Following representations which highlighted a legislative anomaly, the HSE is consulting on a proposal to make an amendment to extend the exemption in S.11 of the Employment Act 1989, so that turban wearing by Sikhs in any industry will be exempt from the need to wear head-protection, and to extend the limited liability provisions of that exemption to their employers. The current exemption is limited to construction sites and this has led to problems for turban-wearing Sikhs in other areas, where the risk from falling objects is likely to be lower. HSE is also assessing the need to include details of sectors, tasks or roles that should not be included in exemption because the risk to employees is too great to be tolerated. The exemption relates only to head protection and only to turban wearing Sikhs. It does not extend to those Sikhs who do not wear turbans or to other personal protective equipment.

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