Posted By David Sinclair Anne, My understanding is that apart from periods of "operational deployment" or when training for such deployment, work undertaken by the Armed Forces in the UK is governed by the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 ("HSWA"). There are however some complications with regard to the Navy: 1. HSWA does not apply to sea-going vessels once they leave dock; 2. The enforcing authorities have no right to enter MOD property without permission; 3. The Crown is immune from prosection. I hope this helps. Regards. David

Posted By Richard Spencer I suggest you write to the Department of Defence Public Relations Officer for information. I was an MEO on surface ships and factors of safety that exist on a warship are far in advance of that accepted in civilian life as the ships company train to go in, ‘going in harms way’. I think the first posting in answer is close but to be factually correct I would be inclined to ask the question of the people capable of giving you an answer. Like many large organisations, the navy is something of a ‘master of its own domain’ so I would use whatever information you receive wisely. It should be borne in mind the navy is not a democracy even though it serves one. Richard

Posted By Michael Moore As an ex-submariner this also intrigued me. After a little searching I have come up with this info: “Crown employers, which include Government Departments, Next Steps Executive Agencies and some other Organisations sponsored by Departments, are bound by the provisions of Part 1 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, except sections 21 to 25 and 33 to 42. This is set out in section 48 of the Act. The non-application of section 33 precludes prosecution of Crown employers under the Act [commonly referred to as Crown Immunity]. Crown censure is an administrative procedure, whereby HSE may summon a Crown employer to be censured for a breach of the Act or a subordinate regulation which, but for Crown Immunity, would have led to prosecution with a realistic prospect of conviction.” http://www.hse.gov.uk/en...pproving/enforcement.htm “Section 10 of the 1947 Crown Proceedings Act barred lawsuits against the MoD over injuries sustained by services personnel (Crown Immunity), until it was repealed in 1987. But the change was not applied retrospectively, meaning those injured before 1987 could not bring claims. For example recent cases of Naval Personnel who were exposed to asbestos have had claims turned down in the Court of appeal because the exposure was prior to 1987”. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2755337.stm If I have read it right it seems that the RN can be sued but not prosecuted. Does this help? Mike Moore

Posted By Dave Wilson Think that we have got things just about spot on here. The HASAW applies to the crown however they could not be prosecuted for non compliance, however if you were the Capt and ignored H&S and were issued with a crown notice then it would not bear well with promotion to Commodore / Admiral etc. Civillians have always had the right to ' sue' for damages etc however only until the s10 introduction has this been possible by 'serving' military personell against the crown.