The Six Pack Health and Safety Regulations Explained

Quick Summary

• The "six pack" is the common name for six sets of health and safety regulations that came into force in the early 1990s
• They cover risk management, the workplace, work equipment, manual handling, protective equipment and display screen equipment
• Some have since been replaced or amended, for example the Management Regulations, now the 1999 version
• If your employer broke one of these duties and you were injured as a result, it can be relevant to an accident at work claim
• This guide covers England, Wales and Scotland

What are the six pack regulations?

The "six pack" is shorthand for six sets of regulations that sit beneath the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and explain what employers must do in practice:

1. Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (now the 1999 regulations): employers must assess risks, plan, train staff and appoint competent people
2. Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992: covers the working environment, such as ventilation, temperature, lighting, floors, workstations, drinking water and welfare facilities
3. Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER): work equipment must be suitable, maintained, inspected where needed, and used with proper training
4. Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992: avoid hazardous manual handling where reasonably practicable, assess what cannot be avoided, and reduce the risk of injury
5. Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992: where risks cannot be controlled in other ways, employers must provide suitable PPE free of charge and make sure it is used correctly
6. Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992: workstation assessment, breaks and eye tests for people who use screens regularly

You can find the regulations and guidance on the Health and Safety Executive website.

How can a breach support a claim?

An accident at work claim is usually brought in negligence, and a breach of one of these duties can help show that the employer did not take reasonable care. Examples include:

• A slip on an unmaintained floor (workplace regulations)
• A machine injury where equipment was not guarded or maintained (PUWER)
• A back injury from heavy lifting with no assessment or training (manual handling)
• A chemical or noise injury where PPE was not provided (PPE regulations)
• Strain injuries from an unassessed workstation (display screen equipment)
• No risk assessment at all (management regulations)

A breach on its own is not enough. You also need to show that it caused your injury, which is why evidence of what happened matters.

Which regulation applies to my accident?

Frequently asked questions

Are the six pack regulations still in force?

Yes, although some have been amended and the Management Regulations were replaced by the 1999 version. Check current wording on legislation.gov.uk.

Do they apply to all employers?

They apply to employers in Great Britain, with some exceptions and different rules in certain sectors. The HSE guidance explains how they apply.

Can I claim if my employer broke a regulation but I was not badly hurt?

Compensation depends on the injury and its effects. A breach alone does not create a claim without an injury caused by it.

How long do I have to claim?

The usual personal-injury time limit is three years from the accident or from when you first knew the injury was significant. See our time limits guide.

Injured because safety rules were not followed?

A specialist solicitor can look at what your employer should have done and whether a claim may be possible.

Free case assessment

Or call 01228 272395 to speak to Edward & Amaury Solicitors (SRA number: 800525). No upfront cost and nothing to pay if your claim does not succeed.