2006 No. 557

HEALTH AND SAFETY

The Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority for Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems) Regulations 2006

Made2nd March 2006

Laid before Parliament9th March 2006

Coming into force1st April 2006

The Secretary of State makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by—

(a)
sections 15(1), (2), (3) (a) and (c), (4) (a), (5) (b) and 82(3) (a) of, and paragraphs 1(1) (a) and (c), 3(1), 6(2), 7, 8(1), 14, 15(1) and 20 of Schedule 3 to, the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 19741;
(b)
section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 19722; and
(c)
sections 7(1), 9 and 11(1) of the Railways and Transport Safety Act 20033.

In accordance with section 50(1) of the 1974 Act 4 he has consulted the Health and Safety Commission and such other bodies as appears to him to be appropriate.

He is a Minister designated for the purposes of section 2(2) of the 1972 Act in relation to measures relating to the organisation of working time5, to the employment of children and young persons and to railways and railway transport6;

Citation and commencement1.

These Regulations may be cited as the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority for Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems) Regulations 2006 and shall come into force on 1st April 2006.

Interpretation2.

In these Regulations—

“the 1974 Act” means the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974;

“bus” means a motor vehicle which is designed or adapted to travel along roads and to carry more than eight passengers but which is not a tramcar;

“cableway installation” means an installation made up of several components that—

(a)

is used or intended to be used for the purpose of providing an operational system for carrying persons in vehicles, on chairs or by towing devices;

(b)

uses cables positioned along the line of travel to provide suspension or traction or both; and

(c)

is one of the following—

(i)
a cable car (including a gondola and chair lift) where the cabins or chairs are lifted or displaced by one or more carrier cables;
(ii)
a drag lift, where users with appropriate equipment are dragged by means of a cable; or
(iii)
a funicular railway or other installation with vehicles mounted on wheels or on other suspension devices where traction is provided by one or more cables;

but does not include rack railways or cable operated tramways;

“carriageway”—

(a)

in England and Wales, has the same meaning as in section 329(1) of the Highways Act 19807; and

(b)

in Scotland, has the same meaning as in section 151 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 19848;

“construction work” has the same meaning as in regulation 2(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 19949 except that it does not include the installation, commissioning, maintenance, repair or removal of gas services which are normally fixed within or to a structure;

“dock premises” has the same meaning as in regulation 2(1) of the Docks Regulations198810;

“Enforcing Authority Regulations” means the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority) Regulations 199811;

“the Executive” means the Health and Safety Executive;

“factory” means a factory within the meaning of section 175 of the Factories Act 196112 or a power generating station but does not include—

(a)

light maintenance depots;

(b)

any premises forming part of a heritage railway which are used exclusively or primarily for the reconstruction, renovation, refurbishment or repair of vehicles for use on the heritage railway;

(c)

any premises forming part of a heritage tramway which are used exclusively or primarily for the reconstruction, renovation, refurbishment or repair of vehicles for use on the heritage tramway;

(d)

premises owned or operated by, or on behalf of, the Secretary of State for Defence; or

(e)

power generating stations which produce power exclusively for use in a system of transport specified in regulation 3(2);

“guided bus system” means a system of transport, used wholly or mainly for the carriage of passengers, that employs buses which for some or all of the time when they are in operation—

(a)

travel along roads; and

(b)

are guided (whether while on the road or at other times) by means of—

(i)
apparatus, a structure or other device which is fixed and not part of the bus; or
(ii)
a guidance system which is automatic;

“guided transport” means a system of transport, used wholly or mainly for the carriage of passengers, employing vehicles;

“heritage railway” means a railway which is operated to—

(a)

preserve, re-create or simulate railways of the past; or

(b)

demonstrate or operate historical or special types of motive power or rolling stock;

and is exclusively or primarily used for tourist, educational or recreational purposes;

“heritage tramway” means a tramway which is operated to—

(a)

preserve, re-create or simulate tramways of the past; or

(b)

demonstrate or operate historical or special types of motive power or rolling stock;

and is exclusively or primarily used for tourist, educational or recreational purposes;

“infrastructure” means the following fixed assets used for the operation of any system of transport specified in regulation 3(2)—

(a)

the permanent way;

(b)

electrical and mechanical installations used for signalling;

