Health and Safety Guidance (HSG)
HSG documents are comprehensive guidance books published by the Health and Safety Executive. These detailed publications provide in-depth technical guidance on specific workplace safety topics.
Unlike shorter INDG leaflets, HSG books offer thorough coverage of complex subjects, including practical examples, case studies, and detailed implementation advice.
Safety in the Use of Abrasive Wheels
HSG17 provides essential guidance on the safe mounting, operation, and maintenance of abrasive wheels. This comprehensive document helps employers and operators prevent serious injuries from wheel breakage, entanglement, and contact hazards through proper training, equipment selection, and safe working practices.
Health and Safety in Roof Work
HSG33 provides comprehensive guidance on planning, organising, and carrying out roof work safely. This essential document covers fall prevention, access equipment, fragile surfaces, and the hierarchy of control measures for all types of roofing activities.
Lighting at Work
HSG38 provides comprehensive guidance on workplace lighting requirements, covering natural and artificial lighting, emergency lighting, and the relationship between lighting and health, safety, and productivity. This document helps employers meet their legal duties while creating well-lit, comfortable working environments.
Reducing Error and Influencing Behaviour
HSG48 provides comprehensive guidance on understanding human factors in workplace safety, covering how human error occurs and how organisations can reduce errors through better design, procedures, training, and safety culture. This essential document helps organisations move beyond blame to systemic safety improvement.
Storage of Flammable Liquids in Containers
HSG51 provides comprehensive guidance on safely storing flammable liquids in containers up to 200 litres. This essential document helps employers understand fire and explosion risks, implement appropriate storage arrangements, and comply with regulations for petroleum, solvents, and other dangerous substances.
Respiratory Protective Equipment at Work
HSG53 provides comprehensive guidance on selecting, using, and maintaining respiratory protective equipment (RPE). This essential document covers the hierarchy of controls, RPE selection criteria, fit testing, training requirements, and maintenance programmes for all types of respiratory protection.
Seating at Work
HSG57 provides essential guidance on selecting and using work seating to prevent musculoskeletal disorders and improve comfort. This practical document helps employers choose appropriate seating for different work tasks, from office chairs to industrial workstations, ensuring compliance with workplace health regulations.
Upper Limb Disorders in the Workplace
HSG60 provides comprehensive guidance on preventing and managing work-related upper limb disorders including repetitive strain injuries. This essential document helps employers identify risk factors, assess work activities, and implement practical controls to protect workers from conditions affecting hands, wrists, arms, and shoulders.
Health Surveillance at Work
HSG61 provides guidance on health surveillance requirements for employers. Explains when health surveillance is needed, what it involves, and how to implement effective programmes to detect work-related ill health early.
Managing for Health and Safety
HSG65 provides the definitive framework for health and safety management systems, introducing the Plan-Do-Check-Act model. This essential document guides organisations in developing systematic approaches to managing health and safety risks through leadership, worker involvement, and continuous improvement.
Electricity at Work: Safe Working Practices
Essential guidance on safe working practices for electrical work, providing practical procedures for isolating equipment, working safely near live conductors, and managing electrical hazards in the workplace.
Display Screen Equipment Guidance
HSG90 explains the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992. Covers employer duties for DSE users including workstation assessments, eye tests, and ergonomic requirements for computer work.
Maintaining Portable Electrical Equipment
Comprehensive guidance on maintaining portable electrical equipment in the workplace, covering inspection regimes, testing requirements, and practical approaches to ensuring electrical appliances remain safe throughout their working life.
Health and Safety in Construction
Authoritative guidance on managing health and safety risks in construction, covering the duties of clients, designers, and contractors under CDM Regulations, along with practical measures for controlling common construction hazards.
HSG170: Reducing Hand-Arm Vibration Risk
Practical guidance on controlling hand-arm vibration exposure in the workplace, providing effective strategies for reducing vibration risks from power tools and equipment to prevent debilitating conditions like vibration white finger.
Managing Asbestos in Premises
HSG227 provides detailed guidance for duty holders on managing asbestos-containing materials in non-domestic premises. This essential document helps building owners, property managers, and facilities teams comply with the Control of Asbestos Regulations through systematic surveys, risk assessment, and management planning.
Managing Shift Work: Health and Safety Guidance
HSG256 provides guidance on managing the health and safety risks of shift work. Covers fatigue management, work scheduling, and employer duties to protect shift workers' health and wellbeing.
Involving Your Workforce in Health and Safety
HSG263 provides guidance on consulting and involving employees in health and safety. Covers legal requirements for consultation, safety representatives, and building a positive safety culture through genuine worker engagement.
Asbestos: The Survey Guide
HSG264 is the definitive guide to asbestos surveys. Explains when surveys are needed, the difference between management and refurbishment/demolition surveys, and how to commission and use survey results to manage asbestos safely.
About HSG Publications
HSG (Health and Safety Guidance) documents are detailed technical guidance books published by the Health and Safety Executive. They provide comprehensive coverage of specific topics, often running to 100+ pages with detailed practical advice.
These publications are essential references for safety professionals and anyone needing in-depth guidance on complex health and safety topics. Our summaries help you understand the key requirements, but the full HSG documents should be consulted for complete guidance.