Posted By Philip McAleenan Maggie, this question arises quite frequently on this site and a quick trawl will bring you to some of the previous threads. However the HSE (UK and NI) and the HSA in Ireland all have comprehensive construction sections on their respective web-sites all with a substantial amount of documentation that can be downloaded as well as details of statutes and regulations with links to other websites where these too may be downloaded. A comparative analyses of the differences in the respective legislation is quite an exercise and unlikely to be accomplished well in the space available on these forums, however if you commence your deliberations the the fundamental duties imposed on employers and workers anywhere is to ensure a safe work environment and work practices and take it from there, you are off to a good beginning. For administrative purposes the legislation detail and the websites will give you the necessary information on documentation, including downloads of acceptable documents. Good luck with your research, regards, Philip