Are you Health and Safety Compliant? This is the time to ask yourself if you or your team is compliant. As the summer holidays wind down and employees return to work, September is the ideal time for businesses to review their health and safety practices. A seasonal reset not only ensures compliance with legal requirements but also helps create a safer, more productive workplace.
Whether you manage a small office or a large site, here are the three essential checks every business should carry out this autumn.
Are you Health and Safety Compliant?
Check Your First Aid Cover
Every workplace is legally required to provide adequate and appropriate first aid provision. But what counts as “adequate” is not static, it changes depending on staff levels, shift patterns, the nature of your work, and even seasonal variations like holidays.
For example, if your business has adopted hybrid working, you may need fewer first aiders on site on certain days but still enough cover to respond effectively. On the other hand, if September brings in new starters, apprentices, or seasonal staff, your requirements may increase.
When reviewing your provision, ask yourself:
Do you still have enough qualified first aiders on each shift?
It’s not enough to have one trained person on the books. If that person is away on holiday, off sick, or working remotely, you may be left without cover. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) expects employers to plan for absences.-
Have any first aid certificates expired or are they due to expire soon?
First aid qualifications typically last three years. If your designated staff are close to expiry, it’s wise to schedule refresher training before you find yourself without certified cover. -
Is your first aid kit fully stocked and accessible?
Kits should be checked regularly. Plasters, sterile wipes, and dressings get used up quickly, and items can go out of date. It’s also important to ensure the kit is easy to access and clearly signposted. -
Do staff know who the first aiders are?
Displaying a first aid notice board or including details in your staff handbook or induction pack ensures employees can get help quickly in an emergency. -
Are your first aiders confident and up to date?
Even if certificates are valid, skills can fade over time. Consider whether staff would benefit from an annual short refresher to boost confidence.
Tip: A quick audit of your first aid provision now saves time in emergencies, reduces risk to employees, and ensures you stay compliant with HSE guidance. It also reassures staff that their wellbeing is taken seriously.
Review Fire Safety Procedures
Fire safety isn’t something businesses can afford to overlook, it’s a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Yet, in many workplaces, fire drills and equipment checks often get pushed to the bottom of the to-do list, especially during busy periods. September is an ideal time to bring fire safety back into focus.
When reviewing your fire safety arrangements, consider the following:
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When was your last fire drill?
Fire drills should be carried out at least once a year, but many businesses benefit from running them more often. A drill helps staff practise evacuation routes and gives fire wardens the chance to test their response in a controlled situation. -
Are your fire wardens fully trained and confident in their roles?
A nominated fire warden is responsible for guiding colleagues to safety and ensuring procedures are followed. If staff turnover has been high or wardens haven’t had refresher training recently, confidence may be low. -
Is your fire equipment up to date and in working order?
Extinguishers, alarms, emergency lighting, and exit signage should all be inspected regularly. A faulty alarm or a blocked exit could have devastating consequences in a real emergency. -
Do employees understand what to do in case of fire?
Staff should know where the fire assembly point is, which exit routes to take, and who to report to. New employees or seasonal staff may not have been included in past drills, so it’s important to update them.
👉 Tip: A short fire drill and equipment check takes very little time but could save lives. Scheduling one now ensures that your team heads into the final quarter of the year prepared and confident.
Update Accident Books & Reporting Procedures
Accident reporting is more than just an administrative task, it’s a vital part of keeping employees safe and protecting your business from liability. Under health and safety law, certain workplace incidents must be recorded and, in some cases, reported under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations).
Here’s what to review this September:
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Are your accident books up to date and stored correctly?
Accident records must be kept secure but accessible. Make sure you’re using an HSE-compliant accident book and that completed entries are stored in line with GDPR requirements. -
Do employees know how to report incidents and near misses?
A clear reporting process ensures that even minor accidents are logged. Near misses are especially valuable to record, as they highlight potential risks before they lead to serious injuries. -
Have you identified and acted on recurring issues?
Reviewing your accident records can reveal patterns, for example, repeated slips in the same area, or frequent minor cuts from specific equipment. These insights allow you to make changes that reduce future risks. -
Are managers and supervisors trained to respond properly?
It’s not just about recording accidents; staff need to know what immediate action to take, how to complete reports accurately, and when to escalate an incident.
👉 Tip: A culture of open reporting creates a safer workplace. Encourage employees to log all incidents, however small, and use that information to strengthen your health and safety practices.
With these three areas; First Aid, Fire Safety, and Accident Reporting, reviewed and refreshed, your workplace will be in a stronger position to handle emergencies, meet legal requirements, and keep your staff safe.
What we Train – Are you Health and Safety Compliant?
All of our courses are tailored for the group of learners in a fun and friendly way. We consider your start and end times to adapt to your staff schedule. We can add any specifics from your polices, systems of work or previous accidents and risk assessments amendments. On our courses we can add any extra modules or certain previous accidents or near misses. The first aid courses can be adapted to include an element of health and safety. You are really getting a lot for your money and time taking courses with HMB Training Services. Let’s teach you what you need to know before giving CPR.
Emergency First Aid at work;
The Emergency First Aid at Work course is a vital training designed to equip individuals with the necessary skills to handle emergency situations in the workplace. This course provides participants with the knowledge and confidence to effectively respond to injuries, illnesses, and accidents that may occur on-site. Covering topics such as assessing and managing incidents, CPR, choking, bleeding control, and more. The Emergency First Aid at Work course ensures that attendees are prepared to provide immediate and appropriate assistance until professional medical help arrives. This comprehensive training is essential for creating a safe and prepared work environment, where employees can confidently handle emergencies and potentially save lives.
First Aid at Work;
The First Aid at Work course is a comprehensive training course designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively respond to a wide range of medical emergencies in the workplace. This course goes beyond basic first aid training and covers topics such as assessing and managing incidents, CPR and AED usage, treating various injuries and illnesses, dealing with trauma, and more. Participants will learn how to handle emergency situations calmly and efficiently, ensuring the well-being of their colleagues and reducing the risk of further harm. The First Aid at Work course is essential for designated workplace first aiders, supervisors, and anyone responsible for the health and safety of employees. By completing this course, individuals can play a crucial role in promoting a safe and prepared work environment, where prompt and effective first aid can make a significant difference in saving lives and minimising the impact of injuries or illnesses.
Why is it vital to know how to administer First Aid
- Reduce accidents and injuries in your workplace
- Quick reaction and speed in administrating first aid will help save lives
- Reduce the number of incidents by sufficient trained first aiders
- Become more confident and knowledgeable in treating someone
- Increases safety within the workplace; having first aid training promotes a sense of safety and well-being
- Reduce the cost to the employer; reduce staff absences and fines from HSE
- First aid Training is a form of team-building activity
If you are looking to learn more about first aid training courses click here
Additionally, please do call us on 01543 453338 to see how we can help with delivering group training courses – Are you Health and Safety Compliant?