(c)

electrical installations used for supplying power to vehicles; and

(d)

any other plant, equipment or electrical or mechanical installation;

but, where and to the extent that the system is operated on a road, does not include road lighting, road traffic signals and signage or any apparatus located on, under or above the road unless used for the purposes of that system and maintained by the owner, operator or manager of the system or persons acting on behalf of one or more of them;

“intermodal depot” means a freight handling facility which is operated exclusively or primarily for the purpose of transferring containers from railway vehicles onto a different mode of transport or vice versa;

“lift” means an appliance, other than a cableway installation, serving specific levels and having a car moving—

(a)

along guides which are rigid; or

(b)

along a fixed course even where it does not move along guides which are rigid;

and inclined at an angle of more than 15 degrees to the horizontal and intended wholly or mainly for the transport of persons;

“light maintenance depot” means any premises used exclusively or primarily for, or in connection with, the provision of light maintenance services;

“light maintenance services” means services of any of the following descriptions—

(a)

the refuelling of vehicles;

(b)

the cleaning of vehicles; and

(c)

the carrying out to vehicles of maintenance work of a kind which is normally carried out at regular intervals of twelve months or less to prepare the vehicles for service;

and, for the purposes of paragraph (c), “maintenance work” includes the detection and rectification of any faults;

“mine” has the same meaning as in section 180 of the Mines and Quarries Act 195413 but, notwithstanding subsection (5) of that section, does not include any railway serving the mine unless and to the extent that the railway is located within the curtilage of the mine;

“nuclear licensed site” means a site in respect of which a nuclear site licence, within the meaning of section 1(1) of the Nuclear Installations Act 196514, has been granted and is in force;

“operation of a railway” includes, in particular,—

(a)

use, parking, sheltering, maintenance and repair of a vehicle including its inspection, cleaning, fuelling and preparation for use;

(b)

subject to paragraph (k), loading or unloading of goods on or from vehicles at operational premises;

(c)

ensuring the fitness of trains to enter into service, in particular, in the case of freight trains, by checking the condition and distribution of goods carried;

(d)

use of the infrastructure;

(e)

use of those fixed assets of the railway (other than infrastructure) which are both used in its operation and comprise, or are located within, operational premises;

(f)

use of signalling control centres, or centres used for the operation of communications systems or systems used for monitoring the operation of the railway, whether or not within operational premises, together with any railway offices within the same premises;

(g)

training of railway staff within operational premises or other premises included within paragraph (f);

(h)

carrying out construction work to the extent stated in regulation 5; and

(i)

reconstruction, renovation, refurbishment and repair of vehicles for use on a heritage railway carried out at premises used exclusively or primarily for these purposes and which form part of the heritage railway;

but does not include—

(a)
subject to paragraph (f), office activities relating to the railway which are not carried out within operational premises; or
(b)
loading or unloading of goods on or from vehicles at dock premises, intermodal depots or premises owned or operated by, or on behalf of, the Secretary of State for Defence;

“operation of a tramway” and “operation of any other system of guided transport” includes, in particular,—

(a)

use, parking, sheltering, maintenance and repair of vehicles including their inspection, cleaning, fuelling and preparation for use;

(b)

ensuring the fitness of vehicles to enter into service;

(c)

use of the infrastructure;

(d)

use of those fixed assets of the system of transport (other than infrastructure) which are both used in its operation and comprise, or are located within, operational premises;

(e)

use of signalling control centres, or centres used for the operation of communications systems or systems used for monitoring the operation of the system of transport, whether or not within operational premises, together with any offices of the system of transport within the same premises;

(f)

training of staff within operational premises or other premises included within paragraph (e);

(g)

carrying out construction work to the extent stated in regulation 5; and

(h)

in the case of tramways, the reconstruction, renovation, refurbishment and repair of vehicles for use on a heritage tramway carried out at premises used exclusively or primarily for these purposes and which form part of the heritage tramway;

but, subject to paragraph (e), does not include office activities relating to the system of transport which are not carried out within operational premises;

“operational premises” means, in relation to any system of transport specified in regulation 3(2),—

(a)

the permanent way;

(b)

stations;

