Operational guidance

This category makes available the current internal instructions and guidance that HSE uses to carry out its core operational work of inspecting, investigating, permissioning and enforcing.

The material is presented here essentially in the same way as it is made available to HSE staff but with some additional explanation for an external audience.

HSE tries to keep its internal instructions and guidance under regular review but it is a big task. Not all the material presented here is completely up to date but it is all useful. HSE staff understand the context in which they are working and are able to interpret appropriately current material that would benefit from some revision.

Not all of HSE's internal instructions and guidance are open documents. All the fully open material is available on this site.

• Class 0: Operations Group (OG)
• Class 1: Field Operations Directorate (FOD)
• Class 2: Hazardous Installations Directorate (HID)
• Class 3: Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR)
• Class 4: Railway Inspectorate (HMRI)
• Class 5: Sector Information Minutes (SIMs)

Class 0: Operations Group (OG)

Operations Group includes FOD, HID & NSD. These operational procedures apply across Operations Group

• Operational procedures
  • Inspection
  • Investigation
  • Complaints (OG Procedures)
  • Enforcement decision
  • Notice
  • Prosecution
  • Major incident

Class 1: Field Operations Directorate (FOD)

FOD is the largest operational inspectorate in HSE and covers many employment sectors including construction, agriculture, general manufacturing, engineering, food and drink, quarries, entertainment, education, health services, local and central government and domestic gas safety.

• Operational Circulars (OCs) - OCs are arranged alphabetically according to a topic classification system
• Operational Minutes (OMs) - OMs are arranged according to the year in which they were published
• FOD Procedures
  • Includes:
    • Asbestos Licence Amendment, Assessment and Revocation Guide (ALAARG)
    • Contacting new to FOD businesses

Class 2: Hazardous Installations Directorate (HID)

HID is responsible for regulating and promoting improvements in health and safety, contributing to the overall HSC/E aim of reducing and controlling the major hazard risks present, across the following high hazard industries and sectors: chemical manufacture and storage; gas storage and transportation; offshore oil and gas extraction; mining; diving; explosives; and biological agents.

• HID Permanent Manuals - Classified under: · Enforcement· Permissioning· Technical
• HID semi-permanent circulars - Classified under:· Enforcement· Permissioning· Technical
• HID short life circulars - These are relatively few in number and have a life span of 6 months or less

Class 3: Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR)

From 18 October 2011, internal instructions and guidance can be found on the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) website.

Please go to the Office for Nuclear Regulation website for more information.

Class 4: Railway Inspectorate (HMRI)

On 1 April 2006, responsibility for health and safety policy and enforcement on the railways transferred from HSC/E to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).

Please go to the Office of Rail and Road website for more information.

Class 5: Sector Information Minutes (SIMs)

Sectors produce internal instructions & guidance in the form of Sector Information Minutes (SIMs).

• Agriculture & Food
• Construction
• Manufacturing
• STSU - Services, Transport and Safety Unit (formerly CACTUS)
• Public Services