Emergency airspace restrictions in Leicestershire: implications for UK health and safety law and regulatory compliance

Emergency airspace restrictions in Leicestershire and UK health and safety law: what duty holders need to know for regulatory compliance

What has changed

The UK government has introduced emergency Regulations restricting certain airspace operations in Leicestershire. The measures are described in the Emergency Regulations and are intended to reduce risk by controlling flight activity within a defined area during the period of the emergency.

Why this matters for business and health and safety compliance

The change affects organisations that operate vehicles, drones or crews in or near the restricted airspace. It creates a direct linkage between aviation safety controls and general workplace health and safety responsibilities. Duty holders must reassess the potential consequences for site access, delivery routes and project timelines. From a governance perspective, it increases the need for clear lines of oversight, risk assessment and communication with air traffic and local authorities. It also underscores the importance of proactive risk management and controls consistent with UK health and safety law and HSE requirements.

Key duties for employers and duty holders

In practical terms organisations should:

• Identify all sites and operations affected by the Leicestershire airspace restrictions
• Review existing risk assessments and update control measures where flight activity is a factor
• Communicate requirements to staff, contractors and suppliers who may be affected
• Check contractor and supplier approvals for operations within the restricted area and adjust schedules as necessary
• Coordinate with local authorities, the Civil Aviation Authority and air traffic control where applicable
• Update incident reporting and investigation arrangements to reflect aviation related risks
• Ensure competency and training for personnel involved in activities impacted by the restrictions

Enforcement and sanctions

Emergency Regulations typically include specific compliance obligations and may carry penalties for non‑compliance. Organisations should actively monitor Communications from regulatory bodies and ensure prompt remediation where gaps are identified.

Steps to achieve compliance

To align with the new requirements, organisations should consider the following steps and seek expert guidance as needed:

• Review and, if necessary, revise the health and safety policy and procedures to reference the emergency airspace restrictions
• Update risk assessments to reflect new flight restrictions and associated hazards
• Engage workers and trade unions in identifying practical controls
• Utilise competent person support for risk assessment and control design where required
• Align management systems with ISO 45001 occupational health and safety management where feasible to support systematic risk management
• Plan and deliver targeted training on the updated controls and reporting obligations
• Consider partnering with a specialist compliance advisor such as Synergos to support governance and assurance processes

What organisations should do next

Immediate actions include mapping affected locations, confirming scope with regulators and adjusting project plans to reflect the restrictions. Ongoing governance should track changes in the regulatory position and maintain clear accountability for health and safety risk management in relation to aviation restrictions.

Timely action will reduce disruption and support ongoing compliance with UK health and safety law and HSE requirements.