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STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS

2006 No. 1702 (W.164)

HOUSING, WALES

The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (Wales) Regulations 2006

  Made 27 June 2006 
  Coming into force 30 June 2006 

The National Assembly for Wales, in exercise of the powers conferred upon it by sections 2, 4 and 250(2)(a) of the Housing Act 2004[1] makes the following Regulations:

Title, commencement and application
     1. —(1) The title of these Regulations is the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (Wales) Regulations 2006 and they come into force on 30 June 2006.

    (2) These Regulations apply in relation to residential premises in Wales[2].

Interpretation
     2. In these Regulations—

Prescribed descriptions of hazard
     3. —(1) A hazard is of a prescribed description for the purposes of the Act where the risk of harm is associated with the occurrence of any of the matters or circumstances listed in Schedule 1.

    (2) In Schedule 1, a reference to a matter or circumstance is, unless otherwise stated, to a matter or circumstance in or, as the case may be, at the dwelling or HMO in question, or in any building or land in the vicinity of the dwelling or HMO.

Prescribed fire hazard
     4. For the purposes of section 10 of the Act a category 1 or 2 hazard[3] is a prescribed fire hazard if the risk of harm is associated with exposure to uncontrolled fire and associated smoke.

Inspections
     5. An inspector must—

Seriousness of hazards
     6. —(1) Where, following an inspection of residential premises under section 4 of the Act, the inspector—

the seriousness of that hazard must be calculated in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (4) of this regulation.

    (2) The inspector must assess the likelihood, during the period of 12 months beginning with the date of the assessment, of a relevant occupier suffering any harm as a result of that hazard as falling within one of the range of ratios of likelihood set out in column 1 of Table 1.


Table 1
Column 1 Column 2
Range of ratios of likelihood Representative scale point of range
Less likely than 1 in 4200 5600
1 in 4200 to 1 in 2400 3200
1 in 2400 to 1 in 1300 1800
1 in 1300 to 1 in 750 1000
1 in 750 to 1 in 420 560
1 in 420 to 1 in 240 320
1 in 240 to 1 in 130 180
1 in 130 to 1 in 75 100
1 in 75 to 1 in 42 56
1 in 42 to 1 in 24 32
1 in 24 to 1 in 13 18
1 in 13 to 1 in 7.5 10
1 in 7.5 to 1 in 4 6
1 in 4 to 1 in 2.5 3
1 in 2.5 to 1 in 1.5 2
More likely than 1 in 1.5 1

    (3) The inspector must assess which of the four classes of harm (set out in Schedule 2) a relevant occupier is most likely to suffer during the period mentioned in paragraph (2).

    (4) The inspector must—


Table 2
Column 1 Column 2
Range of percentages of possibility Representative scale point of the percentage range (RSPPR)
Below 0.05% 0%
0.5 to 0.15% 0.1%
0.15% to 0.3% 0.2%
0.3% to 0.7% 0.5%
0.7% to 1.5% 1%
1.5% to 3% 2.2%
3% to 7% 4.6%
7% to 15% 10%
15% to 26% 21.5%
26% to 38% 31.6%
Above 38% 46.4%

    (5) When the inspector has assessed the likelihood under paragraph (2) and assessed the possibility of each harm occurring under paragraph (3) the seriousness of that hazard must be expressed by a numerical score calculated using the following formula—

S1 + S2 + S3 + S4
Where—
    S1 = 10000 × (1/L) × O1

    S2 = 1000 × (1/L) × O2

    S3 = 300 × (1/L) × O3

    S4 = 10 × (1/L) × O4

    (6) For the purposes of the formula in paragraph (5)—

    (a) L is the representative scale point of range in column 2 of Table 1 corresponding to the range that has been recorded under paragraph (2);

    (b) O1 is the RSPPR recorded under paragraph (4) in relation to Class I harm;

    (c) O2 is the RSPPR recorded under paragraph (4) in relation to Class II harm;

    (d) O3 is the RSPPR recorded under paragraph (4) in relation to a Class III harm;

    (e) O4 is the RSPPR recorded under paragraph (4) in relation to Class IV harm.

