Construction (Head Protection) Regulations

[edit] Key takeaways

These regulations mandated employers to provide and ensure the wearing of suitable head protection on construction sites. The primary duty was to assess the risk of head injury and act unless no foreseeable risk existed. Site controllers had to implement written rules, and Sikhs who wear turbans were exempt. The regulations were revoked in 2013, with their requirements now covered under broader PPE legislation.

[edit] Background

The Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989 were introduced to safeguard workers on construction and engineering sites from head injuries. The rules required that employers or self-employed persons provide suitable head protection—typically safety helmets—whenever there was a foreseeable risk to the head. Those in control of a site were responsible for establishing written rules to enforce helmet use and ensuring compliance by everyone on site. Notably, there was an exemption for Sikhs wearing turbans, acknowledging religious requirements while upholding broader site safety obligations.

These regulations came into force on 30 March 1990 but were repealed on 6 April 2013. The Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Repeals, Revocations and Amendments) Regulations 2013 removed the 1989 rules, as their requirements had become redundant—covered instead by the more general Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended) and other construction regulations.

Under the 1989 regulations, the safety helmet had to be maintained, replaced as necessary, and worn correctly according to the site rules. The employer or site manager had to actively enforce these provisions. The turban-wearing Sikh exemption applied only to head protection; individuals still had to comply with other PPE requirements.

Today, although the 1989 Regulations are no longer in effect, the obligation to provide and ensure the wearing of suitable head protection persists under the 1992 PPE Regulations, which place a duty on employers to supply appropriate protective equipment and ensure its use when risks remain after other mitigations.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Face coverings.
• Filtering facepieces.
• Getting personal about protective equipment.
• Hard hats.
• Health and safety.
• Hi-vis clothing.
• Occupational health.
• Personal protective equipment.
• Safety helmet colours.
• The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992.