be held in public except where or to the extent that the regulations provide otherwise.

(4) Regulations made for the purposes of subsection (3) above may in particular include provision—

(a) conferring on the person holding any such inquiry, and any person assisting him in the inquiry, powers of entry and inspection;

(b) conferring on any such person powers of summoning witnesses to give evidence or produce documents and power to take evidence on oath and administer oaths or require the making of declarations;

(c) requiring any such inquiry to be held otherwise than in public where or to the extent that a Minister of the Crown so directs.

[F49 (4A) Provision that may be made by virtue of subsection (4)(a) includes, in particular, provision conferring functions on the Office for Nuclear Regulation in relation to powers of entry and inspection in relation to any premises for which it is an enforcing authority.]

[F50 (5) In the case of a special report made by virtue of subsection (2), or a report made by the person holding an inquiry by virtue of subsection (2A), the Executive may cause the report, or so much of it as the Executive thinks fit, to be made public at such time and in such manner as it thinks fit.]

(6) [F51 The Executive]—

(a) in the case of an investigation and special report made by virtue of [F52 subsection (2)] above (otherwise than by an officer or servant of the Executive), may pay to the person making it such remuneration and expenses as the Secretary of State may, with the approval of the Minister for the Civil Service, determine;

(b) in the case of an inquiry held by virtue of [F53 subsection (2A)] above, may pay to the person holding it and to any assessor appointed to assist him such remuneration and expenses, and to persons attending the inquiry as witnesses such expenses, as the Secretary of State may, with the like approval, determine; and

(c) may, to such extent as the Secretary of State may determine, defray the other costs, if any, of any such investigation and special report or inquiry.

F55 (7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Extent Information

E10 This version of this provision extends to Northern Ireland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales and Scotland only

Textual Amendments

F44 Words in s. 14(1) substituted (1.4.2008) by The Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/960), art. 6(2) (with art. 21, Sch. 2)

F47 S. 14(2)(2A) substituted (1.4.2008) for s. 14(2) by The Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/960), art. 6(3) (with art. 21, Sch. 2)

F48 Words in s. 14(3) substituted (1.4.2008) by The Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/960), art. 6(4) (with art. 21, Sch. 2)

F49 S. 14(4A) inserted (1.4.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), s. 156(1), Sch. 12 para. 4(3); S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

F50 S. 14(5) substituted (1.4.2008) by The Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/960), art. 6(5) (with art. 21, Sch. 2)

F51 Words in s. 14(6) substituted (1.4.2008) by The Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/960), art. 6(6)(a) (with art. 21, Sch. 2)

F52 Words in s. 14(6)(a) substituted (1.4.2008) by The Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/960), art. 6(6)(b) (with art. 21, Sch. 2)

F53 Words in s. 14(6)(b) substituted (1.4.2008) by The Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/960), art. 6(6)(c) (with art. 21, Sch. 2)

F55 S. 14(7) repealed (E.W.N.I.) (15.6.2017) by The Inquiries into Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths etc. (Scotland) Act 2016 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/1142), art. 1(2), Sch. para. 3(2) (with art. 7(2)); S.S.I. 2017/155, reg. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C101 Ss. 1–25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 33, 34–59, 80, 81 and 82 applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2–10

C102 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))

C103 S. 14 continued (1.4.2008) by The Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/960), art. 21, Sch. 2 para. 6(2)

C104 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))

Health and safety regulations and approved codes of practice U.K.

15 Health and safety regulations. U.K.

[F56 ( 1 ) Subject to the provisions of section 50, the Secretary of State F57 . . . shall have power to make regulations under this section for any of the general purposes of this Part (and regulations so made are in this Part referred to as “ health and safety regulations ”). ]

[F58 (1A) In subsection (1), the reference to the general purposes of this Part does not include a reference to any of the following—

(a) the nuclear safety purposes;

(b) the nuclear security purposes;

(c) the nuclear safeguards purposes;

(d) the radioactive material transport purposes.

(1B) Subsection (1A) does not preclude health and safety regulations from including provision merely because the provision could be made for any of the purposes mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (d) of that subsection.]

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of [F59 subsection (1) ], health and safety regulations may for any of the general purposes of this Part make provision for any of the purposes mentioned in Schedule 3.

(3) Health and safety regulations—

(a) may repeal or modify any of the existing statutory provisions;

(b) may exclude or modify in relation to any specified class of case any of the provisions of sections 2 to 9 or any of the existing statutory provisions;

(c) may [F60 , subject to subsection (3A), ]make a specified authority or class of authorities responsible, to such extent as may be specified, for the enforcement of any of the relevant statutory provisions.

[F61 (3A) Nothing in this section is to be taken to permit health and safety regulations to make provision about responsibility for the enforcement of any of the relevant statutory provisions as they apply in relation to any GB nuclear site.

(3B) Subsection (3A) does not prevent health and safety regulations providing for the [F62 Office of Rail Regulation][F62 Office of Rail and Road] to be responsible for the enforcement, in relation to GB nuclear sites, of any of the relevant statutory provisions that are made for the railway safety purposes.

(3C) In subsections (3A) and (3B), “ GB nuclear site ” has the same meaning as in section 68 of the Energy Act 2013 (nuclear safety purposes). ]

(4) Health and safety regulations—

(a) may impose requirements by reference to the approval of [F63 the Executive] or any other specified body or person;

(b) may provide for references in the regulations to any specified document to operate as reference to that document as revised or re-issued from time to time.

(5) Health and safety regulations—

(a) may provide (either unconditionally or subject to conditions, and with or without limit of time) for exemptions from any requirement or prohibition imposed by or under any of the relevant statutory provisions;

(b) may enable exemptions from any requirement or prohibition imposed by or under any of the relevant statutory provisions to be granted (either unconditionally or subject to conditions, and with or without limit of time) by any specified person or by any person authorised in that behalf by a specified authority.

(6) Health and safety regulations—

(a) may specify the persons or classes of persons who, in the event of a contravention of a requirement or prohibition imposed by or under the regulations, are to be guilty of an offence, whether in addition to or to the exclusion of other persons or classes of persons;

(b) may provide for any specified defence to be available in proceedings for any offence under the relevant statutory provisions either generally or in specified circumstances;

(c) may exclude proceedings on indictment in relation to offences consisting of a contravention of a requirement or prohibition imposed by or under any of the existing statutory provisions, sections 2 to 9 or health and safety regulations;

(d) may restrict the punishments [F64 (other than the maximum fine on conviction on indictment)] which can be imposed in respect of any such offence as is mentioned in paragraph (c) above.

[F65 (e) F66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ]

(7) Without prejudice to section 35, health and safety regulations may make provision for enabling offences under any of the relevant statutory provisions to be treated as having been committed at any specified place for the purpose of bringing any such offence within the field of responsibility of any enforcing authority or conferring jurisdiction on any court to entertain proceedings for any such offence.

(8) Health and safety regulations may take the form of regulations applying to particular circumstances only or to a particular case only (for example, regulations applying to particular premises only).

(9) If an Order in Council is made under section 84(3) providing that this section shall apply to or in relation to persons, premises or work outside Great Britain then, notwithstanding the Order, health and safety regulations shall not apply to or in relation to aircraft in flight, vessels, hovercraft or offshore installations outside Great Britain or persons at work outside Great Britain in connection with submarine cables or submarine pipelines except in so far as the regulations expressly so provide.

(10) In this section “specified” means specified in health and safety regulations.

Textual Amendments

F56 S. 15(1) substituted by Employment Protection Act 1975 (c. 71), Sch. 15 para. 6

F57 Words in S. 15(1) repealed (27.3.2002) by S.I. 2002/794, art. 5(2), Sch. 2(with art. 6)

F58 S. 15(1A)(1B) inserted (1.4.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), s. 156(1), Sch. 12 para. 5(2); S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

F59 Words in s. 15(2) substituted (1.4.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), s. 156(1), Sch. 12 para. 5(3); S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

F60 Words in s. 15(3)(c) inserted (1.4.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), s. 156(1), Sch. 12 para. 5(4); S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

F61 S. 15(3A)-(3C) inserted (1.4.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), s. 156(1), Sch. 12 para. 5(5); S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

F62 Words in s. 15(3B) substituted (E.W.S.) (16.10.2015) by The Office of Rail Regulation (Change of Name) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1682), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 4(c)(i)

F63 Words in s. 15(4)(a) substituted (1.4.2008) by The Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/960), art. 7 (with art. 21, Sch. 2)

F64 Words inserted by Criminal Law Act 1977 (c. 45), Sch. 12

F65 S. 15(6)(e) inserted (E.W.S.) (6.3.1992) by Offshore Safety Act 1992 (c. 15), s. 4(1)(6).

F66 S. 15(6)(e) repealed (16.1.2009) by Health and Safety (Offences) Act 2008 (c. 20), ss. 2, 3(2), Sch. 3 para. 2(1), Sch. 4 (with s. 3(3))

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C36 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))

C105 Ss. 1–25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 33, 34–59, 80, 81 and 82 applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2–10

C106 S. 15 extended (E.W.S.) (6.3.1992) by Offshore Safety Act 1992 (c. 15), ss. 1(2), 2(2).

S. 15 extended (31.10.1994) by 1994 c. 21, s. 55(1)(3) (with s. 40(7)); S.I. 1994/2553, art. 2

S. 15 applied (19.10.1994) by S.I. 1994/2479, reg. 3

S. 15 applied (31.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3247, reg. 16(1)(a)

C107 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))

C108 S. 15 modified (20.9.2001) by S.I. 2001/2975, reg. 19

C109 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))

C110 S. 15(1) extended (E.W.S) (2.2.1994) by 1993 c. 43, ss. 117(3)(6), 150(1)(e); S.I. 1994/202, art. 2

C111 S. 15(7): power to apply conferred (E.W.S.) (28.8.1995) by 1995 c. 15, ss. 2(4)(a), 5 (with s. 3(5))

16 Approval of codes of practice by [F67 the Executive]. E+W+S

(1) For the purpose of providing practical guidance with respect to the requirements of any provision of [F68 any of the enactments or instruments mentioned in subsection (1A) below] , [F67 the Executive] may, subject to the following subsection F69 . . .

(a) approve and issue such codes of practice (whether prepared by it or not) as in its opinion are suitable for that purpose;

(b) approve such codes of practice issued or proposed to be issued otherwise than by [F67 the Executive] as in its opinion are suitable for that purpose.

[F70 (1A) Those enactments and instruments are—

(a) sections 2 to 7 above;

(b) health and safety regulations, except so far as they make provision exclusively in relation to transport systems falling within paragraph 1(3) of Schedule 3 to the Railways Act 2005; and

(c) the existing statutory provisions that are not such provisions by virtue of section 117(4) of the Railways Act 1993.]

(2) [F67 The Executive] shall not approve a code of practice under subsection (1) above without the consent of the Secretary of State, and shall, before seeking his consent, consult—

(a) any government department or other body that appears to [F67 the Executive] to be appropriateF71 ...F71 ...F71 ...; and

(b) such government departments and other bodies, if any, as in relation to any matter dealt with in the code, [F67 the Executive] is required to consult under this section by virtue of directions given to it by the Secretary of State.

(3) Where a code of practice is approved by [F67 the Executive] under subsection (1) above, [F67 the Executive] shall issue a notice in writing—

(a) identifying the code in question and stating the date on which its approval by [F67 the Executive] is to take effect; and

(b) specifying for which of the provisions mentioned in subsection (1) above the code is approved.

(4) [F67 The Executive] may—

(a) from time to time revise the whole or any part of any code of practice prepared by it in pursuance of this section;

(b) approve any revision or proposed revision of the whole or any part of any code of practice for the time being approved under this section;

and the provisions of subsections (2) and (3) above shall, with the necessary modifications, apply in relation to the approval of any revision under this subsection as they apply in relation to the approval of a code of practice under subsection (1) above.

(5) [F67 The Executive] may at any time with the consent of the Secretary of State withdraw its approval from any code of practice approved under this section, but before seeking his consent shall consult the same government departments and other bodies as it would be required to consult under subsection (2) above if it were proposing to approve the code.

(6) Where under the preceding subsection [F67 the Executive] withdraws its approval from a code of practice approved under this section, [F67 the Executive] shall issue a notice in writing identifying the code in question and stating the date on which its approval of it is to cease to have effect.

(7) References in this Part to an approved code of practice are references to that code as it has effect for the time being by virtue of any revision of the whole or any part of it approved under this section.

(8) The power of [F67 the Executive] under subsection (1)(b) above to approve a code of practice issued or proposed to be issued otherwise than by [F67 the Executive] shall include power to approve a part of such a code of practice; and accordingly in this Part “code of practice” may be read as including a part of such a code of practice.

Extent Information

E4 This version of this provision extends to England and Wales and Scotland only; a separate version has been created for Northern Ireland only

Textual Amendments

F67 Words in s. 16 substituted (1.4.2008) by The Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/960), art. 8 (with art. 21, Sch. 2)

F68 Words in s. 16(1) substituted (E.W.S.) (1.4.2006) by Railways Act 2005 (c. 14), ss. 2, 60, Sch. 3 para. 9(1); S.I. 2006/266, art. 2, Sch.

