Manufacturing & Engineering UK-wide

Which repair and installation regulations apply to your business

Repairing, maintaining and installing machinery and equipment shares a workplace-safety foundation, then adds a specific approval or certification for the systems you work on — gas, refrigeration and air-conditioning, pressure systems, aircraft or ships.

Guide summary

Run a safe repair and installation business by following general health and safety laws. Then get a specialist approval if you work on gas, refrigeration, pressure systems, aircraft or ships. Failures can lead to unlimited fines and up to 2 years in prison.

  • Follow the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 duties
  • Assess risks from machinery, electricity, lifting, height and substances
  • Get specialist certification for gas, refrigeration or pressure systems
  • Get specialist approval for aircraft or ship work
  • Protect employees, contractors, visitors and the public
  • Keep records of your safety checks and approvals
  • Penalties include unlimited fines and up to 2 years in prison
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Repair and installation work carries machinery, electrical, lifting, working-at-height and hazardous-substance risks, often on the customer's site. 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.

Several kinds of equipment can only be worked on under a specific approval or certification — gas, refrigeration, pressure systems, aircraft and ships.

What you need to do

Every repair and installation business needs the spine below; add the specialist approvals for the systems you actually work on.

  1. 1

    Run a safe business and employ people

    Whatever you work on, start with the universal spine. Follow "Set up and run a safe repair and installation business" for your health and safety, COSHH controls, work equipment, manual handling, fire safety, insurance, equality and data protection duties.

  2. 2

    Get the specialist approvals for the systems you work on

    If you work on gas appliances, refrigeration and air-conditioning, pressure systems, aircraft or ships, you need a specific registration or certification first. Follow "Get the specialist approvals for the systems you repair and install".

  3. 3

    Confirm you have covered everything

    Finish with the repair and installation compliance checklist to confirm your obligations are met.

Official sources

Authoritative starting points for repair and installation.