Health and Safety Executive launches consultations on revisions to two Approved Codes of Practice
THE Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched consultations on the revised content of two Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs).
Changes to the ACOPs Workplace health, safety and welfare regulations (L24) and Safety in the installation and use of gas systems and appliances (L56) have been developed by HSE and industry stakeholders.
Following an initial consultation in June 2012, it was agreed by the HSE board that a number of ACOPs would be revised, consolidated or withdrawn in line with the recommendation by Professor Ragnar Löfstedt in his report ‘Reclaiming health and safety for all’.
The proposed changes have been made to make it easier for employers to understand and meet their legal obligations and so reduce the risks of over compliance. Legal responsibilities to protect workers’ health and safety are not altered by any changes to ACOPs.
The revised drafts are now subject to a 12-week consultation ending on 30 July 2013.
Consultative documents and draft versions of the revised ACOPs are available online at: www.hse.gov.uk/consult/live.htm
Subject to the outcome of the consultation and ministerial approval, the revised ACOPs will be published by the end of the year.
