Health and Safety Information for Employees Regulations 1989
SI 1989/682•Status:CurrentAt a Glance
- Date Enacted
- 11 April 1989
- Enforcing Body
- HSE
- Maximum Penalty
- Unlimited
- Jurisdiction
- England, Wales, Scotland
- Citation
- SI 1989/682
- Status
- Current
What This Means for You
The Health and Safety Information for Employees Regulations 1989 (HSIER) (SI 1989/682) mandates employers to provide their employees with comprehensible information about health and safety risks and preventative measures in the workplace. While not solely focused on signage, it forms a crucial foundation for its effective implementation. The regulations require employers to inform employees about potential hazards, risks identified by risk assessments, and control measures in place to mitigate those risks. This includes providing information on emergency procedures, first aid arrangements, and the roles and responsibilities of individuals with specific health and safety duties. The regulations necessitate that this information is readily accessible, easily understood, and regularly updated. Effective safety signage, therefore, becomes a vital tool for conveying this information clearly and concisely. The HSIER ensures that employees are aware of the health and safety risks they face and the precautions they need to take, contributing to a safer working environment. It indirectly impacts signage by requiring employers to consider it as a method of delivering essential health and safety information.
Key Provisions
Regulation 4Provision of informationHSE law poster must be displayed
HSE law poster must be displayed
Regulation 4 - Provision of information
HSE law poster must be displayed
Signage Requirements
- Signage must be used to supplement other forms of communication to ensure information is readily accessible.
- Signage must be clear, concise, and easily understood by all employees, regardless of their language skills or literacy levels.
- Signage must be maintained in good condition and replaced when damaged or illegible.
- Signage should be used to identify hazards, warn of risks, and provide instructions on safe working practices.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Failure to provide adequate information to employees about health and safety risks.
- Using signage that is unclear, ambiguous, or difficult to understand.
- Not maintaining signage in good condition.
- Failure to update signage when risks or control measures change.
Practical Next Steps
- 1Conduct regular risk assessments to identify hazards and determine the appropriate signage requirements.
- 2Consult with employees when selecting and implementing signage to ensure it is effective and easily understood.
- 3Provide training to employees on the meaning and importance of safety signage.
- 4Regularly inspect and maintain signage to ensure it remains in good condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What information must employers provide to employees under HSIER?
Does HSIER specifically require the use of safety signage?
How often should safety information be updated?
Official Resources
Related Regulations
Workplace Regulations 1992
Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
Part of the 'Six Pack'. Covers physical workplace environment including lighting (relevant to sign visibility).
L24Workplace health, safety and welfareView Full DetailsPPE Regulations 1992
Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended 2022)
Part of the 'Six Pack'. Covers PPE provision. Mandatory signs indicate PPE requirements.
L25Personal protective equipment at workView Full DetailsManual Handling Regulations 1992
Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
Part of the 'Six Pack'. Covers lifting and carrying. Warning signs may indicate heavy loads.
L23Manual handlingView Full DetailsDSE Regulations 1992
Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992
Part of the 'Six Pack'. Covers computer workstations. Limited direct signage requirements.
L26Work with display screen equipmentView Full Details
