Are you up to speed with the health and safety rules for small businesses? Our simple guide explains everything you need to know. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA) is the main piece of legislation covering health and safety at work in the UK. If you run a small, low-risk business, it\u2019s usually quite straightforward to follow the UK\u2019s health and safety laws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here we look at small business health and safety policy requirements for 2026. This includes risk assessments and everything else you need to know to make sure you\u2019re complying with the law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a business owner or employer, the majority of the responsibility for workplace health and safety will belong to you. According to the Health and Safety Executive website (HSE)<\/a>, \u201cit is an employer’s duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees and other people who might be affected by their business.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s important to note that ‘welfare’ now includes mental health. The HSE expects employers to treat stress and mental health risks with the same importance as physical risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The HSE website also sets out your core responsibilities as an employer. These include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ll go into more detail about each of these responsibilities throughout this guide where relevant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you\u2019re self-employed<\/a>, run a partnership<\/a>, or a limited company<\/a>, a health and safety policy is an important document that all businesses need to have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A health and safety policy provides more structure for growing businesses that are hiring new staff, implementing new processes, or moving to new premises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Every business\u2019s policy will be different depending on how many employees they have and what sector they operate in. However, all policies will include information on key topics such as first aid and risk assessments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A good health and safety statement will be clear, accessible, and easy for employees to understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Generally speaking, health and safety laws apply to all businesses. Whether you\u2019re an employer or self-employed, you\u2019re responsible for the health and safety of employees or members of the public in your workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That said, HSE understands that running a one-person IT operation is vastly different to owning a construction business with hundreds of staff. That\u2019s why their rules only require you to take an approach that\u2019s proportionate to the size and type of business you run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have fewer than five employees, you don’t need to write down your risk assessment or health and safety policy. However, you still need to have one in place mentally and follow it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All that\u2019s required of many businesses is to make sure people are protected from harm caused by their business\u2019s work activities. By doing that, you\u2019ll also be safeguarding the reputation and success of your business<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most health and safety policies are split into three parts: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep reading to learn more about each part and how they ensure you\u2019re keeping your employees and customers safe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This section will give an overview of your company\u2019s approach to health and safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It will usually give details of the policy\u2019s aims, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This section will outline who\u2019s responsible for each health and safety responsibility and their role in the business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As we\u2019ve already mentioned, employers are ultimately held responsible for health and safety in the workplace. But your health and safety policy allows you to set out who in your business is able to support you. For example, your HR director may also be your designated first aider. It\u2019s important to make sure that you appoint people with the right skills for each position. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This final part of the policy will explain how you\u2019ll achieve the health and safety aims set out in the statement of intent. It\u2019ll give details of the arrangements you have in place, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The arrangements section is also where you\u2019ll set out what\u2019ll happen if people don\u2019t follow the company\u2019s health and safety procedures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your health and safety at work policy should be reviewed at least once a year. It\u2019s likely you\u2019ll need to review the policy if you make any significant changes to your business, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another reason you may need to review your health and safety policy is if an incident occurs, such as staff raising safety concerns about processes or someone getting seriously injured because of an accident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reviewing your health and safety policy is an important process, but it shouldn\u2019t be too complicated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s what you\u2019ll need to do:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019ve decided what changes you\u2019re going to make, you\u2019ll need to update your policy with any new information and a refreshed date. You\u2019ll then need to make it available to staff and replace the old version anywhere you have it on file. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A hazard, or anything that may cause harm, is a risk. You should work out whether anyone could be harmed by each hazard, and how serious the harm could potentially be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some examples include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Controlling risks is an essential part of managing health and safety in your workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n First, take a thorough look around your business and identify things that may cause harm to people. If you have employees, ask for their opinions, as they may see risks you\u2019re not aware of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You then need to take reasonable steps to stop those risks causing actual harm. Consider who could be harmed if there was an accident, and think about what steps you\u2019re already taking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All that\u2019s really being asked of you here is to work out common sense ways to make sure accidents don\u2019t happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Everyday risks are assumed, so you only need to write down any significant findings \u2013 unless you have fewer than five employees, in which case there\u2019s no paperwork necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019re not expected to bend over backwards to remove every single risk in your workplace, but rather to take reasonably achievable steps to control those risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Businesses with higher risk factors, such as construction or forestry, can consult the HSE\u2019s A-Z of guidance by industry<\/a> for advice on responsibilities specific to their line of work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Under the Deregulation Act 2015, if you\u2019re self-employed and your work doesn\u2019t pose a risk to the health and safety of other workers or members of the public, health and safety law doesn\u2019t apply to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, the HSE makes it clear that you need to judge for yourself whether your work poses a risk or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They give the example of a fairground ride operator whose business is to let members of the public use the ride. This business owner needs to take steps to protect customers from harm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019re required by law to report certain work-related injuries and illnesses. If you have more than 10 employees, then this must also be recorded in an accident book (this can also be helpful if you need to make a claim on your insurance).