(c)

light maintenance depots; and

(d)

any land adjacent to or adjoining the permanent way which is used, occupied or held for the purposes of the system;

but does not include—

(a)
parts separately occupied for the carrying on of any trade, business or undertaking other than for the purposes of the system, including shops, offices or premises used for the provision of catering services or temporary residential accommodation; or
(b)
where and to the extent that the system is operated on a road, all other parts of the road including bridges, tunnels, culverts, retaining walls or other structures used or to be used for the support of, or otherwise in connection with, the road;

“the permanent way”, in relation to any system of transport specified in regulation 3(2), means any land or other property comprising the permanent way of the system, taken together with the ballast, sleepers and metals or other means of guidance laid on, under or over it, whether or not the land or other property is also used for other purposes and includes—

(a)

any level crossings, bridges, viaducts, tunnels, culverts, retaining walls or other structures used or to be used for the support of, or otherwise in connection with, the permanent way; and

(b)

any walls, fences or other structures bounding the system or bounding any adjacent or adjoining property;

but does not include—

(a)
any bridge, structure or other property which spans the permanent way and is maintained by persons other than the owner, operator or manager of the system or persons acting on behalf of one or more of them; or
(b)
where and to the extent that the system is operated on a road, all other parts of the road including bridges, tunnels, culverts, retaining walls or other structures used or to be used for the support of, or otherwise in connection with, the road;

“power generating station” means any premises used exclusively or primarily for the purposes of generating electrical energy;

“quarry” has the same meaning as in regulation 3 of the Quarries Regulations 199915;

“railway” means a system of transport employing parallel rails which—

(a)

provide support and guidance for vehicles carried on flanged wheels; and

(b)

form a track which either is of a gauge of at least 350 millimetres or crosses a carriageway (whether or not on the same level);

but does not include a tramway;

“road”—

(a)

in England and Wales, means any length of highway or of any other road to which the public has access, and includes bridges over which a road passes; and

(b)

in Scotland, has the same meaning as in the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984;

“station” means any premises used as, or for the purposes of, or otherwise in connection with, a passenger station or terminal of a system of transport specified in regulation 3(2), (including station offices, ticket offices, left luggage and lost property facilities, approaches, forecourt, car parks and cycle stores), whether or not the premises are also used for other purposes;

“tramway” means a system of transport used wholly or mainly for the carriage of passengers—

(a)

which employs parallel rails which—

(i)
provide support and guidance for vehicles carried on flanged wheels;
(ii)
are laid wholly or partly along a road or in any other place to which the public has access (including a place to which the public has access only on making a payment); and

(b)

on any part of which the permitted maximum speed is such as to enable the driver to stop a vehicle in the distance he can see to be clear ahead;

“vehicle” means any vehicle which for some or all of the time when it is in operation is guided by means of—

(a)

rails, beams, slots, guides or other apparatus, structures or devices which are fixed and not part of the vehicle; or

(b)

a guidance system which is automatic;

and includes a mobile traction unit;

“warehouse premises” means any premises used exclusively or primarily for the storage of goods for retail or wholesale distribution.

Enforcing authority3.

(1)

Subject to paragraphs (3) to (5), the Office of Rail Regulation shall be responsible for the enforcement of the relevant statutory provisions 16 to the extent that they relate to any activity specified in paragraph (2) (whether or not that activity is the main activity carried out in premises).

(2)

Subject to regulations 4 and 5, the activities referred to in paragraph (1) are the following—

(a)

the operation of a railway;

(b)

the operation of a tramway; and

(c)

the operation of any other system of guided transport.

(3)

The Office of Rail Regulation shall be responsible for the enforcement of subsections (1), (2), (4) and (5) of section 6 of the 1974 Act (general duties of manufacturers etc as regards articles and substances for use at work) 17 but only in so far as their requirements relate to any—

(a)

articles for use at work which are designed, manufactured, imported or supplied, or

(b)

substances which are manufactured, imported or supplied,

to be used exclusively or primarily in the construction or operation of any system of transport specified in paragraph (2).

(4)

The Office of Rail Regulation shall be responsible for the enforcement of subsection (3) of section 6 of the 1974 Act18 but only in so far as its requirements relate to the erection or installation of any articles for use at work which are to be used in the operation of any system of transport specified in paragraph (2).

(5)

This regulation shall have effect subject to regulation 58(5) of the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2004 (defence and enforcement) 19.

