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The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
Overview
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 set out the requirements for a range of aspects associated to the management of health and safety at work, and define requirements for risk assessments and the provision of health and safety arrangements in the workplace.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 set out a series of requirements for the following aspects of the workplace:
- Information for employees;
- Co-operation and coordination;
- Persons working in host employers’ or self-employed persons; undertakings;
- Capabilities and training;
- Employees’ duties;
- Protection for temporary workers;
- Protection for new or expectant mothers; and
- Protection of young persons.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 were made on the 3rd of December 1999 and came into force on the 29th of December 1999.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 fall under the jurisdiction of national authorities in the following countries:
- United Kingdom;
- England;
- Scotland;
- Wales; and
- Northern Ireland.

Do the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 affect my business
If your business employs workers, then you as an employer will have certain requirements under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Furthermore, your employees will also have obligations under these Regulations.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 affect all employers and stipulate protections and the need for risk assessment in relation to temporary workers, new and expectant mothers, and the protection of young persons.
Requirements under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 include, but are not limited to:
- Every employer shall provide his employees with comprehensible and relevant information regarding any risks to their health and safety, any preventive and protective measures, and the procedures that have been put in place;
- If two employers are engaged on the same site, they must co-ordinate and co-operate in regards of safety and fire safety;
- Every employer and every self-employed person shall ensure that the employer of any employees from an outside undertaking who are working in his undertaking is provided with comprehensible information on the risks to those employees’ health and safety;
- Every employer, when they allocate tasks to employees, must take their capabilities as regards health and safety into account;
- Within the Regulations, every employee is charged to use any machinery, equipment, dangerous substance, transport equipment, means of production or safety device provided to him by his employer in accordance both with any training in the use of the equipment concerned which has been received by him and the instructions respecting that use which have been provided;
- Every employer must provide any worker employed under a fixed-term contract of employment with comprehensive information on any special occupational qualifications or skills, required for the employee to carry out their work, and information about specific features of the jobs (if they affect health or safety), and also any health surveillance required before the employee concerned commences his duties; and
- If an employer employs women of a child-bearing age, and the work could involve risk to the individual or her baby (including post-natal situations where the woman may be breastfeeding), then a risk assessment must be undertaken.
Do I need the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 in my ISO Compliance Register?
You will need the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 in your ISO Compliance Register, and have key tasks, if you:
- Employ workers (including temporary workers);
- Are self-employed;
- Employ persons under the age of 18; or
- Have business interactions with other groups (such as members of the public).
Legislation related to the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
Legislation related to the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 include:
- The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
- The Health and Safety (Young Persons) Regulations 1997
- The Health and Safety Information for Employees Regulations 1989
More information
Visit the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 article on the legislation.gov.uk website.
Create an account in the ISO Compliance Register App and add this article to your Register.