F69 Words repealed by Employment Protection Act 1975 (c. 71), Sch. 18

F70 S. 16(1A) inserted (E.W.S.) (1.4.2006) by Railways Act 2005 (c. 14), ss. 2, 60, Sch. 3 para. 9(2); S.I. 2006/266, art. 2, Sch.

F71 Words in s. 16(2)(a) omitted (1.4.2013) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), s. 306(4), Sch. 7 para. 5; S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-9)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C36 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))

C112 Ss. 1–25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 33, 34–59, 80, 81 and 82 applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2–10

Ss. 16-21, 23, 24, 26, 28, 33, 34, 36-39, 42(1)-(3), 46 extended (E.W.S.) (1.10.1996) by S.I. 1996/1513, reg. 10

Ss. 16-24, 26, 28, 33-40, 42, 46, 47 excluded (with saving) (E.W.S.) (1.12.1997) by S.I. 1997/1840, regs. 7, 9

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

C113 Ss. 16-21 extended (with modifications) (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/743, reg. 20(1), (2), (3)

Ss. 16-21 applied (E.W.S.) (20.9.2001) by S.I. 2001/2975, reg. 19(a)

Ss. 16-26 applied (E.W.S.) (24.7.2002) by S.I. 2002/1689, reg. 14(1)(a)

C114 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))

C115 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))

C116 Ss. 16-26 applied (E.W.S.) (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))

C117 Ss. 16-21 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)(a) (with reg. 3(2))

C118 Ss. 16-22 applied (E.W.S.) (19.7.2015) by The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/398), regs. 1, 36(1)(a) (with reg. 4(2), Sch. 14)

16 Approval of codes of practice by [F67 the Executive]. N.I.

(1) For the purpose of providing practical guidance with respect to the requirements of any provision of sections 2 to 7 or of health and safety regulations or of any of the existing statutory provisions, [F67 the Executive] may, subject to the following subsection F69 . . .

(a) approve and issue such codes of practice (whether prepared by it or not) as in its opinion are suitable for that purpose;

(b) approve such codes of practice issued or proposed to be issued otherwise than by [F67 the Executive] as in its opinion are suitable for that purpose.

(2) [F67 The Executive] shall not approve a code of practice under subsection (1) above without the consent of the Secretary of State, and shall, before seeking his consent, consult—

(a) any government department or other body that appears to [F67 the Executive] to be appropriateF71 ...; and

(b) such government departments and other bodies, if any, as in relation to any matter dealt with in the code, [F67 the Executive] is required to consult under this section by virtue of directions given to it by the Secretary of State.

(3) Where a code of practice is approved by [F67 the Executive] under subsection (1) above, [F67 the Executive] shall issue a notice in writing—

(a) identifying the code in question and stating the date on which its approval by [F67 the Executive] is to take effect; and

(b) specifying for which of the provisions mentioned in subsection (1) above the code is approved.

(4) [F67 The Executive] may—

(a) from time to time revise the whole or any part of any code of practice prepared by it in pursuance of this section;

(b) approve any revision or proposed revision of the whole or any part of any code of practice for the time being approved under this section;

and the provisions of subsections (2) and (3) above shall, with the necessary modifications, apply in relation to the approval of any revision under this subsection as they apply in relation to the approval of a code of practice under subsection (1) above.

(5) [F67 The Executive] may at any time with the consent of the Secretary of State withdraw its approval from any code of practice approved under this section, but before seeking his consent shall consult the same government departments and other bodies as it would be required to consult under subsection (2) above if it were proposing to approve the code.

(6) Where under the preceding subsection [F67 the Executive] withdraws its approval from a code of practice approved under this section, [F67 the Executive] shall issue a notice in writing identifying the code in question and stating the date on which its approval of it is to cease to have effect.

(7) References in this Part to an approved code of practice are references to that code as it has effect for the time being by virtue of any revision of the whole or any part of it approved under this section.

(8) The power of [F67 the Executive] under subsection (1)(b) above to approve a code of practice issued or proposed to be issued otherwise than by [F67 the Executive] shall include power to approve a part of such a code of practice; and accordingly in this Part “code of practice” may be read as including a part of such a code of practice.

Extent Information

E11 This version of this provision extends to Northern Ireland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales and Scotland only

Textual Amendments

F67 Words in s. 16 substituted (1.4.2008) by The Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/960), art. 8 (with art. 21, Sch. 2)

F69 Words repealed by Employment Protection Act 1975 (c. 71), Sch. 18

F71 Words in s. 16(2)(a) omitted (1.4.2013) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), s. 306(4), Sch. 7 para. 5; S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-9)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C112 Ss. 1–25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 33, 34–59, 80, 81 and 82 applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2–10

Ss. 16-21, 23, 24, 26, 28, 33, 34, 36-39, 42(1)-(3), 46 extended (E.W.S.) (1.10.1996) by S.I. 1996/1513, reg. 10

Ss. 16-24, 26, 28, 33-40, 42, 46, 47 excluded (with saving) (E.W.S.) (1.12.1997) by S.I. 1997/1840, regs. 7, 9

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

C113 Ss. 16-21 extended (with modifications) (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/743, reg. 20(1), (2), (3)

Ss. 16-21 applied (E.W.S.) (20.9.2001) by S.I. 2001/2975, reg. 19(a)

Ss. 16-26 applied (E.W.S.) (24.7.2002) by S.I. 2002/1689, reg. 14(1)(a)

C114 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))

C115 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))

C117 Ss. 16-21 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)(a) (with reg. 3(2))

C118 Ss. 16-22 applied (E.W.S.) (19.7.2015) by The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/398), regs. 1, 36(1)(a) (with reg. 4(2), Sch. 14)

17 Use of approved codes of practice in criminal proceedings. U.K.

(1) A failure on the part of any person to observe any provision of an approved code of practice shall not of itself render him liable to any civil or criminal proceedings; but where in any criminal proceedings a party is alleged to have committed an offence by reason of a contravention of any requirement or prohibition imposed by or under any such provision as is mentioned in section 16(1) being a provision for which there was an approved code of practice at the time of the alleged contravention, the following subsection shall have effect with respect to that code in relation to those proceedings.

(2) Any provision of the code of practice which appears to the court to be relevant to the requirement or prohibition alleged to have been contravened shall be admissible in evidence in the proceedings; and if it is proved that there was at any material time a failure to observe any provision of the code which appears to the court to be relevant to any matter which it is necessary for the prosecution to prove in order to establish a contravention of that requirement or prohibition, that matter shall be taken as proved unless the court is satisfied that the requirement or prohibition was in respect of that matter complied with otherwise than by way of observance of that provision of the code.

(3) In any criminal proceedings—

(a) a document purporting to be a notice issued by [F72 the Executive] under section 16 shall be taken to be such a notice unless the contrary is proved; and

(b) a code of practice which appears to the court to be the subject of such a notice shall be taken to be the subject of that notice unless the contrary is proved.

Textual Amendments

F72 Words in s. 17(3)(a) substituted (1.4.2008) by The Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/960), art. 9 (with art. 21, Sch. 2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C36 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))

C116 Ss. 16-26 applied (E.W.S.) (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))

C117 Ss. 16-21 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)(a) (with reg. 3(2))

C118 Ss. 16-22 applied (E.W.S.) (19.7.2015) by The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/398), regs. 1, 36(1)(a) (with reg. 4(2), Sch. 14)

C119 Ss. 1–25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 33, 34–59, 80, 81 and 82 applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2–10

Ss. 16-21, 23, 24, 26, 28, 33, 34, 36-39, 42(1)-(3), 46 extended (E.W.S.) (1.10.1996) by S.I. 1996/1513, reg. 10

Ss. 16-24, 26, 28, 33-40, 42, 46, 47 excluded (with saving) (E.W.S.) (1.12.1997) by S.I. 1997/1840, regs. 7, 9

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

Ss. 16-26 applied (E.W.S.) (24.7.2002) by S.I. 2002/1689, reg. 14(1)(a)

C120 Ss. 16-21 extended (with modifications) (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/743, reg. 20(1)(a), (2)(3)

Ss. 16-21 applied (E.W.S.) (20.9.2001) by S.I. 2001/2975, reg. 19(a)

C121 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))

C122 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))

Enforcement U.K.

18 Authorities responsible for enforcement of the relevant statutory provisions. U.K.

(1) It shall be the duty of the Executive to make adequate arrangements for the enforcement of the relevant statutory provisions except to the extent that some other authority or class of authorities is by any of those provisions or by regulations under subsection (2) below made responsible for their enforcement.

[F73 (1A) The Office for Nuclear Regulation is responsible for the enforcement of the relevant statutory provisions as they apply in relation to GB nuclear sites (within the meaning given in section 68 of the Energy Act 2013 (nuclear safety purposes)).

(1B) Subsection (1A) is subject to any provision of health and safety regulations making the [F74 Office of Rail Regulation][F74 Office of Rail and Road] responsible for the enforcement of any of the relevant statutory provisions to any extent in relation to such sites.]

(2) The Secretary of State may by regulations—

[F75 (za) make the Office for Nuclear Regulation responsible for the enforcement of the relevant statutory provisions to such extent as may be prescribed (and may in particular provide for any site or matter in relation to which the Office for Nuclear Regulation is made so responsible to be determined by the Secretary of State or the Office for Nuclear Regulation under the regulations);]

(a) make local authorities responsible for the enforcement of the relevant statutory provisions to such extent as may be prescribed;

(b) make provision for enabling responsibility for enforcing any of the relevant statutory provisions to be, to such extent as may be determined under the regulations—

[F76 (zi) transferred from the Executive or local authorities to the Office for Nuclear Regulation, or from the Office for Nuclear Regulation to the Executive or local authorities;]

(i) transferred from the Executive to local authorities or from local authorities to the Executive; or

(ii) assigned to the Executive [F77 , to the Office for Nuclear Regulation ]or to local authorities for the purpose of removing any uncertainty as to what are by virtue of [F78 subsection (1A) or ]this subsection their respective responsibilities for the enforcement of those provisions;

[F79 (iii) assigned to the [F74 Office of Rail Regulation][F74 Office of Rail and Road] or the Office for Nuclear Regulation for the purpose of removing any uncertainty as to what are by virtue of any of the relevant statutory provisions their respective responsibilities for the enforcement of any of those provisions;]

and any regulations made in pursuance of paragraph (b) above shall include provision for securing that any transfer or assignment effected under the regulations is brought to the notice of persons affected by it.

(3) Any provision made by regulations under the preceding subsection shall have effect subject to any provision made by health and safety regulations F80 . . . in pursuance of section 15(3)(c).

[F81 (3A) Regulations under subsection (2)(a) may not make local authorities enforcing authorities in relation to any site in relation to which the Office for Nuclear Regulation is an enforcing authority.]

[F81 ( 3B ) Where the Office for Nuclear Regulation is, by or under subsection (1A) or (2), made responsible for the enforcement of any of the relevant statutory provisions to any extent, it must make adequate arrangements for the enforcement of those provisions to that extent.]

(4) It shall be the duty of every local authority—

(a) to make adequate arrangements for the enforcement within their area of the relevant statutory provisions to the extent that they are by any of those provisions or by regulations under subsection (2) above made responsible for their enforcement; and

(b) to perform the duty imposed on them by the preceding paragraph and any other functions conferred on them by any of the relevant statutory provisions in accordance with such guidance as [F82 the Executive] may give them.

[F83 (4A) Before the Executive gives guidance under subsection (4)(b) it shall consult the local authorities.

(4B) It shall be the duty of the Executive and the local authorities—

(a) to work together to establish best practice and consistency in the enforcement of the relevant statutory provisions;

(b) to enter into arrangements with each other for securing cooperation and the exchange of information in connection with the carrying out of their functions with regard to the relevant statutory provisions; and

(c) from time to time to review those arrangements and to revise them when they consider it appropriate to do so.]

(5) Where any authority other than F80 . . ., the Executive [F84 the Office for Nuclear Regulation ] or a local authority is by any of the relevant statutory provisions F85 . . . made responsible for the enforcement of any of those provisions to any extent, it shall be the duty of that authority—

(a) to make adequate arrangements for the enforcement of those provisions to that extent; and

(b) [F86 except where that authority is the [F74 Office of Rail Regulation][F74 Office of Rail and Road],]to perform the duty imposed on the authority by the preceding paragraph and any other functions conferred on the authority by any of the relevant statutory provisions in accordance with such guidance as [F87 the Executive] may give to the authority.

(6) Nothing in the provisions of this Act or of any regulations made thereunder charging any person in Scotland with the enforcement of any of the relevant statutory provisions shall be construed as authorising that person to institute proceedings for any offence.

