I have recently retired and have been asked to undertake some safety officer work for a local boat club. Do clubs like this come under the same regulations as a company, or is there a different set of regulations for private clubs. It would be easy to implement standards to the HASAWA, expensive for a none profit small club, or should I be looking at other regulations.

I would imagine the same regs apply with a little more on water safety Wishing you all the best in your retirement.

HASAWA duties only apply to employers. Most boat clubs are private clubs, with no employees - this should be checked, as there may be a regular cleaner or bar-tender. Engaging a contractor or consultant does not usually create an employment contract. The only duties which usually apply to private clubs (proviso above) are under civil duty of care. However, some insurance companies for clubs do seem not to realise this distinction and ask for safety policies and RAs (sigh). I have challenged this in the past, but I suspect nowadays it will be easier to just do what they ask - although it is over and above. This may be why the club feel they need H&S advice. Principles of HSW can be applied, to help with the DoC, but there is no obligation. Make sure you are up-to-speed with Occupier Liability issues, which do apply, and of course if it turns out there are employees, then back to the HASAWA framework.