Legal and other requirements are the statutory duties and additional commitments that apply to an organisation’s activities, workplaces, people, equipment and services. They include health and safety legislation, regulations, and permits, as well as contractual conditions, internal policies, recognised standards, codes of practice and commitments made to employees, clients and other interested parties.
Identifying which requirements are applicable and maintaining them in a controlled register helps the organisation understand its duties, assign responsibilities, communicate relevant information and retain evidence of review.
A current register also supports legal compliance, improves accountability and audit readiness, and enables changes in legislation, operations, contracts or stakeholder expectations to be recognised and acted upon promptly.
By recording how each requirement applies, what must be communicated and who is responsible, the register helps shape the H&SMS around the organisation’s actual risk profile and operational needs rather than a generic framework. This information informs risk assessments, objectives, procedures, competence, monitoring and assurance, helping hazards to be identified, eliminated where possible and any remaining risks to be reduced and controlled through effective preventive and protective measures. Consequently, the most effective H&SMS are aligned to the legal and other requirements of the organisation.
Written by Daniel Prosser, MSc CMIOSH L4DipFRA OSHCR
Health, Safety and Wellbeing Professional