(7) In this Part—

(a) “enforcing authority” means the Executive or any other authority which is by any of the relevant statutory provisions or by regulations under subsection (2) above made responsible for the enforcement of any of those provisions to any extent; and

(b) any reference to an enforcing authority’s field of responsibility is a reference to the field over which that authority’s responsibility for the enforcement of those provisions extends for the time being;

but where by virtue of [F88 subsection (3) of section 13] [F89 of this Act or section 95 of the Energy Act 2013 (power for Office for Nuclear Regulation to arrange for exercise of functions by others) ]the performance of any function of F90 . . . the Executive [F91 or the Office for Nuclear Regulation ] is delegated to a government department or person, references to F90 . . . the Executive [F92 or the Office for Nuclear Regulation (as the case may be)] (or to an enforcing authority where that authority is the Executive) in any provision of this Part which relates to that function shall, so far as may be necessary to give effect to any agreement [F93 or arrangements under the provision in question ] , be construed as references to that department or person; and accordingly any reference to the field of responsibility of an enforcing authority shall be construed as a reference to the field over which that department or person for the time being performs such a function.

Textual Amendments

F73 S. 18(1A)(1B) inserted (1.4.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), s. 156(1), Sch. 12 para. 6(2); S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

F74 Words in s. 18 substituted (E.W.S.) (16.10.2015) by The Office of Rail Regulation (Change of Name) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1682), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 4(c)(ii)

F75 S. 18(2)(za) inserted (1.4.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), s. 156(1), Sch. 12 para. 6(3)(a); S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

F76 S. 18(2)(b)(zi) inserted (1.4.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), s. 156(1), Sch. 12 para. 6(3)(b); S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

F77 Words in s. 18(2)(b)(ii) inserted (1.4.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), s. 156(1), Sch. 12 para. 6(3)(c)(i); S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

F78 Words in s. 18(2)(b)(ii) inserted (1.4.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), s. 156(1), Sch. 12 para. 6(3)(c)(ii); S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

F79 S. 18(2)(b)(iii) inserted (1.4.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), s. 156(1), Sch. 12 para. 6(3)(d); S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

F80 Words repealed by Employment Protection Act 1975 (c. 71), Sch. 18

F81 s. 18(3A)(3B) inserted (1.4.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), s. 156(1), Sch. 12 para. 6(4); S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

F82 Words in s. 18(4)(b) substituted (1.4.2008) by The Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/960), art. 10(2) (with art. 21, Sch. 2)

F83 S. 18(4A)(4B) inserted (1.4.2008) by The Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/960), art. 10(3) (with art. 21, Sch. 2)

F84 Words in s. 18(5) inserted (1.4.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), s. 156(1), Sch. 12 para. 6(5); S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

F85 Words in s. 18(5) repealed (8.6.2005) by Railways Act 2005 (c. 14), ss. 59, 60, Sch. 13 Pt. 1 (with s. 14(4)(5), Sch. 11 para. 11(2)); S.I. 2005/1444, art. 2, Sch. 1

F86 Words in s. 18(5)(b) inserted (1.4.2006) by Railways Act 2005 (c. 14), ss. 2, 60, Sch. 3 para. 10(3); S.I. 2006/266, art. 2(2), Sch.

F87 Words in s. 18(5)(b) substituted (1.4.2008) by The Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/960), art. 10(4) (with art. 21, Sch. 2)

F88 Words in s. 18(7) substituted (1.4.2008) by The Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/960), art. 10(5)(a) (with art. 21, Sch. 2)

F89 Words in s. 18(7) inserted (1.4.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), s. 156(1), Sch. 12 para. 6(6)(a); S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

F90 Words in s. 18(7) omitted (1.4.2008) by virtue of The Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/960), art. 10(5)(c) (with art. 21, Sch. 2)

F91 Words in s. 18(7) inserted (1.4.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), s. 156(1), Sch. 12 para. 6(6)(b); S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

F92 Words in s. 18(7) inserted (1.4.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), s. 156(1), Sch. 12 para. 6(6)(c); S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

F93 Words in s. 18(7) substituted (1.4.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), s. 156(1), Sch. 12 para. 6(6)(d); S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C36 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))

C116 Ss. 16-26 applied (E.W.S.) (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))

C117 Ss. 16-21 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)(a) (with reg. 3(2))

C118 Ss. 16-22 applied (E.W.S.) (19.7.2015) by The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/398), regs. 1, 36(1)(a) (with reg. 4(2), Sch. 14)

C123 Ss. 1–25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 33, 34–59, 80, 81 and 82 applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2–10

Ss. 16-21, 23, 24, 26, 28, 33, 34, 36-39, 42(1)-(3), 46 extended (E.W.S.) (1.10.1996) by S.I. 1996/1513, reg. 10

Ss. 16-24, 26, 28, 33-40, 42, 46, 47 excluded (with saving) (E.W.S.) (1.12.1997) by S.I. 1997/1840, regs. 7, 9

Ss. 18-20: power to apply conferred (E.W.S.) (28.8.1995) by 1995 c. 15, ss. 2(4)(b), 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. 16-26, 33-42, 47 applied (15.11.2000) by S.I. 2000/2831, reg. 26(1)(a)

C124 S. 18 extended (with modifications) (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/743, reg. 20(1)-(3)

S. 18 applied (E.W.S.) (20.9.2001) by S.I. 2001/2975, reg. 19(a)

S. 18 applied (E.W.S.) (24.7.2002) by S.I. 2002/1689, reg. 14(1)(a)

S. 18 applied (31.3.2002) by S.I. 2002/528, reg. 10

C125 Ss. 18-26 applied (with modifications) (19.11.1999) by S.I. 1999/2892, reg. 16(1)

C126 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))

C127 S. 18 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (9.6.2004) by S.I. 2004/1309, reg. 17

C128 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))

C129 Ss. 18-26 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)

C130 Ss. 18-28 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)31)

C131 Ss. 18-21 applied (E.W.S.) (19.7.2015) by The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/398), regs. 1, 36(8)(a) (with reg. 4(2), Sch. 14)

C132 S. 18(1) applied (with modifications) (1.4.1999) (with savings) by S.I. 1999/743, reg. 20(3)(4)

C133 S. 18(1) 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(2)(b) (with regs. 3(2), 27(3))

C134 S. 18(1) applied (19.7.2015) by The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/398), regs. 1, 36(9) (with reg. 4(2), Sch. 14)

C135 S. 18(1) applied (E.W.S.) (19.7.2015) by The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/398), regs. 1, 36(3) (with reg. 4(2), Sch. 14)

C136 S. 18(3B) 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(2)(a) (with regs. 3(2), 27(3))

C137 S. 18(6) modified (6.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/711, regs. 1(2), 28(3)(b)(5)(a)

C138 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)

C139 S. 18(7) applied by Fire Precautions Act 1971 (c. 40, SIF 50), s. 21(3) as inserted by Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50), s. 11

C140 S. 18(7)(b) modified (6.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/711, regs. 1(2), 28(3)(b)(5)(a)

19 Appointment of inspectors. U.K.

(1) Every enforcing authority may appoint as inspectors (under whatever title it may from time to time determine) such persons having suitable qualifications as it thinks necessary for carrying into effect the relevant statutory provisions within its field of responsibility, and may terminate any appointment made under this section.

(2) Every appointment of a person as an inspector under this section shall be made by an instrument in writing specifying which of the powers conferred on inspectors by the relevant statutory provisions are to be exercisable by the person appointed; and an inspector shall in right of his appointment under this section—

(a) be entitled to exercise only such of those powers as are so specified; and

(b) be entitled to exercise the powers so specified only within the field of responsibility of the authority which appointed him.

(3) So much of an inspector’s instrument of appointment as specifies the powers which he is entitled to exercise may be varied by the enforcing authority which appointed him.

(4) An inspector shall, if so required when exercising or seeking to exercise any power conferred on him by any of the relevant statutory provisions, produce his instrument of appointment or a duly authenticated copy thereof.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C36 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))

C116 Ss. 16-26 applied (E.W.S.) (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))

C117 Ss. 16-21 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)(a) (with reg. 3(2))

C118 Ss. 16-22 applied (E.W.S.) (19.7.2015) by The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/398), regs. 1, 36(1)(a) (with reg. 4(2), Sch. 14)

C129 Ss. 18-26 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)

C130 Ss. 18-28 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)31)

C131 Ss. 18-21 applied (E.W.S.) (19.7.2015) by The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/398), regs. 1, 36(8)(a) (with reg. 4(2), Sch. 14)

C141 S. 19 applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2-10

C142 S. 19 applied (with modifications) (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/3073, reg. 28, Sch. 6 para. 1(b)

S. 19 extended (E.W.S.) (1.10.1996) by S.I. 1996/1513, reg. 10

S. 19 excluded (with saving) (E.W.S.) (1.12.1997) by S.I. 1997/1840, regs. 7, 9

S. 19 applied (with modifications) (9.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3260, reg. 17(3)(5)

S. 19: power to apply conferred (E.W.S.) (28.8.1995) by 1995 c. 15, ss. 2(4)(b), 5 (with s. 3(5))

S. 19 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (16.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/772, reg. 17

S. 19 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.3.1996) by S.I. 1996/192, reg. 15, Sch. 14 para. 1(b); S. 19 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.7.1997) by S.I. 1997/831, reg. 19(1)-(4), Sch. 15 para. 1(a)(b)

C143 S. 19 modified (6.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/711, regs. 1(2), 28(3)(b)(5)(a)

S. 19 restricted (E.W.S.) (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 30(3) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3

S. 19 applied (15.11.2000) by S.I. 2000/2831, reg. 26(1)(a)

C144 S. 19 extended (with modifications) (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/743, reg. 20(1)(2)(3)

S. 19 applied (E.W.S.) (20.9.2001) by S.I. 2001/2975, reg. 19(a)

S. 19 applied (E.W.S.) (24.7.2002) by S.I. 2002/1689, reg. 14(1)(a) S. 19 applied (31.3.2002) by S.I. 2002/528, reg. 10

S. 19 applied (16.5.2002) by S.I. 2002/1166, reg. 31 (with art. 37)

C145 S. 19 applied (12.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/743, reg. 22(7)

C146 S. 19 applied (with modifications) (19.11.1999) by S.I. 1999/2892, reg. 16(1)

C147 S. 19 applied (with modifications) (29.11.1999) by S.I. 1999/2001, reg. 24(1), Sch. 8 para. 1(b)

C148 S. 19 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))

C149 S. 19 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); ss. 19-22 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (3.5.2004) by S.I. 2004/129, reg. 23(3)(a); s. 19 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (9.6.2004) by S.I. 2004/1309, reg. 17; s. 19 applied (E.W.S.) (22.4.2005) by S.I. 2005/928, reg. 4(2)(3)(5)(6); ss. 19-22 applied (2.4.2006) by S.I. 2006/397, reg. 34

C150 S. 19 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)(a) (subject to (4)-(6)) (with art. 7)

C151 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))

C152 S. 19 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)(a)

C153 S. 19 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)(a)

C154 Ss. 19-28 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}

C155 S. 19 applied (with modifications) (16.1.2012) by The Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/3066), regs. 1(2), 39(2)(3)(a) (with reg. 3)

C156 Ss. 19, 20 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)31)

C157 Ss. 19-28 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

C158 S. 19 applied (with modifications) (17.8.2015) by The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1553), reg. 1, Sch. 8 paras. 1(b), 2

C159 Ss. 19-28 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))

C160 S. 19 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1101), reg. 1, Sch. 4 paras. 1, 2 (with reg. 3)

C161 S. 19 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1092), reg. 1, Sch. 6 paras. 1(a), 2 (with reg. 3)

C162 S. 19 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Lifts Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1093), reg. 1, Sch. 8 paras. 1(b), 2 (with regs. 3-5)

C163 S. 19 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1105), reg. 1, Sch. 8 paras. 1(a), 2 (with reg. 88)

C164 S. 19 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (8.12.2016) by The Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1107), reg. 1(1), Sch. 4 para. 1(a)

C165 S. 19 applied (with modifications) (21.4.2018) by The Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/390), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 (with reg. 2(1)-(3))

C166 S. 19 applied (with modifications) (21.4.2018) by The Gas Appliances (Enforcement) and Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/389), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 (with reg. 2)

C167 Ss. 19-22 applied (with modifications) (30.7.2018) by The Cableway Installations Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/816), regs. 1, 21(1)-(3) (with reg. 4)

C168 S. 19(2)(3) excluded (E.W.S.) (15.2.1999) by 1998 c. 17, s. 8(2)(c), (with s. 9(1)(2), Sch. 3 para. 5); S.I. 1999/161, art. 2(1)(2)

20 Powers of inspectors. U.K.

(1) Subject to the provisions of section 19 and this section, an inspector may, for the purpose of carrying into effect any of the relevant statutory provisions within the field of responsibility of the enforcing authority which appointed him, exercise the powers set out in subsection (2) below.

