The construction industry is controlled by a variety of regulations and the requirement to hold specific licences or permits to legally carry out certain types of work. An overview of these licences, permits and regulations is given below.
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Licences and Permits
Asbestos Licence: To carry out work that involves asbestos you must obtain a licence from the Health & Safety Executive. For further information visit the Health & Safety Executive website at http://www.hse.gov.uk.
Builders Skip Permit: If you are a builder and wish to put a skip on a public highway you must obtain consent from the local authority. If you have obtained the skip from a supplier they must obtain permission. For details of the appropriate authority visit the Directgov website at http://www.direct.gov.uk.
How Water Boiler Standards: Anybody marketing or installing a new boiler must ensure that the product meets the minimum thermal efficiency limits and is correctly labelled. There are certain exclusions from the legislation as well as guidelines identifying the type of boilers that are applicable to the regulations. Full details can be found on the Department of Trade and Industry website at http://www.dti.gov.uk/files/file11281.pdf.
Oil and Gas Fire Safety: The installation of used gas fires and new and used oil fires is regulated by the British Standard 1945. Full details can be found on the British Standards website at http://www.bsi-global.com.
Scaffolding Consent: To erect scaffolding on a public highway you must obtain consent from the local authority. For details of the appropriate authority visit the Directgov website at http://www.direct.gov.uk.
Management Licence (refrigerators:) To collect and store end-of-life refrigerators you need a licence from the Environment Agency in England and Wales http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk or the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) http://www.sepa.org.uk.
Regulations
Building Regulations: Certain types of building work must comply with Building Regulations. Applications must be made to the local Building Control department if necessary and a scheme for self-certification is available to approved contractors. In England and Wales electrical contractors are required to comply with Part P of the Building Regulations. For further information see the Directgov website (for England and Wales) at http://www.direct.gov.uk or the Scottish Building Standards Agency at http://www.sbsa.gov.uk.
Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989: You must provide head protection for working on site and ensure that it is worn. Employees have a duty to wear the head protection provided and self-employed workers must provide their own if necessary.
Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996: Employers have general duties to provide safe access to the workplace, good maintenance and stability of structures and the provision of welfare facilities.
Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005: Employers must assess the risk to employees who use equipment or drive vehicles that may contribute to 'hand-arm vibration' or 'whole body vibration'. Assessments must be reviewed on a regular basis and should employees be exposed to levels above the accepted limit immediate action must be taken to reduce this exposure. If levels are within the accepted range employers must continually check these levels, monitor those employees for signs of health problems and provide training on any health risks.
Gas Appliances (Safety) Regulations 1995: Any new appliances supplied must be appropriately assessed and marked to ensure safety. Second hand appliances must comply with the Gas Cooking Appliances (Safety) Regulations 1989. Trading Standards regulate the supply of these goods. For more information visit the Trading Standards website at http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk.
Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998: If you work on or install gas appliances or fittings in domestic or commercial premises you must be on the Gas Safe Register. For more information about the Gase Safe Register scheme visit the Gas Safe Register website at https://engineers.gassaferegister.co.uk.
Noise at Work Regulations 1989: If noise levels in the workplace are above 85 decibels on a daily basis then hearing protection must be offered to employees, an assessment of noise levels carried out and training on recognising health risks made available. If levels are above 90 decibels then hearing protection must be compulsory for workers and efforts to reduce noise should be put in place.
Work at Heights Regulations 2005: Employers must ensure that if any work takes place above or below ground level there is adequate supervision, training of employees to ensure competence, assessment of risk and any equipment needed is provided and maintained.