Only some, in low-risk jobs. It doesn't apply to builders obviously. And is still does not exempt them from other laws.

Yes - the new legislation won't apply to any of those situations. There is NO PROPOSAL to exempt all self-employed people from H&S law. Anyone that claims there is is talking rubbish. Since there is no such proposal, why are so many people asking about how the non-existent proposal will be implemented?

achrn, walker, Yes my 'point' was that I suspect many self-employed, sole-traders etc may read a Daily Telegraph headline about exemption from 'H&S regulations' and forget there is an Act that must be obeyed, and that their tools and materials must be used safely, and they have a respoinsibility for other contractors and any joe public who happens to be within hitting distance of his work :o) The Telegraph headline 08/05/2013 says "Self-employed will be exempt from health and safety rules. People who work for themselves will no longer have to worry about onerous health and safety rules". Then IF one scrolls down to read the smaller print it goes on to say "..self-employed whose work activities pose no potential risk of harm to others”. Yes walker, I agree there is a potential myth that may develop from this.... JohnW

Dear All I posted the initial comment last FRIDAY - as a Friday thread not as something to be taken as seriously as some have assumed. Most self employed people I know don't adhere to any rules and regulations let alone the HASWA, especially those that involve parting with money (H&S Consultants excepted).