Some regulations apply across all companies, such as the

Manual Handling Regulations which apply wherever

things are moved by hand or bodily force, and the

Display Screen Equipment Regulations which apply

wherever VDUs are used. Other regulations apply to

hazards unique to specific industries, such as mining or

nuclear.

HSC will where appropriate propose regulations in goal-

setting form: that is, setting out what must be achieved,

but not how it must be done.

Sometimes it is necessary to be prescriptive, that is spelling

out in detail what should be done. Some standards are

absolute. For example, all mines should have two exits;

contacts with live electrical conductors should be avoided.

Sometimes European law requires prescription.

Some activities or substances are so inherently hazardous

that they require licensing, for example explosives and

asbestos removal. Certain big and complex installations or

operations require `safety cases', which are large-scale risk

assessments subject to scrutiny by the regulator. For

example, railway companies are required to produce

safety cases for their operations.

As mentioned above, HSC consults widely with those

affected by its proposals.