Journey

Health and safety compliance checklist

Quick compliance checklist for experienced employers to verify they meet core HSE requirements. Covers legal duties, risk assessment, first aid, accident reporting, and record keeping.

Running a Business Updated 15 September 2026

6 milestones references 4 guides

Quick HSE compliance check

Use this checklist to verify your business meets core health and safety requirements. Designed for experienced employers who know the basics but want to confirm compliance.

Time needed: 10 minutes to review.

Core legal duties

Check you meet these fundamental requirements under HASAWA 1974:

Employers' Liability insurance in place (minimum £5 million cover) EL certificate displayed or accessible to employees Written health and safety policy (required if 5+ employees) (optional) Competent person appointed to assist with H&S duties Employees consulted on health and safety matters Information, instruction and training provided to employees

Your duties under HASAWA 1974

Full guide to employer duties under health and safety law

Essential requirements

These apply to all employers from day one, regardless of size.

Written policy (5+ employees)

Required by law - must record your health and safety policy

Risk assessment

All employers must assess workplace risks and act on findings

Employers' Liability insurance

Mandatory £5 million minimum cover (£2,500/day penalty)

First aid provision

Assess needs and provide appropriate equipment and trained staff

Accident book (RIDDOR)

Record injuries and report serious incidents to HSE

HSE - Getting started with health and safety (opens in a new tab)
Risk assessment

Verify your risk assessment is current and complete:

Risk assessment covers all significant workplace hazards Risk assessment recorded in writing (required if 5+ employees) (optional) Groups at particular risk identified (young workers, pregnant workers) Control measures in place for identified risks Risk assessment reviewed in past 12 months or after significant change Employees informed of risks and control measures

Conduct a workplace risk assessment

The 5-step process and when to review

Guv’s take

Review triggers: You must review risk assessments when work activities change, after incidents, when new information becomes available, or if controls are found inadequate.
First aid provision

Check your first aid arrangements are adequate:

First aid needs assessment completed Appropriate first aiders or appointed persons in place First aider certificates valid (not expired - 3 year validity) First aid boxes stocked and accessible First aider contact details displayed Coverage in place for all shifts and absences

Provide first aid at work

First aid needs assessment and personnel requirements
Accident reporting (RIDDOR)

Verify your accident reporting is compliant:

Accident book in place for recording all workplace injuries Staff know how to report workplace accidents Process in place for RIDDOR reporting of serious incidents RIDDOR reports kept for minimum 3 years Accidents investigated to prevent recurrence

Report workplace injuries under RIDDOR

What to report, reporting deadlines, and how to report

RIDDOR reporting deadlines

Take note

Specified injuries requiring immediate report: Fractures (except fingers/toes), amputations, loss of sight, crush injuries, burns over 10% body, loss of consciousness, scalping, enclosed space injuries requiring resuscitation or 24h+ hospital admission.
Documentation and records

Check you maintain required records:

Risk assessments recorded (if 5+ employees) (optional) Written H&S policy (if 5+ employees) (optional) Accident book kept and maintained RIDDOR reports retained for 3+ years Training records maintained Equipment inspection records (if applicable)

Record retention periods

Different H&S; records have different retention requirements.

Health surveillance records (COSHH)

40 years

Health surveillance rationale

Reflects long latency of occupational illnesses

Accident book / first aid records

3 years minimum

Serious incidents

Longer retention required

Authority

HSE
Key thresholds and penalties
Know the thresholds that trigger additional requirements:

Take note

Director liability: Under Section 37 of HASAWA 1974, directors and managers can be personally prosecuted if offences are committed with their consent, connivance, or due to their neglect.

Useful resources

hse.gov.uk
HSE risk assessment templates (opens in a new tab)

Free downloadable templates from the Health and Safety Executive

notifications.hse.gov.uk
Report a RIDDOR incident (opens in a new tab)

HSE online reporting system (24/7)

hse.gov.uk
HSE guidance for employers (opens in a new tab)

Comprehensive health and safety guidance from HSE
Failed any checks?

If you identified gaps in compliance, take immediate action:
1. Critical gaps (missing EL insurance, no risk assessment) - address immediately
2. Documentation gaps (expired certificates, missing records) - schedule time this week
3. Process gaps (untrained staff, no accident reporting process) - plan training
Comprehensive H&S compliance journey

Full journey covering all HSE regulations in detail

Health and safety compliance checklist

Quick HSE compliance check

Core legal duties

Risk assessment

First aid provision

Accident reporting (RIDDOR)

RIDDOR reporting deadlines

Documentation and records

Key thresholds and penalties

Useful resources

Failed any checks?

Related journeys

Health and safety for new employers

Meet workplace health and safety requirements

Manage your employees

Respond to a workplace accident