(6)

This regulation shall have effect notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the following provisions of the Enforcing Authority Regulations—

(a)

regulation 3;

(b)

paragraphs (1) and (2) of regulation 4 but only in so far as they relate to the bodies specified in paragraph (3) (a), (b) and (h) of that regulation;

(c)

regulation 4(4)(a); and

(d)

regulation 4(4)(b) but only in so far as it relates to the activity specified in paragraph 4(a) of Schedule 2;

or in any transfer or assignment pursuant to regulations 5 or 6 of those Regulations.

Exceptions4.

(1)

The activities specified in regulation 3(2) do not include the operation of—

(a)

a cableway installation; or

(b)

any fairground equipment20.

(2)

The systems of guided transport specified in regulation 3(2) (c) do not include—

(a)

a guided bus system;

(b)

any other system of guided transport that employs vehicles which for some or all of the time when they are in operation travel along roads; or

(c)

a lift, unless it is used in the operation of any system of transport specified in regulation 3(2).

(3)

The operation of a system of transport specified in regulation 3(2) does not include such an operation carried out within—

(a)

dock premises which are within premises referred to in any of sub-paragraphs (c) to (h);

(b)

any other dock premises unless—

(i)

the system of transport operated is part of a system which is operated outside the dock premises; and

(ii)

the operation is for the purpose of or related to the carriage of passengers or goods to or from the dock premises by that system;

(c)

an establishment to which the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 199921 applies;

(d)

a factory;

(e)

a mine;

(f)

a nuclear licensed site;

(g)

a quarry; or

(h)

warehouse premises.

(4)

Notwithstanding paragraph (3), the Office of Rail Regulation shall be responsible for the enforcement of orders made under section 1 of the Level Crossings Act 198322 whether or not a level crossing to which such an order relates is within any premises referred to in paragraph (3).

(5)

The activities specified in regulation 3(2) do not include the undertaking of any work which is prohibited by the Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 198323 from being carried out by any employer or self employed person without a licence granted under regulation 4 of those Regulations relating to that work.

Construction work5.

(1)

Without prejudice to regulation 4(5), in paragraph (2) of regulation 3 “operation” includes the carrying out of construction work if—

(a)

it relates to the maintenance, repair, renewal or improvement of infrastructure; or

(b)

subject to paragraph (2), it is carried out within operational premises and relates to the maintenance, repair, renewal or improvement of any fixed assets other than infrastructure.

(2)

Paragraph (1) (b) does not include construction work—

(a)

where—

(i)

regulation 7(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994 (which requires notice to be given of projects which include or are intended to include construction work ) applies to the project which includes that work; and

(ii)

it is carried out in a physically segregated area of the operational premises, the activities normally carried out in that area, if any, have been suspended for the purpose of enabling that work to be carried out, the contractor has authority to exclude from that area persons who are not attending in connection with the carrying out of that work and the work is not the maintenance of insulation on pipes, boilers or other parts of heating or water systems or its removal from them; or

(b)

where carried out in relation to any bridge, structure or other property which spans or is adjacent to operational premises by persons other than the owner, operator or manager of the system of transport or persons acting on behalf of one or more of them .

(3)

The reference to “improvement” in paragraph (1) (a) does not include construction work for the extension of an existing system of transport.

Amendments6.

The enactments referred to in the Schedule are amended in accordance with the provisions of the Schedule.

Transitional provisions7.

(1)

In this regulation—

(a)

“functions” means the functions transferred to the Office of Rail Regulation by these Regulations; and

(b)

“transfer” means the transfer referred to in sub-paragraph (a).

(2)

Anything done by, or in relation to, the Executive in relation to the functions which has effect at the date of the coming into force of these Regulations shall, so far as necessary or appropriate for the purposes of, or in consequence of, the transfer, have effect as if done by, or in relation to, the Office of Rail Regulation.

(3)

There may be continued by, or in relation to, the Office of Rail Regulation anything (including legal proceedings) relating to the functions which is in the process of being done by, or in relation to, the Executive immediately before the coming into force of these Regulations.

(4)

Any reference to the Executive in any document relating to the functions shall be taken, so far as necessary or appropriate for the purposes of, or in consequence of, the transfer, as a reference to the Office of Rail Regulation.

(5)

The transfer does not affect the validity of anything done by, or in relation to, the Executive before the coming into force of these Regulations.

