Approved Code of Practice (ACOP)

A document which describes preferred or recommended methods of working to comply with regulations and the duties imposed by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The document therefore has legal status, although it is not a legally binding document. ACOPs will usually be developed following a period of consultation with relevant industry stakeholders and experts to ensure they are representative and appropriate for their intended use.

An Approved Code of Practice is approved by a regulatory authority, such as the HSE, with the aim of giving practical advice on how to comply with the law. The Code can describe best working practices, which were appropriate at the time of creation of the Code, and this may also include commentary on risk assessment, safe use and maintenance of equipment, as well as recommended or suggested training requirements.

There can be industry specific ACOPs which focus on practical situations that arise in the undertaking of duties within that industry, with examples including manual handling, understanding hazards from equipment vibration, hazardous substances, risk assessment of ground conditions and use of equipment in public spaces. Safe working methods / standard operating procedures may also be included within an approved code of practice, but if not included in an ACOP then they might be included in a Code of Practice.

Alternative methods to those set out in the relevant ACOP can be used, however, you need to ensure that you are still complying with the law and that the chosen method is at least as good as that within the ACOP.

An example of an ACOP is that of ‘The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. Approved Code of Practice and guidance (6th Edition)’.