Can this page help me create a Health and Safety Manual?

Yes. The mapping can help identify topics that may need to appear in a manual, such as responsibilities, risk controls, reporting, training and emergency arrangements.

What should a UK Health and Safety Manual include?

A Health and Safety Manual should reflect your organisation’s activities, risks, workforce, premises and management arrangements.

How does this page relate to the Health and Safety Manual generator?

It complements the main Health and Safety Manual generator page by explaining the legal basis for common manual sections and linking duties to document content.

Can AI generate a legally compliant Health and Safety Manual?

AI can help draft a structured manual, but the content should be reviewed and adapted by a competent person to match your organisation’s actual risks and procedures.

How often should a Health and Safety Manual be reviewed?

Health and safety manual content should be reviewed regularly and whenever there are changes in law, work activities, premises, equipment, personnel or risk assessments.

Why is traceability important in a Health and Safety Manual?

Mapping helps improve traceability by showing how manual sections correspond to duties under UK health and safety law and recognised management expectations.

Is this mapping useful for small UK businesses?

Yes. Small businesses can use it to understand core duties and build a proportionate manual that reflects their size, activities and risk profile.

Does using a manual template guarantee compliance with UK health and safety law?

No. Templates and generated documents should be tailored to your organisation and checked against current legal requirements and practical workplace arrangements.

How can this page improve the quality of a Health and Safety Manual?

It helps users move from general legal duties to practical document sections, making it easier to draft a manual that is organised, relevant and reviewable.

EN-GB>Governance>Health and Safety Manual>UK Health and Safety Legal Duties Mapping

UK Health And Safety Legal Duties And Manual Mapping

Created: 9 Jun 2026

This dataset helps UK organisations understand legal health and safety duties and map them to relevant manual sections. It supports clearer compliance planning and connects with the AI Generated Health and Safety Manual for use in the United Kingdom.