(6)

In this regulation a reference to the Executive, or to the Office of Rail Regulation, includes respectively a reference to an officer of that body, including any inspector appointed by it, so far as necessary or appropriate for the purposes of, or in consequence of, the transfer.

(7)

If and in so far as immediately before the coming into force of these Regulations any of the functions are held by a local authority pursuant to any transfer or assignment made under regulations 5 or 6 of the Enforcing Authority Regulations, paragraphs (2) to (6) of this regulation shall have effect as if any reference to the “Executive” were a reference to a local authority.

Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport

Derek Twigg

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State

2nd March 2006

SCHEDULEAMENDMENT OF ENACTMENTS

Regulation 6

Amendments to the Transport and Works Act 1992

1. (1)

The Transport and Works Act 199224 is amended as follows.

(2)

In section 41 ( approval of works, plant and equipment)—

(a)

in subsection (1), for “his approval” substitute “the approval of a specified authority”;

(b)

in paragraph (c) of subsection (2), for “Secretary of State”25 substitute “specified authority”;

(c)

in subsection (3)—

(i)

for “Secretary of State” substitute “specified authority”; and

(ii)

for “he” substitute “it”; and

(d)

in subsection (7), after the definition of “prescribed systems of guided transport” insert—

““specified authority” means such authority as may be specified in regulations under this section .”.

(3)

In section 45 ( directions limiting speeds and loads)—

(a)

in subsection (1), for “Secretary of State”26 substitute “relevant enforcing authority”;

(b)

in subsection (4)—

(i)

for “Secretary of State” substitute “relevant enforcing authority”; and

(ii)

for “he” substitute “that authority”; and

(c)

after subsection (6) insert—

“(7)
In this section “relevant enforcing authority” means the enforcing authority responsible for the enforcement of the relevant statutory provisions in relation to the mode of transport to which the direction applies.
(8)
In subsection (7)—
“enforcing authority” has the same meaning as in section 18(7) (a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974;
“relevant statutory provisions” has the same meaning as in that Act.”.

Amendments to the Railways and Other Transport Systems (Approval of Works, Plant and Equipment) Regulations 1994

2. (1)

The Railways and Other Transport Systems (Approval of Works, Plant and Equipment) Regulations 199427 are amended as follows.

(2)

For “Secretary of State”, wherever occurring, substitute “relevant authority”.

(3)

In regulation 2(a) ( interpretation)—

(a)

after the definition of “prescribed system of guided transport” insert—

““relevant authority” means—
(a)
the Office of Rail Regulation where it is made responsible for the enforcement of the relevant statutory provisions in relation to the operation of a relevant transport system by regulation 3(1) of the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority for Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems) Regulations 2006; and
(b)
the Health and Safety Executive in any other case;”;

(b)

after the definition of “relevant operational limitation” insert—

““the relevant statutory provisions” has the same meaning as in section 53 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974;”; and

(c)

in the definition of “relevant transport system”, omit “, a trolley vehicle system”.

(4)

In regulation 4(2)(b) (requirement for approval), omit “or because it is a vehicle operating on a trolley vehicle system,”.

(5)

In regulation 5 (procedure for obtaining approval)—

(a)

in paragraph (3) for each reference to “he” or “him” substitute “it”; and

(b)

in paragraph (4) for “he” substitute “it” and for “himself” substitute “itself”.

(6)

In regulation 6(4) (type approval of plant and equipment), for “he” substitute “it”.

(7)

In sub-paragraphs (1)(b) and (2)(b) of regulation 10 (dispensations), for each reference to “he” substitute “it”.

(8)

In sub-paragraphs (1)(b) and (2)(b) of regulation 11 (compliance with provisions not otherwise applicable), for each reference to “he” substitute “it”.

(9)

In Schedule 1 ( prescribed modes of guided transport)—

(a)

in Part I (The Modes), omit modes numbered 3 to 5; and

(b)

in paragraph 1 of Part II (interpretation), omit the definitions of “road-based with cable guidance”, “road-based with rail guidance” and “road-based with side guidance”.

Amendments to the Railways (Safety Critical Work) Regulations 1994

3.

