If you work in UK construction, you've probably heard of HSG150. But what exactly is it, what does it cover, and why should you care? This guide explains everything you need to know about HSG150 and how to use it effectively.
What is HSG150?
HSG150 is the reference code for the Health and Safety Executive's publication "Health and Safety in Construction". It's the HSE's comprehensive guidance document for managing health and safety risks in the construction industry.
HSG150 is considered the "bible" of construction safety in the UK. It explains how to comply with health and safety law and sets out what HSE inspectors expect to see on construction sites.
Key facts about HSG150
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Published by | Health and Safety Executive (HSE) |
| Full title | Health and Safety in Construction |
| Document code | HSG150 |
| Current edition | Reflects CDM 2015 |
| Availability | Free PDF download from HSE |
| Format | Also available as printed book |
Why HSG150 matters
Construction remains one of the UK's most dangerous industries:
- 51 workers killed in 2023/24
- 54,000+ non-fatal injuries annually
- 30%+ of all workplace deaths occur in construction
- Workers are 4 times more likely to die at work than average
HSG150 provides the practical guidance needed to prevent these deaths and injuries. Following it demonstrates compliance with health and safety law and shows HSE inspectors you take safety seriously.
Legal status of HSG150
HSG150 is guidance, not law. However:
- It explains how to comply with legal requirements including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, CDM Regulations 2015, and Work at Height Regulations 2005
- Courts and HSE inspectors expect duty holders to follow HSG150 guidance
- Failing to follow HSG150 without equally effective alternative measures is difficult to defend in court
If an accident occurs and you haven't followed HSG150 guidance, you'll need to demonstrate your alternative approach was equally effective. This is very difficult to prove, especially in court.
Who needs HSG150?
HSG150 is essential reading for everyone involved in construction work:
Contractors and builders
Whether you're a major contractor or a sole trader, HSG150 tells you:
- How to assess and control construction risks
- What safe systems of work you need
- Your duties under CDM Regulations
- How to manage specific hazards like falls, excavations, and demolition
Principal Contractors
If you're appointed as Principal Contractor, HSG150 explains:
- Your Principal Contractor duties
- How to prepare the construction phase plan
- Coordinating health and safety across multiple contractors
- Site rules and welfare requirements
Clients commissioning work
Even if you're not a construction expert, HSG150 helps you understand:
- Your client duties under CDM
- How to appoint competent contractors
- What information you need to provide
- Your ongoing responsibilities during the project
Designers and architects
HSG150 explains how design decisions affect construction safety:
- Eliminating hazards through design
- Reducing risks that can't be eliminated
- Information designers must provide to contractors
- Principal Designer responsibilities
Property and facilities managers
If you arrange construction, maintenance, or refurbishment work, HSG150 helps you:
- Understand when you're acting as a CDM client
- Select and manage contractors safely
- Meet your legal duties
What does HSG150 cover?
HSG150 is comprehensive, covering everything from high-level management to specific hazards.
CDM Regulations explained
A major part of HSG150 explains the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015:
- Client duties — making arrangements, appointing duty holders, providing information
- Principal Designer duties — coordinating pre-construction safety, preparing the health and safety file
- Designer duties — eliminating and reducing risks through design
- Principal Contractor duties — managing the construction phase, preparing the construction phase plan
- Contractor duties — planning and managing your own work safely
Working at height
Falls are the leading cause of construction deaths. HSG150 provides detailed guidance on:
- The hierarchy of controls (avoid, protect collectively, protect individually)
- Scaffolding safety — design, erection, inspection
- Mobile access equipment — towers, MEWPs
- Roof work — fragile surfaces, edge protection
- Ladder safety — when to use, when not to use
HSG150 is clear: work at height should be avoided where possible. When unavoidable, collective protection (scaffolds, guardrails) must be used before personal protection (harnesses). This hierarchy is a legal requirement.
Excavations
HSG150 covers the serious risks from excavation work:
- Trench collapse and shoring requirements
- Locating underground services before digging
- Safe access and egress
- Preventing falls into excavations
- Protecting adjacent structures
Demolition
Demolition is one of the highest-risk construction activities. HSG150 explains:
- Structural surveys before work
- Detailed method statements
- Planned demolition sequences
- Exclusion zones and public protection
Hazardous substances
Construction workers encounter numerous hazardous substances. HSG150 addresses:
- Asbestos — survey requirements, management, licensed vs non-licensed work
- Silica dust — from cutting concrete, brick, stone. Control measures and RPE
- Cement — chemical burns, dermatitis
- Wood dust — especially MDF and hardwoods
- Solvents and paints — ventilation, PPE
- Lead — in older buildings
Manual handling
HSG150 covers manual handling risks:
- Risk assessment for handling tasks
- Mechanical handling alternatives
- Safe lifting techniques
- Reducing repetitive strain injuries
Plant and equipment
Mobile plant causes many construction deaths. HSG150 includes:
- Operator competence and training
- Daily checks and maintenance
- Traffic management on sites
- Lifting operations and crane safety
- Contact with overhead power lines
Site organisation and welfare
Good site management prevents accidents. HSG150 covers:
- Site layout planning
- Separating pedestrians and vehicles
- Material storage
- Housekeeping standards
- Welfare facilities — toilets, washing, drinking water, rest areas, changing facilities
How to use HSG150 effectively
Step 1: Identify your role
Determine your position on each project. You may be:
- Client
- Principal Designer
- Designer
- Principal Contractor
- Contractor
- Worker
- Multiple roles simultaneously
HSG150 explains the specific duties for each role.
