Neither IChemE nor the Safety and Loss Prevention Special Interest Group can vouch for the completeness or accuracy of these resources. Information is given in good faith but without any liability on the part of IChemE.
Australia
Health and safety legislation
Health and safety is regulated in Australia by different authorities in different states and territories. A list of major hazard facilities regulators for onshore operations can be found at Safe Work Australia (SWA). The offshore regulator is the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA).
Great Britain
Health and safety legislation
The health and safety regulator in Great Britain is the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Information about the legislation applying in Great Britain and guidance to help 'duty holders' comply with it can be found on the HSE web site. The links below lead to some of the most useful pages:
- How to trace legislation
- Acts of Parliament
- Statutory instruments (regulations)
- Legal publications to help interpret the law
- Getting started - step-by-step
Land use planning legislation
This is the responsibility of Local Authorities. HSE must be consulted about development proposals near 'Major Hazard' chemical sites and about proposals to establish new 'Major Hazard' chemical sites or expand existing 'Major Hazard' chemical sites. Similar requirements apply in respect of 'major accident hazard pipelines', explosives factories and major explosives storage sites.
Planning legislation relevant to these sites and pipelines is listed on the HSE web site.
India
Health and safety legislation
Industrial safety in India is generally regulated under The Factories Act 1948 by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The following agencies also have roles in process safety regulation;
Ireland
Health and safety legislation
The health and safety regulator in Ireland is the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).
Information about the legislation applying in Ireland and guidance to help 'duty holders' comply with it can be found on the HSA web site. The links below lead to some of the most useful pages:
- List of acts and regulations
- Safety, Health and Welfare Act 2005 (No. 10 of 2005)
An Act to make Further Provision for Securing the Safety, Health and Welfare of Persons at Work and for the Enforcement of the Relevant Statutory Provisions, to give Further Effect to Council Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 and Council Directive 91/383/EEC of 25 June 1991, to Continue in Being and Confer Additional Functions on the National Authority for Occupational Safety and Health and Rename that Body as the Health and Safety Authority. - Dangerous Substances Act 1972 (No. 10 of 1972)
An Act to Consolidate, with Amendments, Enactments relating to Explosives, Petroleum and other Dangerous Substances. - Control of Major Accident Hazards involving Dangerous Substances
- The Chemicals Act (Control of Major Accident Hazards Involving Dangerous Substances) Regulations 2015 S.I. No. 209/2015
- A Guide to the Chemicals Act (Control of Major Accident Hazards Involving Dangerous Substances) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 209 of 2015)
Land use planning legislation
- Role of the HSA in Land-use Planning (LUP)
- Policy & Approach of the Health & Safety Authority to COMAH Risk-based Land-use Planning (19 March 2010)
Malaysia
Health and safety legislation
The health and safety regulator in Malaysia is the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH).
Information about the legislation applying in Malaysia and guidance to help 'duty holders' comply with it can be found on the DOSH web site. The links below lead to some of the most useful pages:
- Occupational Safety And Health Act 1994 (Act 514)
- Occupational Safety And Health (Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazards) Regulations 1996
New Zealand
Health and safety legislation
The health and safety regulator in New Zealand is WorkSafe New Zealand.
Information about the legislation applying in New Zealand can be found on the WorkSafe New Zealand web site.
The links below lead to some of the most useful pages:
- Introduction to the HSWA Regulations
- Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
- Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016
- Health and Safety at Work (Major Hazard Facilities) Regulations 2016
- Health and Safety at Work (Petroleum Exploration and Extraction) Regulations 2016
Land use planning legislation
There are no specific requirements for land use planning controls as part of the New Zealand Major Hazard Facilities Regulations and there are no plans to introduce them (as of May 2016). However, the regulations do place requirements on Major Hazard Facility operators and WorkSafe New Zealand to provide general information about Major Hazard Facilities to the local community and public. It is envisaged that this will allow those responsible for planning to have better regard to potential risks from major incidents in existing land use planning considerations.
Singapore
Health and safety legislation
The occupational health and safety regulator in Singapore is the Ministry of Manpower.
Information about the legislation applying in Singapore can be found on the Ministry of Manpower web site.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) also have a role in the assessment of HSE and QRA submissions.
The links below lead to some of the most useful pages:
- Legislation for workplace safety and health
- Workplace Safety and Health Act (Chapter 354A), Revised Edition 2009
South Africa
Health and safety legislation
In South Africa, there are two different health and safety regulatory regimes;
- The Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA) 1996 is managed by the Department of Minerals and Resources
- The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) 1993 is managed by the Department of Labour
The OHSA is supported by regulations for major hazard installations and is followed by most non-mining industries.
There are also specific acts on hazardous substances and explosives.
A range of national standards are available, including;
- SANS 1461:2018 Major hazard installation: Risk assessments
- SANS 1514:2018 Major hazard installation: Emergency response planning
- SANS 310 Storage tank facilities for hazardous chemicals - above-ground storage tank facilities for flammable, combustible and non-flammable chemicals
- SANS 347 Categorization and conformity assessment criteria for all pressure equipment
- SANS 10089-1:2008 The petroleum industry Part 1: Storage and distribution of petroleum products in above-ground bulk installations
-
SANS 10108 The classification of hazardous locations and the selection of equipment for use in such locations
-
SANS 10131:2004 Above-ground storage tanks for petroleum products
- SANS 60079-10-1:2016 Classification of areas - Explosive gas atmospheres
- SANS 60079-10-2:2018 Classification of areas - Combustible dust atmospheres
USA
OSH Act of 1970 an act to assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women; by authorizing enforcement of the standards developed under the Act; by assisting and encouraging the States in their efforts to assure safe and healthful working conditions; by providing for research, information, education, and training in the field of occupational safety and health; and for other purposes.