Legal Requirement	Summary of Duty	Relevant Manual Content	Duty Holder	Documentation Usually Helpful
General Health and Safety
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 2	Ensure employees' health, safety and welfare so far as reasonably practicable.	Health and safety policy responsibilities safe systems of work.	Employer	true
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 3	Protect non-employees affected by the undertaking, so far as reasonably practicable.	Visitor, contractor and public safety procedures.	Employer Self-employed Person	true
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 4	Ensure premises, access, plant and substances are safe for users.	Premises safety checks maintenance and access control procedures.	Person in Control of Premises	true
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 7	Employees must take reasonable care and cooperate with the employer.	Employee responsibilities policy induction sign-off.	Employee	true
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 8	Do not intentionally or recklessly interfere with safety equipment.	Employee conduct rules disciplinary safety rules.	Employee Manager	true
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 2(3)	Employers with five or more employees must have a written policy.	Signed health and safety policy statement and arrangements.	Employer	true
Risk Assessment
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, regulation 3	Make suitable and sufficient risk assessments for work activities.	Risk assessment procedure and assessment template.	Employer Self-employed Person	true
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, regulation 3(6)	Record significant risk assessment findings where legally required.	Risk assessment register and completed assessments.	Employer Self-employed Person	true
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, regulation 4	Apply prevention principles when choosing control measures.	Hierarchy of control procedure.	Employer Manager	true
General Health and Safety
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, regulation 5	Have arrangements for effective planning, organisation, control, monitoring and review.	Management arrangements section audit and review schedule.	Employer	true
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, regulation 6	Provide health surveillance where risk assessment shows it is appropriate.	Health surveillance procedure and confidential referral process.	Employer Competent Person	true
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, regulation 7	Appoint competent help to comply with health and safety duties.	Competent person appointment and role description.	Employer Competent Person	true
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, regulation 8	Establish procedures for serious and imminent danger.	Emergency plan evacuation and shutdown procedures.	Employer Manager	true
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, regulation 10	Provide employees with relevant health and safety information.	Induction checklist safety briefing records.	Employer Manager	true
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, regulation 11	Cooperate and coordinate where workplaces are shared.	Shared workplace and contractor coordination procedure.	Employer Self-employed Person Person in Control of Premises	true
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, regulation 15	Give temporary workers necessary health and safety information.	Agency worker induction and host-employer information form.	Employer Manager	true
Risk Assessment
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, regulations 16 to 18	Assess and control risks to new or expectant mothers.	New and expectant mothers risk assessment procedure.	Employer Manager	true
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, regulation 19	Protect young persons from risks due to inexperience or immaturity.	Young worker assessment and supervision procedure.	Employer Manager	true
General Health and Safety
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and Management Regulations training duties	Provide adequate health and safety information, instruction and training.	Training matrix induction and refresher records.	Employer Manager	true
Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977	Consult recognised union safety representatives on health and safety matters.	Worker consultation procedure safety committee terms of reference.	Employer Manager	true
Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996	Consult employees directly or through elected representatives where no union applies.	Employee consultation procedure and meeting record template.	Employer Manager	true
Fire Safety
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, articles 9 and 11	Carry out and maintain a suitable fire risk assessment.	Fire safety policy fire risk assessment template.	Employer Person in Control of Premises	true
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, article 8	Take general fire precautions to ensure relevant persons are safe.	Fire precautions checklist and action plan.	Employer Person in Control of Premises	true
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, article 14	Keep emergency routes and exits clear, suitable and available.	Escape route inspection checklist.	Employer Person in Control of Premises Manager	true
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, article 13	Provide appropriate fire detection, alarms and firefighting equipment.	Fire alarm and extinguisher inspection register.	Employer Person in Control of Premises	true
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, article 15	Establish procedures for serious and imminent fire danger.	Fire evacuation plan drill log marshal list.	Employer Person in Control of Premises Manager	true
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, article 21	Provide adequate fire safety training for employees.	Fire induction and refresher training records.	Employer Manager	true
Work Equipment
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, regulation 4	Ensure work equipment is suitable for the work and conditions.	Work equipment selection and approval procedure.	Employer Self-employed Person Manager	true
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, regulation 5	Maintain work equipment in an efficient state and good repair.	Planned maintenance register and defect report form.	Employer Self-employed Person Manager	true
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, regulation 6	Inspect equipment where safety depends on installation or conditions.	Equipment inspection schedule and inspection records.	Employer Self-employed Person Competent Person	true
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, regulations 8 and 9	Provide equipment users with information, instruction and training.	Equipment training records and authorised user list.	Employer Manager	true
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, regulation 11	Prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery.	Machine guarding checklist and defect escalation procedure.	Employer Manager Competent Person	true
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, regulations 14 to 18	Ensure controls, isolation and emergency stops are safe and effective.	Pre-use checks isolation and lock-off procedure.	Employer Manager Competent Person	true
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, regulation 8	Plan, supervise and carry out lifting operations safely.	Lifting plan template and appointed person procedure.	Employer Self-employed Person Competent Person	true
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, regulation 9	Ensure lifting equipment is thoroughly examined by a competent person.	LOLER examination register and certificates file.	Employer Self-employed Person Competent Person	true
Hazardous Substances
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, regulation 6	Assess risks from hazardous substances before work starts.	COSHH assessment form and substance inventory.	Employer Self-employed Person Manager	true
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, regulation 7	Prevent or adequately control exposure to hazardous substances.	COSHH control procedure PPE and ventilation controls.	Employer Self-employed Person Manager	true
