Understand health and safety
Introduction
Get up to date with health and safety guidance with these resources. Here you’ll find plenty of guidance on helping your business with Fire Risk Assessments, practical Health and Safety Executive resources, and much more.
Fire safety resources
Fire safety facts
Discover the regulations around fire safety, how they apply to you and guidance on what you need to do.
Fire safety of furniture and furnishings
Get guidance on what legislation applies to you in relation to the fire safety of furniture in your business.
Fire safety guide for small accommodation providers
This Government guide for small accommodation businesses provides practical advice on fire safety in paying guest accommodation such as small bed and breakfasts.
Fire safety for disabled people
Read the Government’s comprehensive guidance to ensuring fire safety for disabled people, Means of Escape for Disabled People. Please note, this guide was published in 2007, before the Equality Act 2010.
Fire safety guidance update webinar
Fire experts provide an update on new fire safety guidance and changes to regulations from 1 October 2023. Recorded 21 September 2023.
Fire Safety Guidance FAQs
Find responses to general questions about the new fire safety guidance, technical questions and questions specific to visitor accommodation businesses.
Guest safety
Your health and safety liabilities
Understand your health and safety liabilities to guests and employees, public liability insurance and whether you need a licence to transport guests.
Product safety precautions
How to ensure you provide safe products for your customers, particularly for gas and electrical appliances.
Swimming, gym and outdoor safety
Health and safety guidance for swimming pools, gyms and outdoor activities and whether you need a licence for adventure sports.
Smoking in public places
Your legal duties around smoking, displaying a no-smoking sign and ensuring enclosed spaces remain smoke-free.
How to manage Legionnaires’ disease
Understand what Legionnaires’ disease is, how to tell if there is a risk in your business and what you should do to manage legionella.
Write a health and safety policy
Get guidance on writing your health and safety policy, with an example and template from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Get the health and safety basics for your business
Get step-by-step guidance for your business, with this Health and Safety Executive (HSE) toolkit, from controlling risks to providing the right facilities.
Food safety and hygiene
Understand food and drink hygiene legislation and how to register with your local authority.
Food labelling rules
Get to know the legislation around food labelling, for allergens and genetically modified (GM) foods.
Paddle Safely
A guide created by British Canoeing and the RNLI about safety in paddlesports, including Stand Up Paddleboarding.
Guidance for fairgrounds
Guidance from the HSE on health and saftey for fairgrounds and amusement parks.
Security Risk Management
Protect UK’s guide to security risk management and counter terrorism for businesses.
Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete
Guidance from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors about Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC).
Employee safety
Health & Safety at Work Act
Read about The Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) and how it applies to you as an employer. It covers your responsibilities for the safety of your staff and your legal obligation to complete a health and safety assessment.
Hazards from work activities
Ensure your staff do their jobs safely, with this guidance to workplace hazards, from computer screens to heavy equipment.
Hazards in the workplace
Consider the risks in your workplace, with this guidance on the use of safety glass, preventing slips and trips and electrical equipment.
Safety management
Know your legal obligations under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and how to carry out a risk assessment.
How to control risks at work
Use this Health and Safety Executive (HSE) online toolbox to help you control risks in the workplace, including fire and electrical safety and workplace transport.
Employer’s liability insurance guide
Find out whether you need employers’ liability insurance, the policy conditions to look out for and what level of cover you need.
