MHSWR 1999 compliance checklist

How to use this checklist

This checklist covers the key duties under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Work through each section and assess whether you comply. Where you identify gaps, follow the links to detailed guidance on how to address them.

This checklist is designed to be used for self-audit. It is not exhaustive but covers the duties most frequently cited in HSE enforcement action.

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

Key requirements under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR). Secondary legislation under HASAWA 1974.

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR) are secondary legislation under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA). They place general duties on employers to manage health and safety effectively.

Legal status: Secondary legislation under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
Came into force: 29 December 1999 (amended 2003, 2006)
Applies to: All employers and self-employed persons in Great Britain
Risk assessment requirement: Employers must carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments of workplace hazards
Recording requirement: Risk assessments must be recorded in writing if 5 or more employees
Competent person requirement: Employers must appoint one or more competent persons to assist with health and safety compliance
Health surveillance: Employers must provide appropriate health surveillance where risks are identified
Young persons protection: Specific requirements to assess and control risks to persons under 18 years old
New and expectant mothers: Employers must assess risks to new and expectant mothers and take appropriate action
Information and training: Employers must provide comprehensible and relevant health and safety information and training to employees
Enforcement: Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local authorities
Referenced by: 25 regulatory documents in the ORDS (Office for Regulatory Delivery and Simplification) dataset

HSE - Managing for health and safety (L21 guidance) (opens in a new tab)

Risk assessment (Regulation 3)

Suitable and sufficient risk assessment completed for all work activities
Risk assessment covers risks to employees and others affected by your work
Significant findings recorded in writing (required if 5+ employees)
Groups of employees at particular risk identified (young workers, pregnant workers)
Risk assessment reviewed after accidents, near misses, or significant changes
Risk assessment reviewed at least annually even if no changes have occurred
Control measures identified in the assessment have been implemented

Principles of prevention (Regulation 4)

Control measures follow the hierarchy: eliminate, reduce, isolate, control, PPE
PPE is used only as a last resort, not as a first response
Collective protective measures take priority over individual measures

Health and safety arrangements (Regulation 5)

Arrangements in place for planning, organising, controlling, monitoring and reviewing H&S
Arrangements recorded in writing (required if 5+ employees)
Clear allocation of health and safety responsibilities

Health surveillance (Regulation 6)

Risk assessment reviewed to identify any health surveillance needs
Health surveillance provided where exposure to specific hazards is identified
Health surveillance records maintained (40-year retention for identifiable records)

Competent person (Regulation 7)

One or more competent persons appointed to assist with H&S
Competent person has adequate training, experience, and knowledge for your risks
Preference given to internal competent person over external consultant
Competent person given adequate time and resources

Emergency procedures (Regulations 8-9)

Procedures established for all reasonably foreseeable emergencies (not just fire)
Sufficient competent persons nominated to coordinate evacuation
Workers informed of emergency procedures and nominated persons
Access to danger areas restricted to those with adequate instruction
Contacts with external emergency services arranged
Emergency procedures tested and reviewed regularly

Information (Regulation 10)

Employees informed of risks identified by risk assessment
Employees informed of preventive and protective measures
Employees informed of emergency procedures and nominated persons
Information provided in comprehensible format for all workers
HSE health and safety law poster displayed or leaflet distributed

Training (Regulation 13)

Induction training provided to all new employees
Training provided when employees are exposed to new or increased risks
Training provided during working hours
Refresher training provided periodically
Employee capabilities assessed before tasks are assigned
Training records maintained

Vulnerable workers

Specific risk assessment completed for any young workers (under 18)
Parent notification provided before any child worker starts
Generic risk assessment includes risks to women of childbearing age
Process in place to respond when employee notifies pregnancy
Temporary worker duties understood and information exchange established with agencies
Shared workplace cooperation and coordination arrangements in place

Legal basis

Primary legislation and key regulations

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 Primary 1974 · UK-wide Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 SI 1999 · UK-wide

Browse UK legislation legislation.gov.uk

Official guidance

Manage workplace risk assessments under MHSWR 1999 (opens in a new tab)

HSE

HSE - Managing for health and safety (opens in a new tab)

HSE

MHSWR 1999 full text (legislation.gov.uk) (opens in a new tab)

legislation

HSENI website (opens in a new tab)

GOV.UK