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, regulation 9	Maintain, examine and test exposure control measures.	LEV inspection register and control maintenance records.	Employer Competent Person	true
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, regulations 10 and 11	Monitor exposure and provide health surveillance where required.	Exposure monitoring and health surveillance records procedure.	Employer Competent Person	true
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, regulation 12	Inform and train employees about hazardous substance risks and controls.	COSHH briefing records and safety data sheet register.	Employer Manager	true
Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, regulation 4	Manage asbestos in non-domestic premises and identify its location and condition.	Asbestos management plan and asbestos register.	Person in Control of Premises Employer	true
Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, regulation 6	Assess asbestos exposure risks before work with asbestos.	Asbestos work risk assessment and permit-to-work control.	Employer Self-employed Person Competent Person	true
Manual Handling
Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, regulation 4	Avoid hazardous manual handling or assess and reduce the risk.	Manual handling policy and assessment form.	Employer Manager	true
Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, regulation 4(1)(b)(iii)	Provide information on load weight and centre of gravity where practicable.	Manual handling task instructions and load information labels.	Employer Manager	true
Display Screen Equipment
Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, regulation 2	Analyse workstations and reduce DSE risks for users.	DSE policy and workstation self-assessment checklist.	Employer Manager	true
Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, regulation 4	Plan DSE work so users can take breaks or changes of activity.	DSE breaks guidance and manager review checklist.	Employer Manager	true
Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, regulation 5	Provide DSE users with eyesight tests on request.	Eye test request procedure and reimbursement form.	Employer	true
Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, regulation 6	Provide DSE users with training and information.	DSE user guidance and training record.	Employer Manager	true
First Aid
Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, regulation 3	Provide adequate and appropriate first-aid equipment, facilities and personnel.	First aid needs assessment and first aider register.	Employer	true
Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, regulation 4	Inform employees of first-aid arrangements.	First aid notice template and induction briefing.	Employer Manager	true
Reporting and Records
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013, regulations 4 and 5	Report specified work-related deaths and injuries to the enforcing authority.	RIDDOR reporting procedure and responsible person checklist.	Employer Self-employed Person Person in Control of Premises Manager	true
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013, regulation 4(2)	Report work injuries causing over seven days' incapacity.	Absence-linked accident review and RIDDOR decision log.	Employer Manager	true
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013, regulation 7	Report specified dangerous occurrences even if no one is injured.	Near-miss and dangerous occurrence reporting form.	Employer Self-employed Person Person in Control of Premises Manager	true
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013, regulation 8	Report specified diagnosed occupational diseases linked to work.	Occupational disease reporting and health surveillance escalation procedure.	Employer Self-employed Person Manager	true
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013, regulation 12	Keep records of reportable injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences.	RIDDOR register and accident investigation file.	Employer Self-employed Person Person in Control of Premises	true
Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1979, accident book requirement	Certain employers must keep an accident book for workplace injuries.	Accident book procedure and data protection handling note.	Employer Manager	true
General Health and Safety
Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, regulation 5	Maintain workplace, equipment and systems in efficient working order.	Workplace inspection checklist and maintenance log.	Employer Person in Control of Premises Manager	true
Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, regulation 6	Provide effective and suitable workplace ventilation.	Ventilation checks and maintenance record.	Employer Person in Control of Premises	true
Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, regulation 7	Maintain a reasonable indoor workplace temperature.	Temperature management procedure and complaint log.	Employer Person in Control of Premises Manager	true
Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, regulation 8	Provide suitable and sufficient workplace lighting.	Lighting inspection checklist and defect log.	Employer Person in Control of Premises	true
Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, regulation 9	Keep workplaces clean, with suitable waste arrangements.	Housekeeping checklist and cleaning schedule.	Employer Person in Control of Premises Manager	true
Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, regulation 10	Provide sufficient floor area, height and unoccupied space.	Workplace layout review checklist.	Employer Person in Control of Premises	true
Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, regulation 12	Keep floors and traffic routes suitable, safe and free from obstruction.	Slip, trip and fall inspection checklist.	Employer Person in Control of Premises Manager	true
Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, regulations 20 to 25	Provide suitable sanitary, washing, drinking and rest facilities.	Welfare facilities checklist and inspection schedule.	Employer Person in Control of Premises	true
Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992, as amended	Provide suitable PPE where risks cannot be otherwise controlled.	PPE policy, issue register and compatibility assessment.	Employer Self-employed Person Manager	true
Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992, regulation 7	Maintain PPE in efficient working order and good repair.	PPE inspection and replacement records.	Employer Manager Employee	true
Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992, regulation 9	Provide information, instruction and training on PPE use.	PPE training record and user instruction sheet.	Employer Manager	true
Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992, regulation 10	Employees must use PPE as instructed and report loss or defects.	Employee PPE rules and defect reporting form.	Employee	true

What Should A UK Health And Safety Manual Cover?

A UK health and safety manual should not be limited to a general policy statement. The duties mapped in this dataset show that a useful manual normally needs linked procedures for risk assessment, fire safety, work equipment, COSHH, manual handling, DSE, first aid, and accident reporting.

Which Health And Safety Duties Most Often Need Written Evidence?

Written evidence is especially important where the law expressly requires assessment, arrangements, records or reporting. This includes the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, the COSHH Regulations 2002, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and RIDDOR 2013.

Who Is Responsible For Health And Safety Manual Compliance?

The employer usually holds the main duties, but the manual should allocate responsibilities to managers, employees, competent persons and, where relevant, persons in control of premises. This is important because UK health and safety law often requires both organisational arrangements and individual cooperation.

How Can A Manual Support Day-To-Day Compliance?

The records indicate that a practical manual should include checklists, registers and forms as well as policies. Examples include risk assessment forms, fire drill logs, equipment inspection registers, COSHH assessments, manual handling assessments, DSE self-assessments, first aid needs assessments and accident report forms.