(2) The powers of an inspector referred to in the preceding subsection are the following, namely—

(a) at any reasonable time (or, in a situation which in his opinion is or may be dangerous, at any time) to enter any premises which he has reason to believe it is necessary for him to enter for the purpose mentioned in subsection (1) above;

(b) to take with him a constable if he has reasonable cause to apprehend any serious obstruction in the execution of his duty;

(c) without prejudice to the preceding paragraph, on entering any premises by virtue of paragraph (a) above to take with him—

(i) any other person duly authorised by his (the inspector’s) enforcing authority; and

(ii) any equipment or materials required for any purpose for which the power of entry is being exercised;

(d) to make such examination and investigation as may in any circumstances be necessary for the purpose mentioned in subsection (1) above;

(e) as regards any premises which he has power to enter, to direct that those premises or any part of them, or anything therein, shall be left undisturbed (whether generally or in particular respects) for so long as is reasonably necessary for the purpose of any examination or investigation under paragraph (d) above;

(f) to take such measurements and photographs and make such recordings as he considers necessary for the purpose of any examination or investigation under paragraph (d) above;

(g) to take samples of any articles or substances found in any premises which he has power to enter, and of the atmosphere in or in the vicinity of any such premises;

(h) in the case of any article or substance found in any premises which he has power to enter, being an article or substance which appears to him to have caused or to be likely to cause danger to health or safety, to cause it to be dismantled or subjected to any process or test (but not so as to damage or destroy it unless this is in the circumstances necessary for the purpose mentioned in subsection (1) above);

(i) in the case of any such article or substance as is mentioned in the preceding paragraph, to take possession of it and detain it for so long as is necessary for all or any of the following purposes, namely—

(i) to examine it and do to it anything which he has power to do under that paragraph;

(ii) to ensure that it is not tampered with before his examination of it is completed;

(iii) to ensure that it is available for use as evidence in any proceedings for an offence under any of the relevant statutory provisions or any proceedings relating to a notice under section 21 or 22;

(j) to require any person whom he has reasonable cause to believe to be able to give any information relevant to any examination or investigation under paragraph (d) above to answer (in the absence of persons other than a person nominated by him to be present and any persons whom the inspector may allow to be present) such questions as the inspector thinks fit to ask and to sign a declaration of the truth of his answers;

(k) to require the production of, inspect, and take copies of or of any entry in—

(i) any books or documents which by virtue of any of the relevant statutory provisions are required to be kept; and

(ii) any other books or documents which it is necessary for him to see for the purposes of any examination or investigation under paragraph (d) above;

(l) to require any person to afford him such facilities and assistance with respect to any matters or things within that person’s control or in relation to which that person has responsibilities as are necessary to enable the inspector to exercise any of the powers conferred on him by this section;

(m) any other power which is necessary for the purpose mentioned in subsection (1) above.

(3) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision as to the procedure to be followed in connection with the taking of samples under subsection (2)(g) above (including provision as to the way in which samples that have been so taken are to be dealt with).

(4) Where an inspector proposes to exercise the power conferred by subsection (2)(h) above in the case of an article or substance found in any premises, he shall, if so requested by a person who at the time is present in and has responsibilities in relation to those premises, cause anything which is to be done by virtue of that power to be done in the presence of that person unless the inspector considers that its being done in that person’s presence would be prejudicial to the safety of the State.

(5) Before exercising the power conferred by subsection (2)(h) above in the case of any article or substance, an inspector shall consult such persons as appear to him appropriate for the purpose of ascertaining what dangers, if any, there may be in doing anything which he proposes to do under that power.

(6) Where under the power conferred by subsection (2)(i) above an inspector takes possession of any article or substance found in any premises, he shall leave there, either with a responsible person or, if that is impracticable, fixed in a conspicuous position, a notice giving particulars of that article or substance sufficient to identify it and stating that he has taken possession of it under that power; and before taking possession of any such substance under that power an inspector shall, if it is practicable for him to do so, take a sample thereof and give to a responsible person at the premises a portion of the sample marked in a manner sufficient to identify it.

(7) No answer given by a person in pursuance of a requirement imposed under subsection (2)(j) above shall be admissible in evidence against that person or the [F94 spouse or civil partner] of that person in any proceedings.

(8) Nothing in this section shall be taken to compel the production by any person of a document of which he would on grounds of legal professional privilege be entitled to withhold production on an order for discovery in an action in the High Court or, as the case may be, on an order for the production of documents in an action in the Court of Session.

[F95 (9) Nothing in this section is to be read as enabling an inspector to secure the disclosure by a telecommunications operator or postal operator of communications data without the consent of the operator.

(10) In subsection (9) “communications data”, “postal operator” and “telecommunications operator” have the same meanings as in the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (see sections 261 and 262 of that Act).]

Textual Amendments

F94 Words in s. 20(7) substituted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), ss. 261(1), 263, Sch. 27 para. 49; S.I. 2005/3175, art. 2(2)

F95 S. 20(9)(10) inserted (22.7.2020) by Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (c. 25), s. 272(1), Sch. 2 para. 1 (with Sch. 9 paras. 7, 8, 10); S.I. 2020/766, reg. 2(d)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C36 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))

C116 Ss. 16-26 applied (E.W.S.) (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))

C117 Ss. 16-21 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)(a) (with reg. 3(2))

C118 Ss. 16-22 applied (E.W.S.) (19.7.2015) by The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/398), regs. 1, 36(1)(a) (with reg. 4(2), Sch. 14)

C129 Ss. 18-26 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)

C130 Ss. 18-28 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)31)

C131 Ss. 18-21 applied (E.W.S.) (19.7.2015) by The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/398), regs. 1, 36(8)(a) (with reg. 4(2), Sch. 14)

C156 Ss. 19, 20 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)31)

C157 Ss. 19-28 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

C159 Ss. 19-28 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))

C167 Ss. 19-22 applied (with modifications) (30.7.2018) by The Cableway Installations Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/816), regs. 1, 21(1)-(3) (with reg. 4)

C169 S. 20 applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2-10

S. 20 extended (E.W.S.) (1.10.1996) by S.I. 1996/1513, reg. 10

S. 20 excluded (with saving) (E.W.S.) (1.12.1997) by S.I. 1997/1840, regs. 7, 9

S. 20 applied (with modifications) (9.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3260, reg. 17(3)(5)

S. 20: power to apply conferred (E.W.S.) (28.8.1995) by 1995 c. 15, ss. 2(4)(b), 5 (with s. 3(5))

S. 20 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (16.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/772, reg. 17

S. 20 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.3.1996) by S.I. 1996/192, reg. 15, Sch. 14 para. 1(b)

S. 20 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.7.1997) by S.I. 1997/831, reg. 19(1)-(4), Sch. 15 para. 1(a)(b)

S. 20 applied (15.11.2000) by S.I. 2000/2831, reg. 26(1)(a)

C170 S. 20 modified by Gas Act 1986 (c. 44, SIF 44:2), s. 67(3), Sch. 8 para. 6(4)

S. 20 applied (E.W.S.) (15.12.1999) by 1998 c. 17, s. 8(1), (with s. 9(1)(2), Sch. 3 para. 5(1)); S.I. 1999/161, art. 2(1)(2)

C171 S. 20 applied (with modifications) (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/3073, reg. 28, Sch. 6 para. 1(b)

C172 S. 20 modified (6.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/711, regs. 1(2), 28(3)(b)(5)(a)

C173 S. 20 extended (with modifications) (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/743, reg. 20(1), (2)(3)

S. 20 applied (E.W.S.) (20.9.2001) by S.I. 2001/2975, reg. 19(a)

S. 20 applied (E.W.S.) (24.7.2002) by S.I. 2002/1689, reg. 14(1)(a)

S. 20 applied (31.3.2002) by S.I. 2002/528, reg. 10

S. 20 applied (16.5.2002) by S.I. 2002/1166, reg. 31 (with art. 37)

C174 Ss. 18-26 applied (with modifications) (19.11.1999) by S.I. 1999/2892, reg. 16(1)

C175 S. 20 applied (with modifications) (29.11.1999) by S.I. 1999/2001, reg. 24(1), Sch. 8 para. 1(b)

C176 S. 20 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))

C177 S. 20 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); s. 19-22 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (3.5.2004) by S.I. 2004/129, reg. 23(3)(a); s. 20 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (9.6.2004) by S.I. 2004/1309, reg. 17; s. 20 applied (E.W.S.) (22.4.2005) by S.I. 2005/928, reg. 4(2)(3)(5)(6); ss. 19-22 applied (2.4.2006) by S.I. 2006/397, reg. 34

C178 S. 20 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)(a) (subject to (4)-(6)) (with art. 7)

C179 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))

C180 S. 20 applied in part (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)(a)

C181 S. 20 applied in part (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)(a)

C182 Ss. 19-28 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}

C183 S. 20 applied (with modifications) (16.1.2012) by The Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/3066), regs. 1(2), 39(2)(3)(a) (with reg. 3)

C184 S. 20 applied (with modifications) (17.8.2015) by The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1553), reg. 1, Sch. 8 paras. 1(c), 2

C185 S. 20 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (8.12.2016) by The Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1107), reg. 1(1), Sch. 4 para. 1(b)

C186 S. 20 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1105), reg. 1, Sch. 8 paras. 1(b), 2 (with reg. 88)

C187 S. 20 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1092), reg. 1, Sch. 6 paras. 1(b), 2 (with reg. 3)

C188 S. 20 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Lifts Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1093), reg. 1, Sch. 8 paras. 1(c), 2 (with regs. 3-5)

C189 S. 20 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1101), reg. 1, Sch. 4 paras. 1, 2 (with reg. 3)

C190 S. 20 applied (with modifications) (21.4.2018) by The Gas Appliances (Enforcement) and Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/389), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 (with reg. 2)

C191 S. 20 applied (with modifications) (21.4.2018) by The Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/390), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 (with reg. 2(1)-(3))

21 Improvement notices. U.K.

If an inspector is of the opinion that a person—

(a) is contravening one or more of the relevant statutory provisions; or

(b) has contravened one or more of those provisions in circumstances that make it likely that the contravention will continue or be repeated,

he may serve on him a notice (in this Part referred to as “an improvement notice”) stating that he is of that opinion, specifying the provision or provisions as to which he is of that opinion, giving particulars of the reasons why he is of that opinion, and requiring that person to remedy the contravention or, as the case may be, the matters occasioning it within such period (ending not earlier than the period within which an appeal against the notice can be brought under section 24) as may be specified in the notice.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C36 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))

C116 Ss. 16-26 applied (E.W.S.) (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))

C117 Ss. 16-21 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)(a) (with reg. 3(2))

C118 Ss. 16-22 applied (E.W.S.) (19.7.2015) by The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/398), regs. 1, 36(1)(a) (with reg. 4(2), Sch. 14)

C129 Ss. 18-26 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)

C130 Ss. 18-28 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)31)

C131 Ss. 18-21 applied (E.W.S.) (19.7.2015) by The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/398), regs. 1, 36(8)(a) (with reg. 4(2), Sch. 14)

C157 Ss. 19-28 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

C159 Ss. 19-28 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))

C167 Ss. 19-22 applied (with modifications) (30.7.2018) by The Cableway Installations Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/816), regs. 1, 21(1)-(3) (with reg. 4)

C192 S. 21applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2-10

S. 21 extended (E.W.S.) (1.10.1996) by S.I. 1996/1513, reg. 10

S. 21 excluded (with saving) (E.W.S.) (1.12.1997) by S.I. 1997/1840, regs. 7, 9

S. 21 applied (with modifications) (9.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3260, reg. 17(3)(5)

S. 21: power to apply conferred (E.W.S.) (28.8.1995) by 1995 c. 15, ss. 2(4)(c), 5 (with s. 3(5))

S. 21 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (16.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/772, reg. 17

S. 21 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.3.1996) by S.I. 1996/192, reg. 15, Sch. 14 para. 1(b) S. 21 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.7.1997) by S.I. 1997/831, reg. 19(1)-(4), Sch. 15 para. 1(a)(b)

S. 21 applied (15.11.2000) by S.I. 2000/2831, reg. 26(1)(a)

C193 S. 21 applied (with modifications) (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/3073, reg. 28, Sch. 6, para. 1(b)

S. 21 applied (with modifications) (9.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3260, reg. 13(1)

C194 S. 21 modified (6.4.1992) by S.I.1992/711, reg. 28(3)(b)(5)(a)

S. 21 modified (E.W.S.) (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 30(4) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3

C195 S. 21 extended (with modifications) (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/743, reg. 20(1)-(3)

S. 21 applied (E.W.S.) (20.9.2001) by S.I. 2001/2975, reg. 19(a)

S. 21 applied (E.W.S.) (24.7.2002) by S.I. 2002/1689, reg. 14(1)(a)

S. 21 applied (31.3.2002) by S.I. 2002/528, reg. 10

S. 21 applied (16.5.2002) by S.I. 2002/1166, reg. 31 (with art. 37)

C196 S. 21 applied (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/743, reg. 20(5)

