Statutory vs non-statutory

Everyone at work — employer, employee, self-employed and visitors — needs to understand the health & safety rules. The rules come in two forms:

Key distinction

Statutory documents (Acts of Parliament and the Regulations made under them) are legally binding — breaking them is a criminal act. Non-statutory documents (guidance, codes of practice) are advisory; they cannot be enforced directly but reflect good practice and can be cited in court as evidence.

Key statutory regulations for the industry

This list is not exhaustive, but these are the main ones that apply to building services work:

Regulation	What it covers
Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974	Covers all workplaces; everyone is responsible for their own and others' safety.
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989	33 regulations; safe electrical systems and isolation (regs 1–16 & 29 most relevant).
COSHH Regulations 2002	Anything hazardous to health — chemicals, cements, oils, sprays.
Work at Height Regulations 2005	Falls cause more deaths/injuries than any other cause.
PPE at Work Regulations 2002	Assess, supply (employer) and wear (employee) protective equipment.
Manual Handling Operations Regs 1992	Reduce injury from lifting and handling loads.
PUWER 1998	Work equipment must be safe and used safely.
Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012	Report any suspected asbestos immediately.
Workplace (H&S & Welfare) Regs 1992	Welfare facilities; accessible workplaces.
Health and Safety (First Aid) Regs 1981	Adequate first-aid provision for employees.
Confined Spaces Regulations 1997	Enclosed spaces with risk of gas, fumes, lack of oxygen, etc.
Control of Noise at Work Regs 2005	Reduce risk of hearing loss.
Environmental Protection Act 1990	Waste management & emissions control.
CDM Regulations	Duties on clients, designers, contractors throughout a project.
WEEE Regulations	Waste electrical & electronic equipment recycling.
Hazardous Waste Regulations	Safe recovery/disposal of hazardous waste.
Pollution Prevention & Control Act 2000	Energy efficiency and pollution permits for industry.

Non-statutory documents

BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations) — the UK national standard for low-voltage installations. Non-statutory, but referenced in several statutory instruments.
Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs) — practical guidance with special legal status; failing to follow one can be used as evidence of guilt in court.
HSE guidance publications — explain how to interpret and apply regulations.
IET On-Site Guide — handy reference for electricians on site.

Implications of non-compliance

Direct: prosecution, fines, imprisonment, prohibition notices (stop work until fixed) and improvement notices (fix within a set time). Indirect: dismissal, injury, death, loss of earnings, lost clients and loss of reputation.