Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Retained EU Law Bill, what plans he has to (a) replace, (b) revoke or (c) retain the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, as amended, make explicit the implicit requirements to manage workplace health and safety in the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The Regulations outline employers’ duties to manage health and safety risks including risk assessment, risk control, health and safety arrangements, health surveillance, competent health and safety advice, procedures for serious and imminent danger and information for employees.

The Regulations implement a number of provisions of EU Directives and are subject to the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill 2022 (REUL Bill) currently passing through Parliament.

With the introduction of the REUL Bill, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) remains focused on ensuring that regulatory frameworks maintain the United Kingdom’s high standards of health and safety protection and continue to reduce burdens for business. HSE’s approach aligns closely with the Government’s pledge to do more for business to help promote growth by removing disproportionate burdens and simplifying the regulatory landscape. Our standards of health and safety protections are among the highest in the world. HSE will continue to review its retained EU Law to seek opportunities to reduce business burdens and promote growth without reducing health and safety standards.