C197 S. 21 applied (with modifications) (19.11.1999) by S.I. 1999/2892, reg. 16(1)

C198 S. 21 applied (with modifications) (29.11.1999) by S.I. 1999/2001, reg. 24(1), Sch. 8 para. 1(b)

C199 S. 21 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))

C200 S. 19-22 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (3.5.2004) by S.I. 2004/129, reg. 23(3)(a) ; s. 21 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (9.6.2004) by S.I. 2004/1309, reg. 17; ss. 19-22 applied (2.4.2006) by S.I. 2006/397, reg. 34

C201 S. 21 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)(b) (subject to (4)-(6)) (with art. 7)

C202 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))

C203 S. 21 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)(b)

C204 S. 21 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)(b)

C205 Ss. 19-28 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}

C206 S. 21 applied (with modifications) (16.1.2012) by The Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/3066), regs. 1(2), 39(2)(3)(b) (with reg. 3)

C207 S. 21 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)31)

C208 S. 21 applied (with modifications) (17.8.2015) by The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1553), reg. 1, Sch. 8 paras. 1(d), 2

C209 S. 21 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (8.12.2016) by The Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1107), reg. 1(1), Sch. 4 para. 1(c)

C210 S. 21 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1105), reg. 1, Sch. 8 paras. 1(c), 2 (with reg. 88)

C211 S. 21 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1101), reg. 1, Sch. 4 paras. 1, 2 (with reg. 3)

C212 S. 21 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Lifts Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1093), reg. 1, Sch. 8 paras. 1(d), 2 (with regs. 3-5)

C213 S. 21 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1092), reg. 1, Sch. 6 paras. 1(c), 2 (with reg. 3)

C214 S. 21 applied (with modifications) (21.4.2018) by The Gas Appliances (Enforcement) and Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/389), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 (with reg. 2)

C215 S. 21 applied (with modifications) (21.4.2018) by The Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/390), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 (with reg. 2(1)-(3))

22 Prohibition notices. U.K.

(1) This section applies to any activities which are being or are [F96 likely] to be carried on by or under the control of any person, being activities to or in relation to which any of the relevant statutory provisions apply or will, if the activities are so carried on, apply.

(2) If as regards any activities to which this section applies an inspector is of the opinion that, as carried on or [F96 likely] to be carried on by or under the control of the person in question, the activities involve or, as the case may be, will involve a risk of serious personal injury, the inspector may serve on that person a notice (in this Part referred to as “a prohibition notice”).

(3) A prohibition notice shall—

(a) state that the inspector is of the said opinion;

(b) specify the matters which in his opinion give or, as the case may be, will give rise to the said risk;

(c) where in his opinion any of those matters involves or, as the case may be, will involve a contravention of any of the relevant statutory provisions, state that he is of that opinion, specify the provision or provisions as to which he is of that opinion, and give particulars of the reasons why he is of that opinion; and

(d) direct that the activities to which the notice relates shall not be carried on by or under the control of the person on whom the notice is served unless the matters specified in the notice in pursuance of paragraph (b) above and any associated contraventions of provisions so specified in pursuance of paragraph (c) above have been remedied.

[F97 (4) A direction contained in a prohibition notice in pursuance of subsection (3)(d) above shall take effect—

(a) at the end of the period specified in the notice; or

(b) if the notice so declares, immediately.]

Textual Amendments

F96 Word substituted by Consumer Protection Act 1987 (c. 43, SIF 109:1), s. 36, Sch. 3 para. 2(a)

F97 S. 22(4) substituted by Consumer Protection Act 1987 (c. 43, SIF 109:1), s. 36, Sch. 3 para. 2(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C36 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))

C116 Ss. 16-26 applied (E.W.S.) (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))

C118 Ss. 16-22 applied (E.W.S.) (19.7.2015) by The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/398), regs. 1, 36(1)(a) (with reg. 4(2), Sch. 14)

C129 Ss. 18-26 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)

C130 Ss. 18-28 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)31)

C157 Ss. 19-28 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

C159 Ss. 19-28 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))

C167 Ss. 19-22 applied (with modifications) (30.7.2018) by The Cableway Installations Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/816), regs. 1, 21(1)-(3) (with reg. 4)

C216 S. 22 applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2-10

S. 22 excluded (with saving) (E.W.S.) (1.12.1997) by S.I. 1997/1840, regs. 7, 9

S. 22 applied (with modifications) (9.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3260, reg. 17(3)(5)

S. 22: power to apply conferred (E.W.S.) (28.8.1995) by 1995 c. 15, ss. 2(4)(c), 5 (with s. 3(5))

S. 22 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (16.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/772, reg. 17

S. 22 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.3.1996) by S.I. 1996/192, reg. 15, Sch. 14 para. 1(b) S. 22 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.7.1997) by S.I. 1997/831, reg. 19(1)-(4), Sch. 15 para. 1(a)(b)

S. 22 applied (15.11.2000) by S.I. 2000/2831, reg. 26(1)(a)

C217 S. 22 applied (with modifications) (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/3073, reg. 28, Sch. 6 para. 1(b)

S. 21 applied (with modifications) (9.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3260, reg. 13(1)

C218 S. 22 modified (6.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/711, regs. 1(2), 28(3)(b)(5)(a)

S. 22 modified (E.W.S.) (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 30(4) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3

S. 22 applied (E.W.S.) (24.7.2002) by S.I. 2002/1689, reg. 14(1)(a)

S. 22 applied (31.3.2002) by S.I. 2002/528, reg. 10

S. 22 applied (16.5.2002) by S.I. 2002/1166, reg. 31 (with art. 37)

C219 S. 22 applied (with modifications) (19.11.1999) by S.I. 1999/2892, reg. 16(1)

C220 S. 22 applied (with modifications) (29.11.1999) by S.I. 1999/2001, reg. 24(1), Sch. 8 para. 1(b)

C221 S. 22 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))

C222 S. 19-22 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (3.5.2004) by S.I. 2004/129, reg. 23(3)(a); s. 22 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (9.6.2004) by S.I. 2004/1309, reg. 17; ss. 19-22 applied (2.4.2006) by S.I. 2006/397, reg. 34

C223 S. 22 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)(b) (subject to (4)-(6)) (with art. 7)

C224 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))

C225 S. 22 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)(b)

C226 S. 22 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)(b)

C227 Ss. 19-28 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}

C228 S. 22 applied (with modifications) (16.1.2012) by The Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/3066), regs. 1(2), 39(2)(3)(b) (with reg. 3)

C229 S. 22 applied (E.W.S.) (19.7.2015) by The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/398), regs. 1, 36(7) (with reg. 4(2), Sch. 14)

C230 S. 22 applied (with modifications) (17.8.2015) by The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1553), reg. 1, Sch. 8 paras. 1(e), 2

C231 S. 22 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1092), reg. 1, Sch. 6 paras. 1(d), 2 (with reg. 3)

C232 S. 22 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1101), reg. 1, Sch. 4 paras. 1, 2 (with reg. 3)

C233 S. 22 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1105), reg. 1, Sch. 8 paras. 1(d), 2 (with reg. 88)

C234 S. 22 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (8.12.2016) by The Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1107), reg. 1(1), Sch. 4 para. 1(d)

C235 S. 22 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Lifts Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1093), reg. 1, Sch. 8 paras. 1(e), 2 (with regs. 3-5)

C236 S. 22 applied (with modifications) (21.4.2018) by The Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/390), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 (with reg. 2(1)-(3))

C237 S. 22 applied (with modifications) (21.4.2018) by The Gas Appliances (Enforcement) and Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/389), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 (with reg. 2)

23 Provisions supplementary to ss. 21 and 22. E+W

(1) In this section “a notice” means an improvement notice or a prohibition notice.

(2) A notice may (but need not) include directions as to the measures to be taken to remedy any contravention or matter to which the notice relates; and any such directions—

(a) may be framed to any extent by reference to any approved code of practice; and

(b) may be framed so as to afford the person on whom the notice is served a choice between different ways of remedying the contravention or matter.

(3) Where any of the relevant statutory provisions applies to a building or any matter connected with a building and an inspector proposes to serve an improvement notice relating to a contravention of that provision in connection with that building or matter, the notice shall not direct any measures to be taken to remedy the contravention of that provision which are more onerous than those necessary to secure conformity with the requirements of any building regulations for the time being in force to which that building or matter would be required to conform if the relevant building were being newly erected unless the provision in question imposes specific requirements more onerous than the requirements of any such building regulations to which the building or matter would be required to conform as aforesaid.

In this subsection “the relevant building”, in the case of a building, means that building, and, in the case of a matter connected with a building, means the building with which the matter is connected.

(4) Before an inspector serves in connection with any premises used or about to be used as a place of work a notice requiring or likely to lead to the taking of measures affecting the means of escape in case of fire with which the premises are or ought to be provided, he shall consult the [F98 fire and rescue authority] .

In this subsection [F98 fire and rescue authority][F99 , in relation to premises, means—

(a) where the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to the premises, the enforcing authority within the meaning given by article 25 of that Order;

(b) in any other case, the fire and rescue authority under the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 for the area where the premises are (or are to be) situated.]

(5) Where an improvement notice or a prohibition notice which is not to take immediate effect has been served—

(a) the notice may be withdrawn by an inspector at any time before the end of the period specified therein in pursuance of section 21 or section 22(4) as the case may be; and

(b) the period so specified may be extended or further extended by an inspector at any time when an appeal against the notice is not pending.

(6) In the application of this section to Scotland—

(a) in subsection (3) for the words from “with the requirements” to “aforesaid” there shall be substituted the words—

“(a) to any provisions of the building standards regulations to which that building or matter would be required to conform if the relevant building were being newly erected; or

(b) where the sheriff, on an appeal to him under section 16 of the Building (Scotland) Act 1959—

(i) against an order under section 10 of that Act requiring the execution of operations necessary to make the building or matter conform to the building standards regulations, or

(ii) against an order under section 11 of that Act requiring the building or matter to conform to a provision of such regulations,

has varied the order, to any provisions of the building standards regulations referred to in paragraph (a) above as affected by the order as so varied,

unless the relevant statutory provision imposes specific requirements more onerous than the requirements of any provisions of building standards regulations as aforesaid or, as the case may be, than the requirements of the order as varied by the sheriff. ”;

(b) after subsection (5) there shall be inserted the following subsection—

“(5A) In subsection (3) above ”building standards regulations’ has the same meaning as in section 3 of the Building (Scotland) Act 1959.”.

Extent Information

E5 This version of this provision extends to England Wales only; separate versions have been created for Northern Ireland only and Scotland only

Textual Amendments

F98 Words in s. 23(4) substituted (E.W.) (1.10.2004 for E. and 10.11.2004 for W.) by Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 (c. 21), s. 53, Sch. 1 para. 44; S.I. 2004/2304, art. 2, (with art. 3); S.I. 2004/2917, art. 2

F99 S. 23(4)(a)(b) and preceding words substituted (E.W.) (1.10.2006) for words by The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1541), art. 53(1), Sch. 2 para. 9 (with art. 49) (as amended by The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Subordinate Provisions Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/484), arts. 1(1), 2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C36 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))

C116 Ss. 16-26 applied (E.W.S.) (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))

C129 Ss. 18-26 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)

C130 Ss. 18-28 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)31)

C157 Ss. 19-28 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

C159 Ss. 19-28 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))

C238 S. 23 applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2-10

S. 23 excluded (with saving) (E.W.S.) (1.12.1997) by S.I. 1997/1840, regs. 7, 9 S. 23 extended (E.W.S.) (1.10.1996) by S.I. 1996/1513, reg. 10

S. 23: power to apply conferred (E.W.S.) (28.8.1995) by 1995 c. 15, ss. 2(4)(c), 5 (with s. 3(5))

S. 23 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (16.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/772, reg. 17

S. 23 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.3.1996) by S.I. 1996/192, reg. 15, Sch. 14 para. 1(b)

S. 23 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.7.1997) by S.I. 1997/831, reg. 19(1)-(4), Sch. 15 para. 1(a)(b) Ss. 23 applied (15.11.2000) by S.I. 2000/2831, reg. 26(1)(a)

Ss. 23 applied (E.W.S.) (24.7.2002) by S.I. 2002/1689, reg. 14(1)(a)

S. 23 applied (31.3.2002) by S.I. 2002/528, reg. 10

S. 23 applied (16.5.2002) by S.I. 2002/1166, reg. 31 (with art. 37)

C239 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (1.1.1993) by S.I.1992/3073, reg. 28, Sch. 6 para. 1(b)

C240 Ss. 19-28 modified (6.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/711, regs. 1(2), 28(3)(b)(5)(a)

S. 23 modified (E.W.S.) (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 30(4) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3

C241 S. 23 extended (with modifications) (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/743, reg. 20(1)(b), (2)(3)

C242 Ss. 23 extended (19.11.1999) by S.I. 1999/2892, reg. 16(1)

C243 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (29.11.1999) by S.I. 1999/2001, reg. 24(1), Sch. 8 para. 1(b)

