Professional, scientific and technical compliance checklist

Work through every section that applies to your business. Tick off each item when you have confirmed it is in place.

Section 1 — Health and safety at work

• Have you identified your general duties as an employer (or self-employed person) under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974?
• Have you carried out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment covering the principal hazards of your operation — display screen equipment use, lone working (photographers on location, interpreters on assignment), studio electrical and lighting equipment, and manual handling of equipment?
• If you employ five or more people, is the risk assessment recorded in writing?
• Do you have a written health and safety policy (required if you employ five or more people)?
• Have you appointed a competent person to assist with health and safety?

Section 2 — Fire safety

• Have you carried out a fire risk assessment for all non-domestic premises — offices, design studios, photographic studios and any other workspace?
• Are escape routes clear, signed and adequately lit?
• Is fire detection and alarm equipment installed and regularly tested?
• Have all staff received fire safety training?

Section 3 — Employers' liability insurance

• If you employ anyone (including part-time, agency or contract workers under your direction), do you hold employers' liability insurance with at least £5 million cover?
• Is the certificate displayed at your premises or accessible electronically?

Section 4 — Equality and data protection

• Are you aware of your duties under the Equality Act 2010 (or equivalent Northern Ireland legislation) not to discriminate in employment or service provision?
• Have you considered reasonable adjustments for disabled employees?
• Have you registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) for data protection (unless exempt)?
• Have you identified the lawful basis for each type of personal data you process — employee records, client information, photographs of identifiable individuals, translation project files?
• Can you respond to a subject access request within one calendar month?

Section 5 — IPReg registration (patent and trade mark attorneys only)

• If you practise as a patent attorney or registered trade mark attorney, are you entered on the statutory register maintained by IPReg?
• Do you hold adequate professional indemnity insurance as required by IPReg?
• Are you meeting your continuing professional development obligations?
• Are you complying with the IPReg Code of Conduct?
• If you exercise reserved legal activities (conduct of IP litigation, rights of audience), do you hold additional authorisation from IPReg?