Recent UK Legislative Changes Affecting Health and Safety Practice

Recent UK Legislative Changes Affecting Health and Safety Practice

A batch of statutory instruments and orders has introduced targeted changes across transport, infrastructure, environmental regulation and building safety that have practical implications for health and safety professionals, contractors and dutyholders. This article summarises the principal measures and sets out practical steps for compliance and risk management.

Infrastructure and transport: temporary speed restrictions and major projects

A series of temporary trunk road orders impose 20mph and 40mph speed restrictions on sections of the A75, A77 and M77/A77 near Stranraer, Springholm and Cairnryan. Separately, a development consent order authorises construction, operation, maintenance and decommissioning of a large carbon capture facility proposed by Cory Environmental Holdings Limited.

Health and safety implications

• Traffic management and temporary works: employers and contractors must review traffic management plans, signage and vehicle segregation to reflect the new temporary limits and to protect site workers and road users.
• Construction and operational safety: the Cory decarbonisation project will require robust safety cases for hazardous processes, permit-to-work systems for confined spaces and hot works, and clear controls for lifting, scaffolding and plant operations.
• Supply chain coordination: principal contractors should communicate restrictions to subcontractors and ensure competence, induction and site-specific risk assessments are up to date.

Practical actions

1. Update RAMS and traffic management plans to reflect temporary speed restrictions and enforce them through supervision and signage.
2. For major projects, require contractors to submit project-specific safety documentation, including construction phase plans and environmental risk assessments.
3. Ensure emergency arrangements are practised and that first aid and rescue equipment align with on-site hazards.

Building Safety Levy and building control funding

The Building Safety Levy regulations establish a levy linked to building control applications, setting out liability, calculation, payment and enforcement. The levy is intended to support the broader building safety framework.

Health and safety implications

• Increased compliance scrutiny: projects subject to the levy may attract closer regulatory oversight, emphasising the need for rigorous building control submissions and demonstration of competency.
• Resource planning: the levy may affect project budgets and timelines, with implications for resourcing of safety-critical activities.

Practical actions

1. Factor the levy into project cost plans and procurement timetables to avoid compressed programmes that could compromise safety.
2. Ensure building control documentation accurately reflects fire safety measures, material specifications and quality assurance processes.

Biocidal products and data protection periods

Amendments to the GB Biocidal Products Regulation adjust provisions in relation to data protection periods. These changes relate to the regulatory framework governing availability and use of biocidal products in GB.

Health and safety implications

• Product availability and substitution: changes to data protection can affect which biocidal products are available and when, prompting reassessment of control measures and permitted alternatives.
• Workplace exposure and controls: employers must continue to rely on up-to-date safety data sheets and risk assessments where biocidal products are used for disinfection, pest control or surface treatments.

Practical actions

1. Review inventory of permitted biocidal products and identify suitable alternatives where authorisations change.
2. Update COSHH assessments and staff training to reflect any changes in product formulation or controls.

Marine Recovery Funds and offshore environmental measures

The Marine Recovery Funds Regulations provide for one or more funds into which payments related to offshore wind activities may be made and from which measures to compensate for adverse environmental effects can be funded.

Health and safety implications

• Offshore operations: environmental mitigation measures may include activities that have direct health and safety implications for offshore workers, such as habitat restoration, monitoring or remediation tasks.
• Contractual and operational planning: where contractors undertake funded measures they must integrate environmental tasks into their safety management systems.

Practical actions

1. Where your organisation is involved in offshore mitigation measures, ensure project-specific risk assessments address maritime hazards, access and transfer, and emergency planning.
2. Co-ordinate environmental and H&S teams early to align mitigation objectives with safe working methods.

Criminal justice procedure amendments: Parole Board and Civil Procedure Rules

Amendments to the Parole Board Rules and to the Civil Procedure Rules introduce procedures for referrals to the High Court and for applications concerning non-disclosure where disclosure would adversely affect prevention of disorder or crime or the health or welfare of a person.

Health and safety implications

• Information handling: custody, probation and health services must handle sensitive information with careful attention to confidentiality and welfare concerns.
• Inter-agency working: changes underscore the need for clear protocols between justice, healthcare and social services where disclosure decisions have safety implications for staff or service users.

Practical actions

1. Review record-keeping and information-sharing protocols to ensure lawful, proportionate disclosure that protects staff and service users.
2. Provide training for staff who handle sensitive welfare information on relevant legal thresholds and internal escalation routes.

Local governance change: Milton Keynes electoral arrangements

An Order implements changes to electoral arrangements for Milton Keynes as recommended by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England; it does not change the city boundary. While primarily an electoral matter, changes to warding and representation can affect local decision-making structures that oversee health and safety planning and enforcement.

Practical actions

• Local authorities and contractors should note changes to ward representation when engaging on planning, licensing or safety consultations.
• Stakeholders should update contact lists for local health and safety liaison to reflect any new ward councillors or committee arrangements.

How to respond and where to get help

Across these instruments the consistent themes are the need for clear risk assessment, robust documentation and proactive coordination between technical, environmental and safety teams. Practical steps include:

• Audit: carry out a focused audit of projects and activities affected by the instruments identified above.
• Update controls: refresh RAMS, COSHH assessments and emergency plans where regulatory change affects operations or available products.
• Communicate: ensure front-line supervisors, contractors and supply chain partners are briefed on implications and responsibilities.

For interpretation of legislative detail and implementation support, organisations often work with specialist advisers. Synergos Consultancy provides technical guidance on regulatory compliance and risk management, helping translate statutory changes into practical safety measures Synergos Consultancy.

Final note

These instruments collectively reinforce the need for active governance of health and safety across infrastructure, construction, environmental and custodial settings. Regular review of legal changes and early engagement with competent advisers will reduce risk and support compliance as projects progress.