Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Work at Height Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/735) (“the principal Regulations”) which give effect as respects Great Britain to Directive 2001/45/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ No L195, 19.7.2001, p.46), amending Council Directive 89/655/EEC (OJ No L393, 30.12.89, p.13) concerning the minimum safety and health requirements for the use of work equipment by workers at work. The principal Regulations contain additional provisions, including additional provisions which replace regulations giving effect to certain provisions of Council Directives 89/654/EEC (OJ No L393, 30.12.89, p.1) concerning the minimum safety and health requirements for the workplace and 92/57/EEC (OJ No L245, 26.8.92, p.6) on the implementation of minimum safety and health requirements at temporary or mobile construction sites.

These Regulations omit the disapplication in regulation 3(4)(d) of the principal Regulations in relation to work concerning the provision of instruction or leadership to one or more persons in connection with their engagement in caving or climbing by way of sport, recreation, team building or similar activities (regulation 3). These Regulations also make provision as to what is taken to be compliance with certain requirements under the principal Regulations as they apply to such work (regulation 4).

A copy of the regulatory impact assessment prepared in respect of these Regulations can be obtained from the Health and Safety Executive, Economic Advisers Unit, Rose Court, 2 Southwark Bridge, London, SE1 9HS. A copy of the Transposition Note in relation to the implementation of the Directives can be obtained from the Health and Safety Executive, International Branch at the same address. Copies of both these documents have been placed in the Library of each House of Parliament.