C244 S. 23 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))

C245 S. 23 applied (E.W.S.) (20.9.2001) by S.I. 2001/2975, reg. 19(b)

C246 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (3.5.2004) by The Cableway Installations Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/129), reg. 23(3)(b)

C247 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (9.6.2004) by S.I. 2004/1309, reg. 17; s. 23 applied (E.W.S) (2.4.2006) by S.I. 2006/397, reg. 34

C248 S. 23 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)(c) (subject to (4)-(6)) (with art. 7)

C249 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))

C250 S. 23 applied in part (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)(c)

C251 S. 23 applied in part (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)(c)

C252 Ss. 19-28 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}

C253 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (16.1.2012) by The Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/3066), regs. 1(2), 39(2)(3)(c) (with reg. 3)

C254 Ss. 23, 24 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)31)

C255 S. 23 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)(b) (with regs. 3(2), 27(3))

C256 S. 23 applied (19.7.2015) by The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/398), regs. 1, 36(8)(b) (with reg. 4(2), Sch. 14)

C257 S. 23 applied (19.7.2015) by The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/398), regs. 1, 36(1)(b) (with reg. 4(2), Sch. 14)

C258 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (17.8.2015) by The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1553), reg. 1, Sch. 8 paras. 1(f), 2

C259 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1092), reg. 1, Sch. 6 paras. 1(e), 2 (with reg. 3)

C260 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (8.12.2016) by The Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1107), reg. 1(1), Sch. 4 para. 1(e)

C261 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Lifts Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1093), reg. 1, Sch. 8 paras. 1(f), 2 (with regs. 3-5)

C262 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1101), reg. 1, Sch. 4 paras. 1, 2 (with reg. 3)

C263 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1105), reg. 1, Sch. 8 paras. 1(e), 2 (with reg. 88)

C264 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (21.4.2018) by The Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/390), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 (with reg. 2(1)-(3))

C265 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (21.4.2018) by The Gas Appliances (Enforcement) and Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/389), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 (with reg. 2)

C266 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (30.7.2018) by The Cableway Installations Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/816), regs. 1, 21(1)-(3) (with reg. 4)

C267 S. 23(1) applied (with modifications) (9.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3260, reg. 17(3)(5)

C268 S. 23(2) applied (with modifications) (9.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3260, reg. 17(3)(5)

C269 S. 23(4) applied (with modifications) (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/743, reg. 20(5)

C270 S. 23(5) applied (with modifications) (9.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3260, reg. 17(3)(5)

23 Provisions supplementary to ss. 21 and 22. N.I.

(1) In this section “a notice” means an improvement notice or a prohibition notice.

(2) A notice may (but need not) include directions as to the measures to be taken to remedy any contravention or matter to which the notice relates; and any such directions—

(a) may be framed to any extent by reference to any approved code of practice; and

(b) may be framed so as to afford the person on whom the notice is served a choice between different ways of remedying the contravention or matter.

(3) Where any of the relevant statutory provisions applies to a building or any matter connected with a building and an inspector proposes to serve an improvement notice relating to a contravention of that provision in connection with that building or matter, the notice shall not direct any measures to be taken to remedy the contravention of that provision which are more onerous than those necessary to secure conformity with the requirements of any building regulations for the time being in force to which that building or matter would be required to conform if the relevant building were being newly erected unless the provision in question imposes specific requirements more onerous than the requirements of any such building regulations to which the building or matter would be required to conform as aforesaid.

In this subsection “the relevant building”, in the case of a building, means that building, and, in the case of a matter connected with a building, means the building with which the matter is connected.

(4) Before an inspector serves in connection with any premises used or about to be used as a place of work a notice requiring or likely to lead to the taking of measures affecting the means of escape in case of fire with which the premises are or ought to be provided, he shall consult the fire authority.

In this subsection “fire authority” has the meaning assigned by section 43(1) of the M31 Fire Precautions Act 1971.

(5) Where an improvement notice or a prohibition notice which is not to take immediate effect has been served—

(a) the notice may be withdrawn by an inspector at any time before the end of the period specified therein in pursuance of section 21 or section 22(4) as the case may be; and

(b) the period so specified may be extended or further extended by an inspector at any time when an appeal against the notice is not pending.

(6) In the application of this section to Scotland—

(a) in subsection (3) for the words from “with the requirements” to “aforesaid” there shall be substituted the words—

“(a) to any provisions of the building standards regulations to which that building or matter would be required to conform if the relevant building were being newly erected; or

(b) where the sheriff, on an appeal to him under section 16 of the Building (Scotland) Act 1959—

(i) against an order under section 10 of that Act requiring the execution of operations necessary to make the building or matter conform to the building standards regulations, or

(ii) against an order under section 11 of that Act requiring the building or matter to conform to a provision of such regulations,

has varied the order, to any provisions of the building standards regulations referred to in paragraph (a) above as affected by the order as so varied,

unless the relevant statutory provision imposes specific requirements more onerous than the requirements of any provisions of building standards regulations as aforesaid or, as the case may be, than the requirements of the order as varied by the sheriff. ”;

(b) after subsection (5) there shall be inserted the following subsection—

“(5A) In subsection (3) above ”building standards regulations’ has the same meaning as in section 3 of the Building (Scotland) Act 1959.”.

Extent Information

E12 This version of this provision extends to Northern Ireland only; separate versions have been created for England and Wales and Scotland only

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C36 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))

C130 Ss. 18-28 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)31)

C159 Ss. 19-28 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))

C241 S. 23 extended (with modifications) (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/743, reg. 20(1)(b), (2)(3)

C246 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (3.5.2004) by The Cableway Installations Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/129), reg. 23(3)(b)

C247 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (9.6.2004) by S.I. 2004/1309, reg. 17; s. 23 applied (E.W.S) (2.4.2006) by S.I. 2006/397, reg. 34

C249 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))

C253 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (16.1.2012) by The Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/3066), regs. 1(2), 39(2)(3)(c) (with reg. 3)

C254 Ss. 23, 24 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)31)

C255 S. 23 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)(b) (with regs. 3(2), 27(3))

C256 S. 23 applied (19.7.2015) by The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/398), regs. 1, 36(8)(b) (with reg. 4(2), Sch. 14)

C257 S. 23 applied (19.7.2015) by The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/398), regs. 1, 36(1)(b) (with reg. 4(2), Sch. 14)

C258 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (17.8.2015) by The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1553), reg. 1, Sch. 8 paras. 1(f), 2

C259 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1092), reg. 1, Sch. 6 paras. 1(e), 2 (with reg. 3)

C261 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Lifts Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1093), reg. 1, Sch. 8 paras. 1(f), 2 (with regs. 3-5)

C262 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1101), reg. 1, Sch. 4 paras. 1, 2 (with reg. 3)

C263 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1105), reg. 1, Sch. 8 paras. 1(e), 2 (with reg. 88)

C264 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (21.4.2018) by The Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/390), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 (with reg. 2(1)-(3))

C265 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (21.4.2018) by The Gas Appliances (Enforcement) and Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/389), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 (with reg. 2)

C266 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (30.7.2018) by The Cableway Installations Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/816), regs. 1, 21(1)-(3) (with reg. 4)

C269 S. 23(4) applied (with modifications) (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/743, reg. 20(5)

C832 S. 23 applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2-10

S. 23 excluded (with saving) (E.W.S.) (1.12.1997) by S.I. 1997/1840, regs. 7, 9

S. 23 extended (E.W.S.) (1.10.1996) by S.I. 1996/1513, reg. 10

S. 23: power to apply conferred (E.W.S.) (28.8.1995) by 1995 c. 15, ss. 2(4)(c), 5 (with s. 3(5))

S. 23 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (16.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/772, reg. 17

S. 23 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.3.1996) by S.I. 1996/192, reg. 15, Sch. 14 para. 1(b)

S. 23 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.7.1997) by S.I. 1997/831, reg. 19(1)-(4), Sch. 15 para. 1(a)(b)

S. 23 applied (15.11.2000) by S.I. 2000/2831, reg. 26(1)(a)

S. 23 applied (E.W.S.) (24.7.2002) by S.I. 2002/1689, reg. 14(1)(a)

S. 23 applied (31.3.2002) by S.I. 2002/528, reg. 10

S. 23 applied (16.5.2002) by S.I. 2002/1166, reg. 31 (with art. 37)

C833 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (1.1.1993) by S.I.1992/3073, reg. 28, Sch. 6 para. 1(b)

C834 Ss. 19-28 modified (6.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/711, regs. 1(2), 28(3)(b)(5)(a)

S. 23 modified (E.W.S.) (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 30(4) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3

C835 S. 23 extended (19.11.1999) by S.I. 1999/2892, reg. 16(1)

C836 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (29.11.1999) by S.I. 1999/2001, reg. 24(1), Sch. 8 para. 1(b)

C837 S. 23 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))

C838 S. 23 applied (E.W.S.) (20.9.2001) by S.I. 2001/2975, reg. 19(b)

C839 S. 23(1) applied (with modifications) (9.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3260, reg. 17(3)(5)

C840 S. 23(2) applied (with modifications) (9.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3260, reg. 17(3)(5)

C841 S. 23(5) applied (with modifications) (9.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3260, reg. 17(3)(5)

Marginal Citations

M31 1971 c. 40.

23 Provisions supplementary to ss. 21 and 22. S

(1) In this section “a notice” means an improvement notice or a prohibition notice.

(2) A notice may (but need not) include directions as to the measures to be taken to remedy any contravention or matter to which the notice relates; and any such directions—

(a) may be framed to any extent by reference to any approved code of practice; and

(b) may be framed so as to afford the person on whom the notice is served a choice between different ways of remedying the contravention or matter.

(3) Where any of the relevant statutory provisions applies to a building or any matter connected with a building and an inspector proposes to serve an improvement notice relating to a contravention of that provision in connection with that building or matter, the notice shall not direct any measures to be taken to remedy the contravention of that provision which are more onerous than those necessary to secure conformity with the requirements of any building regulations for the time being in force to which that building or matter would be required to conform if the relevant building were being newly erected unless the provision in question imposes specific requirements more onerous than the requirements of any such building regulations to which the building or matter would be required to conform as aforesaid.

In this subsection “the relevant building”, in the case of a building, means that building, and, in the case of a matter connected with a building, means the building with which the matter is connected.

(4) Before an inspector serves in connection with any premises used or about to be used as a place of work a notice requiring or likely to lead to the taking of measures affecting the means of escape in case of fire with which the premises are or ought to be provided, he shall consult

[F348 (a) where Part 3 of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 (asp 5) applies in relation to the premises, the enforcing authority (as defined in section 61(9) of that Act);

(b) in any other case, the[F349 Scottish Fire and Rescue Service].]

(5) Where an improvement notice or a prohibition notice which is not to take immediate effect has been served—

(a) the notice may be withdrawn by an inspector at any time before the end of the period specified therein in pursuance of section 21 or section 22(4) as the case may be; and

(b) the period so specified may be extended or further extended by an inspector at any time when an appeal against the notice is not pending.

(6) In the application of this section to Scotland—

(a) in subsection (3) for the words from “with the requirements” to “aforesaid” there shall be substituted the words—

“(a) to any provisions of the building standards regulations to which that building or matter would be required to conform if the relevant building were being newly erected; or

(b) where the sheriff, on an appeal to him under section 16 of the Building (Scotland) Act 1959—

(i) against an order under section 10 of that Act requiring the execution of operations necessary to make the building or matter conform to the building standards regulations, or

(ii) against an order under section 11 of that Act requiring the building or matter to conform to a provision of such regulations,

has varied the order, to any provisions of the building standards regulations referred to in paragraph (a) above as affected by the order as so varied,

unless the relevant statutory provision imposes specific requirements more onerous than the requirements of any provisions of building standards regulations as aforesaid or, as the case may be, than the requirements of the order as varied by the sheriff. ”;

(b) after subsection (5) there shall be inserted the following subsection—

“(5A) In subsection (3) above ”building standards regulations’ has the same meaning as in section 3 of the Building (Scotland) Act 1959.”.

