Manual Handling Regulations 2025 - Health and Safety Legislation Consultations

Overview

The Isle of Man (IOM) has jurisdiction over its territorial waters but currently does not have a comprehensive offshore health, safety, and environmental framework to regulate work activities offshore.

To address this gap, the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) is reviewing and updating specific legislation to align with UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) standards. This will enable offshore work to proceed under internationally recognised safety regulations, supporting future offshore energy developments.

To ensure consistent health and safety standards across both land and sea, the updated legislation will apply to work undertaken onshore and offshore within the Island and its territorial waters. This process has the added advantage of updating legislation in key areas to align with the latest UK legislation.

This consultation specifically relates to the following draft legislation:

• Manual Handling Regulations 2025

Recognising the potential impact on IOM businesses, DEFA will implement a phased approach designed to give businesses sufficient time to prepare for compliance.  Following public consultation and incorporation of any necessary amendments, the Department aims to submit the proposed legislation to Tynwald in early 2026, with a target commencement date of 1 August 2028.

Why your views matter

This consultation gives stakeholders, industry, and the public the chance to provide feedback on the proposed Regulations. Your views will help ensure that the legislation is clear, practical, and effective in protecting workers’ health.

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 'Related' section below 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