As we have previously reported HSE implement changes that arise to legislation within the UK on only two dates each year.

The two 'Common Commencement Dates' are:

• 6 April (the start of the tax year); and
• 1 October

Changes due to commence on 6 April 2009

1. Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments and Revocations) Regulations

• These regulations are intended to correct issues that have arisen since the new regulations on the manufacture and storage of explosives came into force in April 2005. They also take the opportunity to reduce the administrative burden resulting from explosives legislation by extending the maximum periods of validity of explosives certificates and storage licences. They will also revoke redundant and outdated local mining regulations and correct an omission in the Control of Noise at Work regulations.

2. Factories Act 1961 and Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act 1963 (Repeals and Modifications) Regulations
HSE are consulting on these proposed regulations. They would remove several legislative form filling requirements that currently apply to most businesses operating from a factory, office or shop (and certain railway premises) in Great Britain.  The regulations would introduce no new requirements.  HSE are considering two areas:

• Premises notification - employers are currently required to fill out a form to notify HSE or their local authority of any factory, office or shop premises, and certain railway premises, where employees work.
• The general register - factory employers are also required to keep a set of records and forms called the general register.
  HSE think these requirements are no longer needed and could be removed without detriment to current health and safety protection.

3. The Health and Safety Information (Amendment) Regulations

The 1989 Regulations require employers to provide health and safety information, including the contact details for the local health and safety enforcing authority office and Employment Medical Advisory Service (EMAS) office, to their employees by displaying in the workplace the approved poster or giving each employee the approved leaflet. 

The amendments will allow HSE to approve and publish new posters and leaflets which do not require the addition or updating of enforcing authority and EMAS contact information by businesses displaying them.

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We will continue to update you and remind you of changes as the date gets closer. Should you have any specific enquires regarding legislation changes, you can always 'Ask the Expert'.