Extent Information

E13 This version of this provision extends to Scotland only; separate versions have been created for England and Wales only and Northern Ireland only

Textual Amendments

F348 By The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 (Consequential Modifications and Savings) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/475), art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 6 it is provided (1.10.2006) that in s. 23(4) for the words from "the authority" to the end there is substituted (S.) s. 23(4)(a)(b)

F349 Words in s. 23(4)(b) substituted (S.) (1.4.2013) by Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (asp 8), s. 129(2), Sch. 7 para. 49; S.S.I. 2013/51, art. 2 (with transitional provisions and savings in S.S.I. 2013/121)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C36 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))

C116 Ss. 16-26 applied (E.W.S.) (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))

C129 Ss. 18-26 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)

C130 Ss. 18-28 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)31)

C157 Ss. 19-28 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

C159 Ss. 19-28 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))

C238 S. 23 applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2-10

S. 23 excluded (with saving) (E.W.S.) (1.12.1997) by S.I. 1997/1840, regs. 7, 9 S. 23 extended (E.W.S.) (1.10.1996) by S.I. 1996/1513, reg. 10

S. 23: power to apply conferred (E.W.S.) (28.8.1995) by 1995 c. 15, ss. 2(4)(c), 5 (with s. 3(5))

S. 23 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (16.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/772, reg. 17

S. 23 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.3.1996) by S.I. 1996/192, reg. 15, Sch. 14 para. 1(b)

S. 23 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.7.1997) by S.I. 1997/831, reg. 19(1)-(4), Sch. 15 para. 1(a)(b) Ss. 23 applied (15.11.2000) by S.I. 2000/2831, reg. 26(1)(a)

Ss. 23 applied (E.W.S.) (24.7.2002) by S.I. 2002/1689, reg. 14(1)(a)

S. 23 applied (31.3.2002) by S.I. 2002/528, reg. 10

S. 23 applied (16.5.2002) by S.I. 2002/1166, reg. 31 (with art. 37)

C241 S. 23 extended (with modifications) (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/743, reg. 20(1)(b), (2)(3)

C242 Ss. 23 extended (19.11.1999) by S.I. 1999/2892, reg. 16(1)

C244 S. 23 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))

C245 S. 23 applied (E.W.S.) (20.9.2001) by S.I. 2001/2975, reg. 19(b)

C246 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (3.5.2004) by The Cableway Installations Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/129), reg. 23(3)(b)

C247 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (9.6.2004) by S.I. 2004/1309, reg. 17; s. 23 applied (E.W.S) (2.4.2006) by S.I. 2006/397, reg. 34

C249 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))

C250 S. 23 applied in part (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)(c)

C253 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (16.1.2012) by The Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/3066), regs. 1(2), 39(2)(3)(c) (with reg. 3)

C254 Ss. 23, 24 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)31)

C255 S. 23 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)(b) (with regs. 3(2), 27(3))

C256 S. 23 applied (19.7.2015) by The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/398), regs. 1, 36(8)(b) (with reg. 4(2), Sch. 14)

C257 S. 23 applied (19.7.2015) by The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/398), regs. 1, 36(1)(b) (with reg. 4(2), Sch. 14)

C258 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (17.8.2015) by The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1553), reg. 1, Sch. 8 paras. 1(f), 2

C259 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1092), reg. 1, Sch. 6 paras. 1(e), 2 (with reg. 3)

C260 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (8.12.2016) by The Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1107), reg. 1(1), Sch. 4 para. 1(e)

C261 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Lifts Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1093), reg. 1, Sch. 8 paras. 1(f), 2 (with regs. 3-5)

C262 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1101), reg. 1, Sch. 4 paras. 1, 2 (with reg. 3)

C263 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1105), reg. 1, Sch. 8 paras. 1(e), 2 (with reg. 88)

C264 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (21.4.2018) by The Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/390), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 (with reg. 2(1)-(3))

C265 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (21.4.2018) by The Gas Appliances (Enforcement) and Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/389), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 (with reg. 2)

C266 S. 23 applied (with modifications) (30.7.2018) by The Cableway Installations Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/816), regs. 1, 21(1)-(3) (with reg. 4)

C269 S. 23(4) applied (with modifications) (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/743, reg. 20(5)

C842 S. 23 applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2-10

S. 23 excluded (with saving) (E.W.S.) (1.12.1997) by S.I. 1997/1840, regs. 7, 9

S. 23 extended (E.W.S.) (1.10.1996) by S.I. 1996/1513, reg. 10

S. 23: power to apply conferred (E.W.S.) (28.8.1995) by 1995 c. 15, ss. 2(4)(c), 5 (with s. 3(5))

S. 23 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (16.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/772, reg. 17

S. 23 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.3.1996) by S.I. 1996/192, reg. 15, Sch. 14 para. 1(b)

S. 23 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.7.1997) by S.I. 1997/831, reg. 19(1)-(4), Sch. 15 para. 1(a)(b)

S. 23 applied (15.11.2000) by S.I. 2000/2831, reg. 26(1)(a)

S. 23 applied (E.W.S.) (24.7.2002) by S.I. 2002/1689, reg. 14(1)(a)

S. 23 applied (31.3.2002) by S.I. 2002/528, reg. 10

S. 23 applied (16.5.2002) by S.I. 2002/1166, reg. 31 (with art. 37

C843 Ss. 19-28 applied (with modifications) (1.1.1993) by S.I.1992/3073, reg. 28, Sch. 6 para. 1(b)

C844 Ss. 19-28 modified (6.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/711, regs. 1(2), 28(3)(b)(5)(a)

Ss. 21-23 modified (E.W.S.) (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 30(4) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3

C845 Ss. 19-28 applied (with modifications) (29.11.1999) by S.I. 1999/2001, reg. 24(1), Sch. 8 para. 1(b)

C846 S. 23 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)(c) (subject to (4)-(6)) (with art. 7)

C847 S. 23 applied in part (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)(c)

C848 Ss. 19-28 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}

C849 S. 23(1) applied (with modifications) (9.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3260, reg. 17(3)(5)

C850 S. 23(2) applied (with modifications) (9.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3260, reg. 17(3)(5)

C851 S. 23(5) applied (with modifications) (9.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3260, reg. 17(3)(5)

24 Appeal against improvement or prohibition notice. U.K.

(1) In this section “a notice” means an improvement notice or a prohibition notice.

(2) A person on whom a notice is served may within such period from the date of its service as may be prescribed appeal to an [F100 employment tribunal]; and on such an appeal the tribunal may either cancel or affirm the notice and, if it affirms it, may do so either in its original form or with such modifications as the tribunal may in the circumstances think fit.

(3) Where an appeal under this section is brought against a notice within the period allowed under the preceding subsection, then—

(a) in the case of an improvement notice, the bringing of the appeal shall have the effect of suspending the operation of the notice until the appeal is finally disposed of or, if the appeal is withdrawn, until the withdrawal of the appeal;

(b) in the case of a prohibition notice, the bringing of the appeal shall have the like effect if, but only if, on the application of the appellant the tribunal so directs (and then only from the giving of the direction).

(4) One or more assessors may be appointed for the purposes of any proceedings brought before an [F100 employment tribunal] under this section.

Textual Amendments

F100 Words in s. 24(2)(4) substituted (1.8.1998) by 1998 c. 8, s. 1(2)(a) (with s. 16(2)); S.I. 1998/1658, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C36 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))

C116 Ss. 16-26 applied (E.W.S.) (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))

C129 Ss. 18-26 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)

C130 Ss. 18-28 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)31)

C157 Ss. 19-28 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

C159 Ss. 19-28 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))

C254 Ss. 23, 24 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)31)

C271 S. 24 applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2-10

S. 24 excluded (with saving) (E.W.S.) (1.12.1997) by S.I. 1997/1840, regs. 7, 9

S. 24 extended (E.W.S.) (1.10.1996) by S.I. 1996/1513, reg. 10

S. 24 applied (with modifications) (9.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3260, reg. 17(3)(5)

S. 24: power to apply conferred (E.W.S.) (28.8.1995) by 1995 c. 15, ss. 2(4)(c), 5 (with s. 3(5))

S. 24 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (16.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/772, reg. 17

S. 24 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.3.1996) by S.I. 1996/192, reg. 15, Sch. 14 para. 1(b)

S. 24 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.7.1997) by S.I. 1997/831, reg. 19(1)-(4), Sch. 15 para. 1(a)(b) S. 24 applied (15.11.2000) by S.I. 2000/2831, reg. 26(1)(a)

S. 24 applied (E.W.S.) (24.7.2002) by S.I. 2002/1689, reg. 14(1)(a)

S. 24 applied (31.3.2002) by S.I. 2002/528, reg. 10

S. 24 applied (16.5.2002) by S.I. 2002/1166, reg. 31 (with art. 37)

C272 S. 24 applied (with modifications) (1.1.1993) by S.I.1992/3073, reg. 28, Sch. 6 para. 1(b)

C273 S. 24 modified (6.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/711, regs. 1(2), 28(3)(b)(5)(a)

C274 S. 24 applied (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/743, reg. 18(6)

C275 S. 24 excluded (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/743, reg. 22(6)(c)

C276 S. 24 applied (with modifications) (19.11.1999) by S.I. 1999/2892, reg. 16(1)

C277 S. 24 applied (with modifications) (29.11.1999) by S.I. 1999/2001, reg. 24(1), Sch. 8 para. 1(b)

C278 S. 24 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))

C279 S. 24 applied (E.W.S.) (20.9.2001) by S.I. 2001/2975, reg. 19(b)

C280 S. 24 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (3.5.2004) by S.I. 2004/129, reg. 23(3)(b); s. 24 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (9.6.2004) by S.I. 2004/1309, reg. 17; s. 24 applied (2.4.2006) by S.I. 2006/397, reg. 34

C281 S. 24 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)(d) (subject to (4)-(6)) (with art. 7)

C282 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))

C283 S. 24 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)(d)

C284 S. 24 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)(d)

C285 Ss. 19-28 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}

C286 S. 24 applied (with modifications) (16.1.2012) by The Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/3066), regs. 1(2), 39(2)(3)(d) (with reg. 3)

C287 S. 24 applied (E.W.S.) (1.6.2015) by The Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/483), regs. 1(1), 23(6) (with reg. 3(2))

C288 S. 24 applied (19.7.2015) by The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/398), regs. 1, 36(1)(b) (with reg. 4(2), Sch. 14)

C289 S. 24 applied (with modifications) (17.8.2015) by The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1553), reg. 1, Sch. 8 paras. 1(g), 2

C290 S. 24 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Lifts Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1093), reg. 1, Sch. 8 paras. 1(g), 2 (with regs. 3-5)

C291 S. 24 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1101), reg. 1, Sch. 4 paras. 1, 2 (with reg. 3)

C292 S. 24 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1092), reg. 1, Sch. 6 paras. 1(f), 2 (with reg. 3)

C293 S. 24 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (8.12.2016) by The Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1107), reg. 1(1), Sch. 4 para. 1(f)

C294 S. 24 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1105), reg. 1, Sch. 8 paras. 1(f), 2 (with reg. 88)

C295 S. 24 applied (with modifications) (21.4.2018) by The Gas Appliances (Enforcement) and Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/389), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 (with reg. 2)

C296 S. 24 applied (with modifications) (21.4.2018) by The Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/390), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 (with reg. 2(1)-(3))

C297 S. 24 applied (with modifications) (30.7.2018) by The Cableway Installations Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/816), regs. 1, 21(1)-(3) (with reg. 4)

25 Power to deal with cause of imminent danger. U.K.

(1) Where, in the case of any article or substance found by him in any premises which he has power to enter, an inspector has reasonable cause to believe that, in the circumstances in which he finds it, the article or substance is a cause of imminent danger of serious personal injury, he may seize it and cause it to be rendered harmless (whether by destruction or otherwise).

(2) Before there is rendered harmless under this section—

(a) any article that forms part of a batch of similar articles; or

(b) any substance,

the inspector shall, if it is practicable for him to do so, take a sample thereof and give to a responsible person at the premises where the article or substance was found by him a portion of the sample marked in a manner sufficient to identify it.

(3) As soon as may be after any article or substance has been seized and rendered harmless under this section, the inspector shall prepare and sign a written report giving particulars of the circumstances in which the article or substance was seized and so dealt with by him, and shall—

(a) give a signed copy of the report to a responsible person at the premises where the article or substance was found by him; and

(b) unless that person is the owner of the article or substance, also serve a signed copy of the report on the owner;

and if, where paragraph (b) above applies, the inspector cannot after reasonable enquiry ascertain the name or address of the owner, the copy may be served on him by giving it to the person to whom a copy was given under the preceding paragraph.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C36 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))

C116 Ss. 16-26 applied (E.W.S.) (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))

C129 Ss. 18-26 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)

C130 Ss. 18-28 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)31)

C157 Ss. 19-28 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

C159 Ss. 19-28 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))

C298 S. 25 applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2-10

S. 25 applied (with modifications) (9.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3260, reg. 17(3)(5)

S. 25: power to apply conferred (E.W.S.) (28.8.1995) by 1995 c. 15, ss. 2(4)(d), 5 (with s. 3(5))

S. 25 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (16.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/772, reg. 17

S. 25 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.3.1996) by S.I. 1996/192, reg. 15, Sch. 14 para. 1(b)

S. 25 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.7.1997) by S.I. 1997/831, reg. 19(1)-(4), Sch. 15 para. 1(a)(b)

S. 25 applied (15.11.2000) by S.I. 2000/2831, reg. 26(1)(a)

S. 25 applied (E.W.S.) (24.7.2002) by S.I. 2002/1689, reg. 14(1)(a)

S. 25 applied (31.3.2002) by S.I. 2002/528, reg. 10

C299 Ss. 19-28 applied (with modifications) (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/3073, reg. 28, Sch. 6 para. 1(b)

C300 S. 25 modified (6.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/711, regs. 1(2), 28(3)(b)(5)(a)

C301 S. 25 applied (with modifications) (19.11.1999) by S.I. 1999/2892, reg. 16(1)

C302 S. 25 applied (with modifications) (29.11.1999) by S.I. 1999/2001, reg. 24(1), Sch. 8 para. 1(b)

C303 S. 25 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))

C304 S. 25 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (9.6.2004) by S.I. 2004/1309, reg. 17

C305 S. 25 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)(e) (subject to (4)-(6)) (with art. 7)

C306 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))

C307 Ss. 19-28 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}

C308 S. 25 applied (with modifications) (17.8.2015) by The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1553), reg. 1, Sch. 8 paras. 1(h), 2

C309 S. 25 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1101), reg. 1, Sch. 4 paras. 1, 2 (with reg. 3)

C310 S. 25 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1105), reg. 1, Sch. 8 paras. 1(g), 2 (with reg. 88)

C311 S. 25 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1092), reg. 1, Sch. 6 paras. 1(g), 2 (with reg. 3)

C312 S. 25 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (8.12.2016) by The Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1107), reg. 1(1), Sch. 4 para. 1(g)

C313 S. 25 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Lifts Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1093), reg. 1, Sch. 8 paras. 1(h), 2 (with regs. 3-5)

C314 S. 25 applied (with modifications) (21.4.2018) by The Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/390), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 (with reg. 2(1)-(3))

C315 S. 25 applied (with modifications) (21.4.2018) by The Gas Appliances (Enforcement) and Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/389), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 (with reg. 2)

[F101 25A Power of customs officer to detain articles and substances. U.K.