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Health and Safety Executive is a government resource, which details the specific types of reportable incidents and injuries<\/a>. These include (but aren\u2019t limited to):<\/p>\n\n\n\n You also need to report any work-related fatalities, or any work-related incidents that incapacitate the worker for more than seven days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The HSE also explains when an incident should be recorded but not reported, and when you need to do both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) is the legislation that requires businesses to report such work-place incidents. Only \u2018responsible persons\u2019 can submit a report, and you\u2019ll need to use the relevant form on the HSE website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When recording people\u2019s personal information, make sure you\u2019re following GDPR and data protection legislation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As an employer, you\u2019ll need to provide workers with relevant information and training about health and safety. Most of this information will be in your health and safety policy, and you can also display the HSE-approved health and safety law poster, which we\u2019ll touch on later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s also a range of health and safety training available for workers, managers, and employers to make sure everyone\u2019s knowledge is as up to date as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you work in construction specifically, you might want to take the health and safety awareness course<\/a>, or offer the same to workers or managers. The course highlights potential hazards when working on site and provides practical advice on keeping yourself and your colleagues safe. It covers your individual and employer’s responsibilities, including what you can do if you think anyone’s health and safety is being put at risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As an employer, you\u2019re legally expected to consult with your workers about health and safety in your workplace. This means sharing relevant information, but also taking feedback and allowing them to influence your decisions and policy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In a smaller business you\u2019ll likely want to speak to employees in small groups or one to one. It can also be worth including health and safety updates as agenda points in routine team meetings. You can also carry out staff surveys, employee suggestion schemes, or notice boards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Although not a part of your health and safety policy, it\u2019s important to have adequate first aid resources available in your workplace. As an employer, it\u2019s your responsibility that your employees receive immediate attention if they suffer an accident or illness at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After determining your risk level and completing a first aid needs assessment<\/a>, you\u2019ll get a better idea of what first aid requirements are needed in your workplace. In a low risk environment, you\u2019ll need:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a more high risk workplace with industry-specific hazards and risks, this list will increase and you may need additional first aid kits and a number of trained first-aiders to be on hand in an emergency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a workplace with more risks, you may decide you need a dedicated first-aider. First-aiders have been instructed by a qualified training provider or on an emergency first aid at work course. Once your chosen staff member has trained as a first-aider, they\u2019ll be awarded a certificate. These usually last for up to three years, after which your first-aider will have to retrain to continue providing care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most important aspects of any workplace first aid policy is clear communication. Make sure all your employees know where to go, or who to ask for help, when they\u2019ve been injured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n HSE has a health and safety law poster <\/a>which you must display if you have any employees. It explains British health and safety laws and lists what workers and employers are responsible for.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also choose to add the details of any employee safety representatives or health and safety contacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The poster should be displayed in any relevant common area. As an alternative, you can give each worker a health and safety law leaflet with the same information. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Promotion<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n If your business has staff, it\u2019s likely that employers\u2019 liability insurance<\/a> is a legal must-have. This cover can protect your business when health and safety issues occur if your employees get injured or sick as a result of working for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Public liability insurance<\/a> is also a key cover to consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Insurers tend to take a common sense approach to health and safety, expecting their policyholders to take the necessary steps to meet their responsibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you need some further guidance, trade unions, employers\u2019 organisations, and trade associations are good places to start, and HSE web resources also provide useful information. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n If your business has staff, it\u2019s likely that employers\u2019 liability insurance<\/a> is a legal must-have. This cover can protect your business when health and safety issues occur if your employees get injured or sick as a result of working for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Public liability insurance<\/a> is also a key cover to consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Insurers tend to take a common sense approach to health and safety, expecting their policyholders to take the necessary steps to meet their responsibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you need some further guidance, trade unions, employers\u2019 organisations, and trade associations are good places to start, and HSE web resources also provide useful information. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As one of the UK’s biggest business insurance<\/a> providers, we specialise in public liability insurance<\/a> and protect more trades than anybody else. Why not take a look now and build a quick, tailored quote?<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
What is a health and safety policy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Does a small company need a health and safety policy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How to write a health and safety policy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Statement of intent<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Responsibilities for health and safety<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Arrangements for health and safety<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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How often should a business review its health and safety policy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How to review a health and safety policy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Managing risk assessment at work <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What counts as a risk?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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How do I control the risks in my workplace?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Do different types of business pose different risks?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Do I need to do a risk assessment if I\u2019m self-employed and work on my own?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Reporting workplace accidents and illnesses <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What type of accidents need to be reported?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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How to submit a report<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Health and safety information and training <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Health and safety awareness course <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Consulting your workers about health and safety<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Emergency first aid at work<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Supplies and facilities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Specialist first-aiders<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What is the health and safety law poster? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How does health and safety affect my business insurance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How does health and safety affect my business insurance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
More health and safety guides for your small business<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Ready to set up your cover?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n