Metal fabrication — structural steel, tanks and vessels, plating, tools and fasteners, architectural metalwork and specialist firearms manufacturing — is machinery- and exposure-intensive. The workplace health and safety duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 apply to you. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulates in Great Britain and HSENI in Northern Ireland. Beyond that foundation, the rules diverge by whether you place products on the market and whether you handle controlled goods such as firearms or explosives.
What you need to do
Identify the description that best fits what you make. If more than one applies, follow every obligation that applies.
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Every metal fabricator
Whatever you make, start with the universal spine. Follow "Set up and run a safe metal fabrication workshop" for your health and safety, welding-fume and COSHH controls, work equipment, manual handling, fire safety, insurance, equality, data protection and the environmental permit for surface treatment.
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You place metal products on the market
Structural steel to BS EN 1090, boilers and pressure vessels, or general metal goods. These need conformity assessment and conformity marking — UKCA, or CE which is still accepted on the GB market — before they go on sale. Follow "Place fabricated metal products on the market".
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You make firearms, ammunition or explosives
Manufacturing weapons and ammunition (SIC 25.40) is a controlled activity needing firearms-dealer registration, an explosives licence and — at threshold quantities — COMAH major-accident controls. Follow "Manufacture weapons and ammunition".
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Confirm you have covered everything
Whatever you make, finish with the fabricated metal manufacturer compliance checklist to confirm your obligations are met before a production run.
Legal basis
Primary legislation and key regulations
Read it on legislation.gov.uk (opens in a new tab) legislation.gov.uk