In regulation 2(1) of the Railways (Safety Critical Work) Regulations 199428 (interpretation), for the definition of “the Executive” substitute—

““the Executive” means—
(a)
the Office of Rail Regulation where it is made the enforcing authority in relation to the operation of a transport system by regulation 3(1) of the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority for Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems) Regulations 2006; and
(b)
the Health and Safety Executive in any other case;”.

Amendments to the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994

4. (1)

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 199429 are amended as follows.

(2)

After regulation 4(6) (clients and agents of clients) insert—

“(7)
In so far as the project includes construction work of a description for which the Office of Rail Regulation is made the enforcing authority by regulation 3(1) of the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority for Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems) Regulations 2006, paragraphs (3) to (5) of this regulation shall have effect as if any reference to the Executive were a reference to the Office of Rail Regulation.”.

(3)

After regulation 7(6) (notification of a project) insert—

“(7)
In so far as the project includes construction work of a description for which the Office of Rail Regulation is made the enforcing authority by regulation 3(1) of the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority for Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems) Regulations 2006, paragraphs (1) and (2) of this regulation shall have effect as if any reference to the Executive were a reference to the Office of Rail Regulation.”.

(4)

For regulation 22 (enforcement) substitute—

“Enforcement22.
(1)
Notwithstanding regulation 3 of the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority) Regulations 1998, and subject to paragraph (2), the enforcing authority for these Regulations shall be the Executive.
(2)
The Executive shall not be the enforcing authority for these Regulations to the extent that the Office of Rail Regulation is made the enforcing authority for them by regulation 3(1) of the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority for Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems) Regulations 2006.”.

Amendments to the Railway Safety (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 1997

5. (1)

The Railway Safety (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 199730 are amended as follows.

(2)

In regulation 2(1) ( interpretation), after the definition of “railway” insert—

““relevant authority” means—
(a)
the Office of Rail Regulation where it is made the enforcing authority in relation to the operation of a transport system by regulation 3(1) of the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority for Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems) Regulations 2006; and
(b)
the Health and Safety Executive in any other case;”.

(3)

In regulation 8 (exemptions), for “Health and Safety Executive”, wherever occurring, substitute “relevant authority”.

(4)

Omit regulation 10(1) (transfer of functions from the Secretary of State to the Health and Safety Executive).

Amendments to the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority) Regulations 1998

6. (1)

The Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority) Regulations 199831 are amended as follows.

(2)

In regulation 2(1) (interpretation)—

(a)

after the definition of “agricultural activities” insert—

““bus” means a motor vehicle which is designed or adapted to travel along roads and to carry more than eight passengers but which is not a tramcar;”;

(b)

after the definition of “gas system” insert—

““guided bus system” means a system of transport, used wholly or mainly for the carriage of passengers, that employs buses which for some or all of the time when they are in operation—
(a)
travel along roads; and
(b)
are guided (whether while on the road or at other times) by means of—
(i)
apparatus, a structure or other device which is fixed and not part of the bus; or
(ii)
a guidance system which is automatic;
“guided transport” means a system of transport, used wholly or mainly for the carriage of passengers, employing vehicles which for some or all of the time when they are in operation are guided by means of—
(a)
rails, beams, slots, guides or other apparatus, structures or devices which are fixed and not part of the vehicle; or
(b)
a guidance system which is automatic;
and for this purpose “vehicle” includes a mobile traction unit;;”;

(c)

in the definition of “mine” after “1954” insert—

“but, notwithstanding subsection (5) of that section, does not include any railway serving the mine unless and to the extent that the railway is located within the curtilage of the mine;”;

(d)

omit the definition of “prescribed system of guided transport”;

(e)

for the definition of “railway” substitute—

““railway” means any system of transport the operation of which is specified in regulation 3(2) of the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority for Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems) Regulations 2006;”;

(f)

after the definition of “railway” insert—

““road”—
(a)
in England and Wales, means any length of highway or of any other road to which the public has access, and includes bridges over which a road passes; and
(b)
in Scotland, has the same meaning as in the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984;”; and

(g)

after the definition of “substances dangerous for supply” insert—

““trolley vehicle system” means a system of transport by vehicles constructed or adapted for use on roads without rails under electric power transmitted to them by overhead wires (whether or not there is in addition a source of power on board the vehicles);”.

(3)

In regulation 3(6) (local authorities to be enforcing authorities in certain cases), for “Executive” substitute “Office of Rail Regulation”.