    (7) In this regulation—

    "relevant occupier" ("meddiannydd perthnasol") means where the risk of harm concerned is associated with the occurrence of any of the matters or circumstances listed in—

    (a) paragraph 1 of Schedule 1, an occupier under the age of 15 years;

    (b) paragraph 2, 3 or 6(a) of Schedule 1, an occupier aged 65 years or over;

    (c) paragraph 7 of Schedule 1, an occupier under the age of 3 years;

    (d) paragraph 8 of Schedule 1, an occupier aged 60 years or over who has been exposed to radon since birth;

    (e) paragraph 11 of Schedule 1, the actual occupier;

    (f) paragraph 17, 22, 23 or 25 of Schedule 1, an occupier under the age of 5 years;

    (g) paragraph 19, 20, 21, 24 or 28 of Schedule 1, an occupier aged 60 years or over;

    (h) paragraph 26—

      (i) except where a collision is with low architectural features, an occupier under the age of 5 years, and

      (ii) where a collision is with low architectural features, an occupier aged 16 years or over;

    (i) in any other paragraph of Schedule 1, any occupier; and

    "RSPPR" means the representative scale point of the percentage range.

    (8) In making assessments under this regulation, an inspector must have regard to any guidance for the time being given under section 9 of the Act.

Prescribed bands
     7. For the purposes of the Act a hazard falls within a band identified by a letter in column 1 of Table 3 where it achieves a numerical score calculated in accordance with regulation 6(5) which is within the range corresponding to that letter in column 2 of that Table.


Table 3
Column 1 Column 2
Band Numerical Score Range
A 5000 or more
B 2000 to 4999
C 1000 to 1999
D 500 to 999
E 200 to 499
F 100 to 199
G 50 to 99
H 20 to 49
I 10 to 19
J 9 or less

Category of hazard
     8. For the purposes of the Act—



Signed on behalf of the National Assembly for Wales under section 66(1) of the Government of Wales Act 1998[4].


D. Elis-Thomas
The Presiding Officer of the National Assembly

27 June 2006



SCHEDULE 1
Regulation 3(1)


Matters and Circumstances


Damp and mould growth
     1. Exposure to house dust mites, damp, mould or fungal growths.

Excess cold
     2. Exposure to low temperatures.

Excess heat
     3. Exposure to high temperatures.

Asbestos and MMF
     4. Exposure to asbestos fibres or manufactured mineral fibres.

Biocides
     5. Exposure to chemicals used to treat timber and mould growth.

Carbon monoxide and fuel combustion products
     6. Exposure to—

    (a) carbon monoxide;

    (b) nitrogen dioxide;

    (c) sulphur dioxide and smoke.

Lead
     7. The ingestion of lead.

Radiation
     8. Exposure to radiation.

Uncombusted fuel gas
     9. Exposure to uncombusted fuel gas.

Volatile organic compounds
     10. Exposure to volatile organic compounds.

Crowding and space
     11. A lack of adequate space for living and sleeping.

Entry by intruders
     12. Difficulties in keeping the dwelling or HMO secure against unauthorised entry.

Lighting
     13. A lack of adequate lighting.

Noise
     14. Exposure to noise.

Domestic hygiene, pests and refuse
     15. —(1) Poor design, layout or construction such that the dwelling or HMO cannot readily be kept clean.

    (2) Exposure to pests.

    (3) An inadequate provision for the hygienic storage and disposal of household waste.

Food safety
     16. An inadequate provision of facilities for the storage, preparation and cooking of food.

Personal hygiene, sanitation and drainage
     17. An inadequate provision of—

    (a) facilities for maintaining good personal hygiene;

    (b) sanitation and drainage.

Water supply
     18. An inadequate supply of water free from contamination, for drinking and other domestic purposes.

Falls associated with baths etc
     19. Falls associated with toilets, baths, showers or other washing facilities.

Falling on level surfaces etc
     20. Falling on any level surface or falling between surfaces where the change in level is less than 300 millimetres.

Falling on stairs etc
     21. Falling on stairs, steps or ramps where the change in level is 300 millimetres or more.

Falling between levels
     22. Falling between levels where the difference in levels is 300 millimetres or more.

Electrical hazards
     23. Exposure to electricity.

Fire
     24. Exposure to uncontrolled fire and associated smoke.

Flames, hot surfaces etc
     25. Contact with—

    (a) controlled fire or flames;

    (b) hot objects, liquid or vapours.

Collision and entrapment
     26. Collision with, or entrapment of body parts in, doors, windows or other architectural features.

Explosions
     27. An explosion at the dwelling or HMO.

Position and operability of amenities etc
     28. The position, location and operability of amenities, fittings and equipment.

Structural collapse and falling elements
     29. The collapse of the whole or part of the dwelling or HMO.