(1) A customs officer may, for the purpose of facilitating the exercise or performance by any enforcing authority or inspector of any of the powers or duties of the authority or inspector under any of the relevant statutory provisions, seize any imported article or imported substance and detain it for not more than two working days.

(2) Anything seized and detained under this section shall be dealt with during the period of its detention in such manner as the Commissioners of Customs and Excise may direct.

(3) In subsection (1) above the reference to two working days is a reference to a period of forty-eight hours calculated from the time when the goods in question are seized but disregarding so much of any period as falls on a Saturday or Sunday or on Christmas Day, Good Friday or a day which is a bank holiday under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act M1 1971 in the part of Great Britain where the goods are seized. ]

Textual Amendments

F101 S. 25A inserted by Consumer Protection Act 1987 (c. 43, SIF 109:1), s. 36, Sch. 3 para. 3

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C36 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))

C116 Ss. 16-26 applied (E.W.S.) (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))

C129 Ss. 18-26 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)

C130 Ss. 18-28 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)31)

C157 Ss. 19-28 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

C159 Ss. 19-28 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))

C316 Ss. 19-28 applied (with modifications) (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/3073, reg. 28, Sch. 6 para. 1(b)

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)

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) (E.W.S.) (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)

Ss. 16-26 applied (E.W.S.) (24.7.2002) by S.I. 2002/1689, reg. 14(1)(a)

Ss. 18-26 applied (31.3.2002) by S.I. 2002/528, reg. 10

C317 Ss. 19-28 modified (6.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/711, regs. 1(2), 28(3)(b)(5)(a)

C318 Ss. 18-26 applied (with modifications) (19.11.1999) by S.I. 1999/2892, reg. 16(1)

C319 Ss. 19-28 applied (with modifications) (29.11.1999) by S.I. 1999/2001, reg. 24(1), Sch. 8 para. 1(b)

C320 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))

C321 S. 25A applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (3.5.2004) by S.I. 2004/129, reg. 23(3)(c); s. 25A applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (22.4.2005) by S.I. 2005/928, {reg. 4(2)-(6}

C322 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))

C323 Ss. 19-28 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}

C324 Ss. 25A-28 applied (with modifications) (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)31)

C325 S. 25A applied (with modifications) (17.8.2015) by The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1553), reg. 1, Sch. 8 paras. 1(i), 2

C326 S. 25A applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1092), reg. 1, Sch. 6 paras. 1(h), 2 (with reg. 3)

C327 S. 25A applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1105), reg. 1, Sch. 8 paras. 1(h), 2 (with reg. 88)

C328 S. 25A applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Lifts Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1093), reg. 1, Sch. 8 paras. 1(i), 2 (with regs. 3-5)

C329 S. 25A applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (8.12.2016) by The Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1107), reg. 1(1), Sch. 4 para. 1(h)

C330 S. 25A applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1101), reg. 1, Sch. 4 paras. 1, 2 (with reg. 3)

C331 S. 25A applied (with modifications) (21.4.2018) by The Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/390), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 (with reg. 2(1)-(3))

C332 S. 25A applied (with modifications) (21.4.2018) by The Gas Appliances (Enforcement) and Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/389), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 (with reg. 2)

C333 S. 25A applied (with modifications) (30.7.2018) by The Cableway Installations Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/816), regs. 1, 21(1)-(3) (with reg. 4)

Marginal Citations

M1 1971 c.80

26 Power of enforcing authorities to indemnify their inspectors. U.K.

Where an action has been brought against an inspector in respect of an act done in the execution or purported execution of any of the relevant statutory provisions and the circumstances are such that he is not legally entitled to require the enforcing authority which appointed him to indemnify him, that authority may, nevertheless, indemnify him against the whole or part of any damages and costs or expenses which he may have been ordered to pay or may have incurred, if the authority is satisfied that he honestly believed that the act complained of was within his powers and that his duty as an inspector required or entitled him to do it.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C36 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))

C116 Ss. 16-26 applied (E.W.S.) (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))

C129 Ss. 18-26 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)

C130 Ss. 18-28 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)31)

C157 Ss. 19-28 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

C159 Ss. 19-28 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))

C324 Ss. 25A-28 applied (with modifications) (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)31)

C334 S. 26 applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2-10

S. 26 excluded (with saving) (E.W.S.) (1.12.1997) by S.I. 1997/1840, regs. 7, 9

S. 26 extended (E.W.S.) (1.10.1996) by S.I. 1996/1513, reg. 10

S. 26 applied (E.W.S.) (24.7.2002) by S.I. 2002/1689, reg. 14(1)(a)

S. 26 applied (31.3.2002) by S.I. 2002/528, reg. 10

S. 26 applied (16.5.2002) by S.I. 2002/1166, reg. 31 (with art. 37)

S. 26 applied (with modifications) (9.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3260, reg. 17(3)(5)

S. 26: power to apply conferred (E.W.S.) (28.8.1995) by 1995 c. 15, ss. 2(4)(b), 5 (with s. 3(5)) S. 26 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (16.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/772, reg. 17

S. 26 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.3.1996) by S.I. 1996/192, reg. 15, Sch. 14 para. 1(b)

S. 26 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.7.1997) by S.I. 1997/831, reg. 19(1)-(4), Sch. 15 para. 1(a)(b)

S. 26 applied (15.11.2000) by S.I. 2000/2831, reg. 26(1)(a)

C335 S. 26 applied (with modifications) (1.1.1993) by S.I.1992/3073, reg. 28, Sch. 6 para. 1(b)

C336 S. 26 modified (6.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/711, regs. 1(2), 28(3)(b)(5)(a)

C337 S. 26 extended (with modifications) (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/743, reg. 20(1)(c), (2)(3)

C338 S. 26 applied (with modifications) (19.11.1999) by S.I. 1999/2892, reg. 16(1)

C339 S. 26 applied (with modifications) (29.11.1999) by S.I. 1999/2001, reg. 24(1), Sch. 8 para. 1(b)

C340 S. 26 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))

C341 S. 26 applied (E.W.S.) (20.9.2001) by S.I. 2001/2975, reg. 19(c)

C342 S. 26 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); s. 26 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (3.5.2004) by S.I. 2004/129, reg. 23(3)(c); s. 26 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (9.6.2004) by S.I. 2004/1309, reg. 17; s. 26 applied (E.W.S.) (22.4.2005) by S.I. 2005/928, reg. 4(2)(3)(5)(6); s. 26 applied (2.4.2006) by S.I. 2006/397, reg. 34

C343 S. 26 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)(f) (subject to (4)-(6)) (with art. 7)

C344 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))

C345 S. 26 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)(e)

C346 S. 26 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)(e)

C347 Ss. 19-28 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}

C348 S. 26 applied (with modifications) (16.1.2012) by The Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/3066), regs. 1(2), 39(2)(3)(e) (with reg. 3)

C349 S. 26 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)(c) (with regs. 3(2), 27(3))

C350 S. 26 applied (19.7.2015) by The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/398), regs. 1, 36(1)(c) (with reg. 4(2), Sch. 14)

C351 S. 26 applied (19.7.2015) by The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/398), regs. 1, 36(8)(c) (with reg. 4(2), Sch. 14)

C352 S. 26 applied (with modifications) (17.8.2015) by The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1553), reg. 1, Sch. 8 paras. 1(j), 2

C353 S. 26 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1105), reg. 1, Sch. 8 paras. 1(i), 2 (with reg. 88)

C354 S. 26 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1101), reg. 1, Sch. 4 paras. 1, 2 (with reg. 3)

C355 S. 26 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Lifts Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1093), reg. 1, Sch. 8 paras. 1(j), 2 (with regs. 3-5)

C356 S. 26 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (8.12.2016) by The Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1107), reg. 1(1), Sch. 4 para. 1(i)

C357 S. 26 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2016) by The Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1092), reg. 1, Sch. 6 paras. 1(i), 2 (with reg. 3)

C358 S. 26 applied (with modifications) (21.4.2018) by The Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/390), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 (with reg. 2(1)-(3))

C359 S. 26 applied (with modifications) (21.4.2018) by The Gas Appliances (Enforcement) and Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/389), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 (with reg. 2)

C360 S. 26 applied (with modifications) (30.7.2018) by The Cableway Installations Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/816), regs. 1, 21(1)-(3) (with reg. 4)

Obtaining and disclosure of information U.K.

27 Obtaining of information by the Commission, the Executive, enforcing authorities etc. U.K.

(1) For the purpose of obtaining—

(a) any information which [F102 the Executive] needs for the discharge of its functions; or

(b) any information which an enforcing authority [F103 other than the Office for Nuclear Regulation ]needs for the discharge of the authority’s functions,

[F102 the Executive] may, with the consent of the Secretary of State, serve on any person a notice requiring that person to furnish to [F102 the Executive] or, as the case may be, to the enforcing authority in question such information about such matters as may be specified in the notice, and to do so in such form and manner and within such time as may be so specified.

In this subsection “consent” includes a general consent extending to cases of any stated description.

(2) Nothing in section 9 of the M2 Statistics of Trade Act 1947 (which restricts the disclosure of information obtained under that Act) shall prevent or penalise—

(a) the disclosure by a Minister of the Crown to F104 . . . the Executive of information obtained under that Act about any undertaking within the meaning of that Act, being information consisting of the names and address of the persons carrying on the undertaking, the nature of the undertaking’s activities, the numbers of persons of different descriptions who work in the undertaking, the addresses or places where activities of the undertaking are or were carried on, the nature of the activities carried on there, or the numbers of person of different descriptions who work or worked in the undertaking there; F105 . . .

F105 (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F106 (3) In the preceding subsection, any reference to a Minister of the Crown or the Executive includes respectively a reference to an officer of that person or of that body and also, in the case of a reference to the Executive, includes a reference to—

(a) a person performing any functions of the Executive on its behalf by virtue of section 13(3);

(b) an officer of a body which is so performing any such functions; and

(c) an adviser appointed under section 13(7).]

(4) A person to whom information is disclosed in pursuance of subsection (2) above shall not use the information for a purpose other than a purpose F107 . . . of the Executive.

[F108 (5) In this section any reference to the Executive’s functions does not include its building functions.]

Textual Amendments

F102 Words in s. 27(1) substituted (1.4.2008) by The Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/960), art. 11(2) (with art. 21, Sch. 2)

F103 Words in s. 27(1)(b) inserted (1.4.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), s. 156(1), Sch. 12 para. 7; S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

F104 Words in s. 27(2) omitted (1.4.2008) by virture of The Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/960), art. 11(3) (with art. 21, Sch. 2)

F105 S. 27(2)(b) and the word “or” immediately preceding it repealed by Employment Act 1989 (c. 38, SIF 43:1), s. 29(3)(4), Sch. 6 para. 10(2), Sch. 7 pt. 1

F106 S. 27(3) substituted (1.4.2008) by The Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/960), art. 11(4) (with art. 21, Sch. 2)

F107 Words in s. 27(4) omitted (1.4.2008) by virtue The Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/960), art. 11(5) (with art. 21, Sch. 2)

F108 S. 27(5) inserted (E.W.S.) (28.6.2022) by Building Safety Act 2022 (c. 30), s. 170(5), Sch. 1 para. 6; S.I. 2022/561, reg. 3(a)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C36 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))

C130 Ss. 18-28 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)31)

C157 Ss. 19-28 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

C159 Ss. 19-28 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))