(4)

In Schedule 2 (activities in respect of which the Health and Safety Executive is the enforcing authority)—

(a)

for paragraph 12 substitute—

“12.
The operation of—
(a)
a guided bus system; or
(b)
any other system of guided transport, other than a railway, that employs vehicles which for some or all of the time when they are in operation travel along roads.”; and

(b)

after paragraph 12 insert—

“13.
The operation of a trolley vehicle system.”.

Amendments to the Working Time Regulations 1998

7.

Regulation 28 of the Working Time Regulations 199832 (enforcement) is amended as follows—

(a)

in paragraph (1) in the definition of “enforcement authority”, for “or VOSA” substitute “,VOSA or the Office of Rail Regulation”;

(b)

in paragraph (2)—

(i)

at the end of sub-paragraph (b) omit “or”; and

(ii)

after sub-paragraph (c) insert—

“(d)
the Office of Rail Regulation is made responsible for their enforcement by paragraph (3A).”; and

(c)

after paragraph (3) insert—

“(3A)
Where the relevant requirements apply in relation to workers employed in the carrying out of any of the activities specified in regulation 3(2) of the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority for Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems) Regulations 2006 it shall be the duty of the Office of Rail Regulation to enforce those requirements.”.

Amendments to the Railway Safety Regulations 1999

8. (1)

The Railway Safety Regulations 199933 are amended as follows.

(2)

In regulation 2(1) (interpretation)—

(a)

in paragraph (b) of the definition of “excessive speed”, for “Executive” substitute “relevant authority”; and

(b)

after the definition of “relevant approach” insert—

““relevant authority” means—
(a)
the Office of Rail Regulation where it is made the enforcing authority in relation to the operation of a railway by regulation 3(1) of the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority for Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems) Regulations 2006; and
(b)
the Health and Safety Executive in any other case;”.

(3)

In regulation 6 (exemption certificates), for “Executive”, wherever occurring, substitute “relevant authority”.

Amendments to the Railways (Safety Case) Regulations 2000

9.

In regulation 2(1) of the Railways (Safety Case) Regulations 200034 (interpretation), for the definition of “the Executive” substitute—

““the Executive” means—
(a)
except in regulation 16, the Office of Rail Regulation where it is made the enforcing authority in relation to the operation of a railway by regulation 3(1) of the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority for Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems) Regulations 2006; and
(b)
the Health and Safety Executive in any other case and in regulation 16;”.

Amendment to the Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2001

10.

After regulation 18 of the Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 200135 (modifications relating to the Ministry of Defence etc) insert—

“Modifications relating to the Office of Rail Regulation18A.
(1)
Subject to paragraph (2), in so far as these Regulations apply to, or in connection with, any activities in relation to which the Office of Rail Regulation is made the enforcing authority by regulation 3(1) of the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority for Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems) Regulations 2006, they shall have effect as if any reference to the Executive were a reference to the Office of Rail Regulation.
(2)
Paragraph (1) shall not apply to—
(a)
the definition of “the Executive” in regulation 2(1) (interpretation);
(b)
regulation 20 ( transitional provisions); or
(c)
note 6 at the end of Part 1 of Schedule 4 (specified quantities for the transport of radionuclides).”.

Amendment to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002

11.

After regulation 16 of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 200236 (exemptions relating to the Ministry of Defence etc) insert—

“Modifications relating to the Office of Rail Regulation16A.
(1)
In so far as these Regulations apply to, or in connection with, any activities in relation to which the Office of Rail Regulation is made the enforcing authority by regulation 3(1) of the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority for Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems) Regulations 2006, they shall have effect as if any reference to the Executive in the provisions specified in paragraph (2) were a reference to the Office of Rail Regulation.
(2)
The provisions referred to in paragraph (1) are as follows—
(a)
regulation 10 (7) (b) (monitoring exposure at the workplace);
(b)
regulation 11 (4) (b) (health surveillance); and
(c)
regulation 18 (revocation and savings).”.

Amendments to the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2004

12. (1)

The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 200437 are amended as follows.

(2)

In regulation 58(4) (defence and enforcement), for “paragraph (5)” substitute “paragraphs (5) and (6)”.