SCHEDULE 2
Regulation 2


Classes of Harm


Class I
     1. A Class I harm is such extreme harm as is reasonably foreseeable as a result of the hazard in question, including—

    (a) death from any cause;

    (b) lung cancer;

    (c) mesothelioma and other malignant tumours;

    (d) permanent paralysis below the neck;

    (e) regular severe pneumonia;

    (f) permanent loss of consciousness;

    (g) 80% burn injuries.

Class II
     2. A Class II harm is such severe harm as is reasonably foreseeable as a result of the hazard in question, including—

    (a) cardio-respiratory disease;

    (b) asthma;

    (c) non-malignant respiratory diseases;

    (d) lead poisoning;

    (e) anaphylactic shock;

    (f) cryptosporidiosis;

    (g) legionnaires disease;

    (h) myocardial infarction;

    (i) mild stroke;

    (j) chronic confusion;

    (k) regular severe fever;

    (l) loss of a hand or foot;

    (m) serious fractures;

    (n) serious burns;

    (o) loss of consciousness for days.

Class III
     3. A Class III harm is such serious harm as is reasonably foreseeable as a result of the hazard in question, including—

    (a) eye disorders;

    (b) rhinitis;

    (c) hypertension;

    (d) sleep disturbance;

    (e) neuropsychological impairment;

    (f) sick building syndrome;

    (g) regular and persistent dermatitis, including contact dermatitis;

    (h) allergy;

    (i) gastro-enteritis;

    (j) diarrhoea;

    (k) vomiting;

    (l) chronic severe stress;

    (m) mild heart attack;

    (n) malignant but treatable skin cancer;

    (o) loss of a finger;

    (p) fractured skull and severe concussion;

    (q) serious puncture wounds to head or body;

    (r) severe burns to hands;

    (s) serious strain or sprain injuries;

    (t) regular and severe migraine.

Class IV
     4. A Class IV harm is such moderate harm as is reasonably foreseeable as a result of the hazard in question, including—

    (a) pleural plaques;

    (b) occasional severe discomfort;

    (c) benign tumours;

    (d) occasional mild pneumonia;

    (e) broken finger;

    (f) slight concussion;

    (g) moderate cuts to face or body;

    (h) severe bruising to body;

    (i) regular serious coughs or colds.


EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)


Part 1 of the Housing Act 2004 ("the Act") introduces the Housing Health and Safety Rating System ("HHSRS"), an evidence-based system for assessing housing conditions. Sections 2 and 4 of the Act provide for regulations to be made to prescribe descriptions of hazards, the method for assessing the seriousness of hazards and the manner and extent of inspections of residential premises to see whether category 1 or 2 hazards exist. The Act imposes a duty on local authorities to take enforcement action where a category 1 hazard exists and gives discretion to take action where a category 2 hazard exists.

Regulation 3 prescribes descriptions of hazards with reference to the occurrence of matters or circumstances listed in Schedule 1. These matters and circumstances reflect the profiles of hazards set out in Annex D of the operating guidance given by the National Assembly for Wales under section 9(1)(a) of the Act.

Section 10 of the Act imposes a duty on local authorities to consult with the fire and rescue authority for the area where enforcement action is to be taken under Part 1 in relation to a prescribed fire hazard. Regulation 4 prescribes a fire hazard for the purposes of section 10 as one where the risk of harm arises from exposure to uncontrolled fire and associated smoke.

Regulation 5 provides for the manner in which, and the extent to which, premises are to be inspected under the HHSRS. In particular, a record of the inspection must be prepared and kept either in written or electronic form.

Regulation 6 prescribes the method for calculating the seriousness of hazards to be expressed as a numerical score.

Regulation 7 prescribes the bands applicable to the range of numerical scores and regulation 8 provides that where a hazard falls within bands A, B or C the hazard is a category 1 hazard and where it falls within any other band it is a category 2 hazard.

Schedule 2 describes each class of harm and includes examples of each class of harm.

Notes:

 [1] 2004 c.34.back

[2] The powers conferred by sections 2 and 4 of the Act are exercisable, as respects Wales, by the National Assembly for Wales. See the definition of "the appropriate national authority" in section 261(1).back

[3] See the definition of "category 1 hazard" and "category 2 hazard" in section 2(1) of the Act.back

[4] 1998 c.38.back


Cymraeg (Welsh)


ISBN 0 11 091366 3


 © Crown copyright 2006

Prepared 6 July 2006

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URL: http://www.bailii.org/wales/legis/num_reg/2006/20061702e.html