Global HSE Laws

“Global HSE Laws” refer to the various Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) regulations and legal frameworks that govern how organizations protect people and the environment in different countries. These laws vary by jurisdiction but share common goals: preventing harm, ensuring safe working conditions, and promoting sustainability.

Here’s a broad overview categorized by region and theme:

🌍 Key Global HSE Frameworks & Standards

These are internationally recognized systems often adopted or referenced by countries:

  • ILO Conventions (International Labour Organization)

    • Framework for occupational safety and health (OSH)

    • Examples: C155 (OSH Convention), C161 (Occupational Health Services)

  • ISO Standards

    • ISO 45001: Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems

    • ISO 14001: Environmental Management Systems

  • IFC Performance Standards (used by World Bank/IFC-funded projects)

    • Standard 1–8 covering risk management, labor, pollution, community health, biodiversity, etc.

🏛️ Major National HSE Laws by Region

🇺🇸 United States

  • OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Act) – 1970

    • Administered by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

  • EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) Regulations

    • Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, CERCLA (Superfund), TSCA, RCRA

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

  • Health and Safety at Work Act – 1974

  • COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health)

  • Environmental Protection Act – 1990

  • Enforced by HSE (Health and Safety Executive)

🇪🇺 European Union

  • EU Framework Directive 89/391/EEC

    • General principles for worker safety

  • REACH Regulation (chemicals)

  • EU ETS (Emissions Trading Scheme)

  • Member states also have national enforcement

🇨🇦 Canada

  • Canada Labour Code – Part II (Occupational Health and Safety)

  • CEPA (Canadian Environmental Protection Act)

  • Enforced provincially and federally

🇦🇺 Australia

  • Model WHS Laws by Safe Work Australia

    • Harmonized across most states/territories

  • Environmental Protection Acts vary by state (e.g., EPA Victoria)

🇮🇳 India

  • Factories Act – 1948 (being replaced by the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020)

  • Environment Protection Act – 1986

  • BIS Standards (e.g., IS 14489 for safety audits)

  • Regulatory bodies: DGFASLI, MoEFCC

🇨🇳 China

  • Work Safety Law – 2021 (revised)

  • Environmental Protection Law – 2015 (revised)

  • Enforced by Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM) and MEE

🇯🇵 Japan

  • Industrial Safety and Health Act

  • Basic Environment Law

  • Strong focus on automation, disaster prevention, and chemical safety

⚖️ Common Themes Across Global HSE Laws

ThemeTypical Legal Requirement
Risk AssessmentMandatory hazard identification & control measures
TrainingInduction, job-specific, emergency response
Incident ReportingMust report fatalities, major injuries, diseases
Worker ParticipationJoint safety committees, right to refuse unsafe work
Environmental ImpactEIA (Environmental Impact Assessments) required
Permit SystemsWork at height, confined space, hot work, etc.
Sustainability ReportingGrowing global trend (e.g., CSRD, GRI, TCFD)

Would you like:

  • A comparison chart between 2–3 countries?

  • A deep dive into laws of a specific country or region?

  • A summary in PowerPoint or PDF format for training or presentation?