(3)

After paragraph 58(5)38 insert—

“(6)
The Executive shall not be the enforcing authority for these Regulations to the extent that the Office of Rail Regulation is made the enforcing authority for them by regulation 3(1) of the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority for Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems) Regulations 2006.”.

Amendment to the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005

13.

In regulation 2(1) of the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 200539 (interpretation), for the definition of “enforcing authority” substitute—

““enforcing authority” means the Executive, local authority or Office of Rail Regulation, determined in accordance with the provisions of the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority) Regulations 1998 and the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority for Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems) Regulations 2006;”.

Amendment to the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005

14.

In regulation 2(1) of the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 200540 (interpretation), for the definition of “enforcing authority” substitute—

““enforcing authority” means the Executive, local authority or Office of Rail Regulation, determined in accordance with the provisions of the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority) Regulations 1998 and the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority for Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems) Regulations 2006;”.

Amendment to the Railways (Accident Investigation and Reporting) Regulations 2005

15.

In regulation 2(1) of the Railways (Accident Investigation and Reporting) Regulations 200541 (interpretation), in the definition of “safety authority”, for “Health and Safety Executive” substitute “Office of Rail Regulation”.

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations make the Office of Rail Regulation (“ORR”) responsible for the enforcement of health and safety law in relation to the operation of railways, tramways and certain other systems of guided transport in place of the Health and Safety Executive (“HSE”), (i.e. the enforcement of Part 1 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (“the 1974 Act”), regulations made under section 15 and certain “existing statutory provisions” as defined in section 53 of the 1974 Act, as extended in scope by section 117 of the Railways Act 1993). Thus the ORR will be the “enforcing authority” for these purposes within the meaning of section 18(7) of the 1974 Act, (regulation 3).

The ORR is also made the enforcing authority for the purposes of the provisions in section 6 of the 1974 Act, (general duties of manufacturers etc as regards articles and substances for use at work), in so far as they relate to articles designed, manufactured, imported or supplied, (or substances manufactured, imported or supplied), to be used exclusively or primarily in such systems of transport, (or, in the case of section 6(3)), in so far as they relate to the erection or installation of articles for use at work in the operation of such systems of transport), (regulation 3(3) and (4)).

Its remit as enforcing authority is made subject to certain exceptions, as listed in regulation 4. But regulation 4(4) provides that, notwithstanding these exceptions, the ORR will be the enforcing authority for orders made under section 1 of the Level Crossings Act 1983.

Regulation 5 specifies the extent to which the enforcing authority remit of the ORR will include the enforcement of health and safety law in relation to construction work.

Regulation 7 sets out transitional provisions in relation to the handover of these functions from the HSE to the ORR.

The Schedule amends various enactments, to make consequential provision and to substitute the ORR for the HSE, to such extent as appropriate, for the exercise of certain functions and for related purposes connected with heath and safety on relevant systems of transport.

In addition, paragraph 1 of the Schedule enables the Secretary of State, in any regulations he may make under section 41 of the Transport and Works Act 1992, (“the 1992 Act”), to designate such authorities as he may specify to approve, in relation to certain transport systems, new works, plant or equipment, (or alterations to them). Also it provides that the power under section 45 of the 1992 Act to give directions limiting speeds and loads, in relation to certain transport systems, is to be exercised by the enforcing authority for the mode of transport to which the direction relates.

Paragraph 2 of the Schedule amends the existing regulations made under section 41 of the 1992 Act, (the Railways and Other Transport Systems (Approval of Works, Plant and Equipment) Regulations 1994), to remove trolley vehicle systems and certain road based systems of guided transport from their scope, as well as to substitute the ORR for the HSE for certain purposes.

Paragraph 6 of the Schedule, in addition to making consequential amendments, amends the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority) Regulations 1998 to make the HSE the enforcing authority for the operation of guided bus systems, any other road based systems of guided transport, (other than tramways), and trolley vehicle systems, in place of being the enforcing authority for the operation of railways, tramways and certain other forms of guided transport.

A regulatory impact assessment of the effect that this instrument will have on the costs of business has been prepared and copies can be obtained from the Department for Transport, Great Minister House, 76 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DR. A copy has been placed in the Library of each House of Parliament.

A copy of the regulatory impact assessment may also be accessed on the HMSO website www.opsi.gov.uk.