Health and Safety at Work Orders - Health and Safety Legislation Consultations

Feedback updated 29 Apr 2026

We asked

The Isle of Man (IOM) holds jurisdiction over its territorial waters but currently lacks a comprehensive offshore health, safety, and environmental framework. To address this, the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) is reviewing and updating legislation to align with UK offshore Health and Safety Executive (HSE) legislation and standards, ensuring internationally recognised safety regulations for future offshore energy developments are in place.

DEFA welcomed stakeholder and public feedback on updated and proposed health and safety legislation through a series of public consultations to support future offshore renewable energy operations and provide clarity on the health and safety standards for onshore work.

You said

The Health and Safety at Work Orders consultation ran from 5 September to 31 October 2025, seeking views on amendments to health and safety legislation, including offshore application and alignment with UK standards.

Seven responses were received, with respondents generally supportive of the proposed Health and Safety at Work (Amendment) Order 2025 and the application of the 1974 Act to the Isle of Man’s territorial sea, viewing these changes as positive steps toward strengthening health and safety standards.

There is broad agreement that aligning with UK standards will enhance consistency and worker protection, though several stakeholders emphasized the need for flexibility to accommodate local circumstances. A recurring theme is the importance of clear, accessible guidance and sufficient time for businesses to adapt, including training, development of Safety Management Systems, and budget planning.

We did

DEFA HSWI are grateful to everyone who took the time to respond to this consultation. 

DEFA have approved the submission of the Health and Safety at Work (Amendment) Order 2026 and the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (Application to the Territorial Sea) Order 2026; for submission to CoMin for immediate enactment.

Results updated 29 Apr 2026

Files:

Closed 31 Oct 2025

Opened 5 Sep 2025

Contact

The Offshore Team

Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture

DEFAOffshore@gov.im

Overview

The Isle of Man (IOM) holds jurisdiction over its territorial waters but currently lacks a comprehensive offshore health, safety, and environmental framework. To address this, the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) is reviewing and updating legislation to align with UK offshore Health and Safety Executive (HSE) legislation and standards, ensuring internationally recognised safety regulations for future offshore energy developments are in place.

In order to avoid different health and safety standards applying to the same work in the Island and its territorial sea, the offshore standards will also cover onshore work activities (where that is the case in the UK). However, a phased implementation of new and updated legislation will allow IOM-based businesses time to prepare for this introduction.

DEFA will welcome stakeholder and public feedback on updated and proposed health and safety legislation through a series of public consultations to support future offshore renewable energy operations and provide clarity on the health and safety standards for onshore work.

Reasonable adjustments and alternative formats

The Department is committed to equal opportunities and our aim is to make our documents easy to use and accessible to all. The Department will take steps to accommodate any reasonable adjustments and provide such assistance as may reasonably be required to enable access or reply to this consultation. If this document is required in another format or assistance is required with accessing or replying to this consultation, please email DEFAOffshore@gov.im

Responding to this consultation and questions

This consultation can be responded to by clicking on the 'Online Survey' link below. Alternatively you can download a paper version of this consultation from the links on the consultation hub and email it to DEFAOffshore@gov.im or post it to:

The Offshore Team,
Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture,
Thie Slieau Whallian,
Foxdale Road,
St John’s,
Isle of Man,
IM4 3AS

Areas

  • All Areas

Audiences

  • All residents

Interests

  • Health & Safety
  • Health and Safety legislative review
  • Legislation