Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA): Primary legislation establishing general duties for employers to ensure worker safety. Forms the foundation of workplace safety legislation in England and Wales.
Confined Spaces Regulations 1997: Core legislation specifically governing confined space work. Defines confined spaces, sets out employer duties, and establishes requirements for risk assessment.
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999: Establishes general risk assessment requirements, defines requirements for competent persons, and outlines emergency procedures.
Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992: Details requirements for PPE provision and use, including selection and maintenance of safety equipment for confined space work.
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER): Specifies safety requirements for equipment used in confined spaces and associated training requirements.
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH): Governs management of chemical and biological hazards, including exposure limits relevant to confined spaces.
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR): Establishes incident reporting requirements for accidents and dangerous occurrences in confined spaces.
Safety Signs and Signals Regulations 1996: Specifies requirements for warning signs and communication systems in confined space operations.
HSE Approved Code of Practice: Provides practical guidance and compliance standards for safe work in confined spaces, supplementing statutory requirements.