Step 2: Use it for planning
Before starting any construction work:
- Review relevant sections of HSG150 for your type of work
- Identify the hazards HSG150 warns about
- Follow the recommended control measures
- Document your risk assessments and method statements
Step 3: Apply the hierarchy of controls
HSG150 consistently emphasises the hierarchy:
- Eliminate the hazard if possible
- Substitute with something less hazardous
- Engineer out the risk with physical controls
- Administrative controls — procedures, training
- PPE — as a last resort only
Step 4: Reference in documentation
Reference HSG150 in your:
- Risk assessments
- Method statements
- Construction phase plans
- Site inductions
- Training materials
This demonstrates you've followed authoritative guidance.
Step 5: Use for audits and inspections
Check your sites against HSG150 recommendations:
- Are you controlling hazards as HSG150 advises?
- Do you have the welfare facilities HSG150 requires?
- Are you following the duty holder guidance?
Common questions about HSG150
HSG150 is available as a free PDF download from the HSE website at hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg150.htm. You can also purchase a printed copy from HSE Books. Always check you have the current version as it's updated periodically.
HSG150 itself is guidance, not law. However, it explains how to comply with legal requirements including the Health and Safety at Work Act, CDM Regulations, and Work at Height Regulations. Courts and HSE inspectors expect you to follow HSG150 unless you can demonstrate an equally effective alternative approach.
Yes. HSG150 applies to all construction work regardless of size or duration. A one-day job on commercial premises requires the same principles as a major project, though the level of documentation should be proportionate to the risk.
CDM Regulations 2015 are the law — they create legal duties. HSG150 is guidance that explains how to comply with CDM and other construction safety legislation. Think of CDM as 'what you must do' and HSG150 as 'how to do it'.
HSG150 is updated periodically when legislation changes or significant new guidance is needed. The current edition reflects CDM 2015. Always check the HSE website for the latest version and any supplementary guidance.
You can be prosecuted for breaching health and safety law, not for failing to follow guidance. However, if an incident occurs and you haven't followed HSG150, you'll need to prove your alternative approach was equally effective — which is difficult in court. Following HSG150 provides a strong defence.
No. HSG150 provides guidance on what risks to assess and how to control them, but you still need to carry out specific risk assessments for your work. HSG150 helps you understand what to look for and what controls are appropriate.
HSG150 is the main construction guidance, but HSE also publishes specific guidance including: HSG33 (roof work), HSG47 (underground services), HSG85 (lifting operations), HSG144 (site vehicles), HSG168 (fire safety in construction), and many INDG leaflets on specific topics.
Related HSE guidance
HSG150 works alongside other HSE publications:
| Document | Topic |
|---|---|
| HSG33 | Health and Safety in Roof Work |
| HSG47 | Avoiding Danger from Underground Services |
| HSG85 | Slinging and Signalling |
| HSG144 | Safe Use of Vehicles on Construction Sites |
| HSG168 | Fire Safety in Construction |
Get the official HSG150
Download HSG150 from HSE:
The official HSG150 document "Health and Safety in Construction" is available free from the Health and Safety Executive website.
Put HSG150 into practice
These resources help you implement HSG150 guidance:
- Construction Safety Checklist — Comprehensive site checklist based on HSG150
- Construction Phase Plan Template — Template for the plan required by CDM
- CDM Duty Holder Checklist — Quick reference for CDM duties
- Working at Height Checklist — Pre-work checklist for height work
Related reading
- What is CDM? — Introduction to CDM Regulations
- Client Duties under CDM — Your responsibilities as a client
- Principal Contractor Duties — Managing the construction phase
- Construction Phase Plan — What it should contain
- Working at Height Regulations — Legal requirements for fall prevention
- Construction Safety Topic — Comprehensive construction safety guide
- HSG150 HSE Reference — Our HSE document summary
Summary: HSG150 is essential reading for anyone involved in UK construction. It provides practical guidance on complying with health and safety law, controlling construction hazards, and meeting CDM duties. Download it free from the HSE website and use it to plan, manage, and monitor your construction work safely.