Why do people think health and safety legislation is not law?
If that was the case no one not even commercial companies would have to follow ANY H&S.
Just because its not criminal law does not make it illegal. No you wont get pulled by the fuzz but you can be prosecuted and fined by the HSE.
We live in a free country, you are free to do as you wish within the laws of this land, should you wish to break those rulings then expect to be punished.
As an example, the speed limit on a motorway is 70mph, we all go over that at some point, and we know thats the law, and if caught we get punished.