A-Z of Guidance by Topic

Browse our full library of workplace health and safety guidance topics. Each topic links to a detailed page covering legal requirements, risk management, best practice and relevant training recommendations. Use the search or A–Z filter to find the topic you need.

Equipment

Abrasive Wheels

Safe handling, operation and compliance when using abrasive wheels in the workplace.

 Hazardous Substances

Asbestos Awareness

Recognise asbestos risks and understand safe management procedures.

 Qualifications

BOHS

British Occupational Hygiene Society accredited courses in workplace health and hygiene.

 Compliance

Building Safety

Manage fire, structural and compliance risks under the Building Safety Act.

 Qualifications

CABWI

CABWI accredited NRSWA training for safe street and road works compliance.

 Construction

CAT & Genny

Locating underground services before excavation using CAT and Genny detectors.

 Qualifications

CCNSG (ECITB)

Engineering construction site safety passport courses and certifications.

 Regulations

CDM Regulations

Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015 explained.

 Hazardous Substances

Chemical & Biological Hazards

Identify and control workplace chemical and biological hazards.

 Compliance

CHAS

Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme guidance and standards.

 Qualifications

CITB

Construction Industry Training Board accredited courses including SMSTS and SSSTS.

 Equipment

Compressed Air Safety

Hazards of compressed air and safe working practices to prevent injury.

 High Risk Work

Confined Spaces

Safe working practices, entry procedures and rescue requirements in confined spaces.

 Legal

Corporate Manslaughter

Legal responsibilities, penalties and prevention strategies for organisations.

 Hazardous Substances

COSHH

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations and risk management.

 Qualifications

CPCS

Construction Plant Competence Scheme courses for safe operation of plant machinery.

 Wellbeing

Drug & Alcohol Misuse

Managing substance misuse risks in the workplace.

 Compliance

Display Screen Equipment (DSE)

DSE safety, workstation ergonomics and legal compliance requirements.

 Hazardous Substances

Dust in the Workplace

Identify, manage and control dust hazards including silica and wood dust.

 Equipment

Electrical Hazards & Control

Control and isolate electrical hazards safely in the workplace.

 Environmental

Environmental Health & Safety

Comply with environmental regulations and sustainable safety practices.

 Qualifications

EUSR Card

Utility sector safety passport courses covering water, power, gas and drainage.

 Vulnerable Workers

Expectant Mothers

Special considerations and risk assessments for pregnant and new mother employees.

 PPE

Face Fit Testing

Ensure proper mask fit for respiratory protection and workplace compliance.

 Management

Facilities Management

Facilities management principles including compliance, maintenance and workplace safety.

 High Risk Work

Falls from Height

Preventing falls and injuries while working at height.

 Fire Safety

Fire Door Safety

Fire door inspection, maintenance and compliance requirements.

 Fire Safety

Fire Safety

Fire prevention strategies, risk assessment and emergency procedures.

 First Aid

First Aid

Emergency first aid skills and legal requirements for workplace provision.

 Food Safety

Food Safety & Hygiene

Safe food handling, HACCP, allergen management and legal compliance.

 Resources

Free Health & Safety Resources

Free guides, templates and health and safety resources.

 Sector Guidance

Healthcare Safety

Keeping staff, patients and visitors safe in healthcare environments.

 Legal

Health & Safety at Work Act 1974

Key duties, responsibilities and the legal framework of the HSWA 1974.

 Management

Health & Safety Audit

Structured audits to assess, monitor and improve workplace safety performance.

 Management

Health & Safety Consultants

Using health and safety consultants for workplace safety solutions.

 Management

Health & Safety Management Systems

Establishing and maintaining systems to manage workplace health and safety risks.

 Legal

Health & Safety Policy

Developing clear policies to meet legal and industry standards.

 Qualifications

Health & Safety Officer Courses

Skills, knowledge and certification needed to become a health and safety officer.

 Equipment

High-Pressure Systems

Hazards, control measures and safe working practices for high-pressure systems.

 Compliance

Home Working

Maintaining a safe and healthy remote workspace for employers and employees.

 Wellbeing

Human Factors & Ergonomics

Improve workplace safety, reduce errors and enhance productivity through ergonomics.

 Qualifications

IEMA

Environmental management and sustainability accredited training qualifications.

 Incidents

Incidents & Reporting

Accidents, near misses and RIDDOR reporting duties explained.

 Qualifications

IPAF (MEWPs)

Safety and operation training for Mobile Elevating Work Platforms.

 Qualifications

IOSH

IOSH Managing Safely, Working Safely and Leading Safely accredited courses.

 Environmental

ISO 14001

International Environmental Management System standard and implementation guidance.

 Hazardous Substances

Legionella

Prevention and control of Legionella bacteria in workplace water systems.

 Equipment

Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV)

Controlling workplace dust and fumes with effective LEV systems.

 Equipment

Lock Out / Tag Out (LOTO)

Prevent machinery accidents through proper lockout and tagout procedures.

 High Risk Work

Lone Worker Safety

Keeping employees safe while working alone, including risk assessments and controls.

 Regulations

LOLER

Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations compliance guidance.

 Management

Managing Health & Safety

Guidance on managing workplace risks and meeting legal responsibilities.

 Physical Hazards

Manual Handling

Safe lifting and carrying techniques and manual handling risk assessment.

 Wellbeing

Mental Health & Wellbeing

Promoting mental health, wellbeing and supportive workplaces.

 Vulnerable Workers

Migrant Workers

Employer duties and best practices to keep migrant workers safe.

 High Risk Work

Mobile Elevated Work Platforms

Safe operation, inspection and risk control for MEWP use at height.

 High Risk Work

Mobile Access Towers

Safe assembly, dismantling and use of mobile access towers at height.

 Physical Hazards

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)

Preventing MSDs through ergonomic design, manual handling and risk assessment.

 Qualifications

NEBOSH

NEBOSH General Certificate, Diploma and specialist certificate qualifications.

 Physical Hazards

Noise, Vibration & HAVS

Control noise exposure, vibration and Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome risks.

 Qualifications

NRSWA Street Works

Safe street works training and compliance with the New Roads and Street Works Act.

 Qualifications

NVQ Qualifications

Work-based NVQ qualifications in health and safety and construction industries.

 Qualifications

PASMA

PASMA accredited courses for safe use and inspection of mobile access towers.

 Equipment

PAT Testing

Portable appliance testing guidance for electrical safety and compliance.

 Equipment

Pipelines

Pipeline safety, risk management, inspections and HSE compliance.

 PPE

PPE

Personal protective equipment selection, legal duties and correct usage.

 Equipment

Pressure Systems

Safe operation, maintenance and compliance with PSSR regulations.

 Physical Hazards

Radiation

Managing ionising and non-ionising radiation risks in the workplace.

 PPE

Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)

Selecting, using and maintaining RPE to protect workers from airborne hazards.

 Incidents

RIDDOR

What to report under RIDDOR and how to stay compliant with UK law.

 Management

Risk Assessment

Step-by-step guidance to identify hazards and manage workplace risks.

 Transport

Road Safety

Reducing vehicle risks, protecting drivers and ensuring road safety compliance.

 Management

Safe Systems of Work

Structured procedures to ensure tasks are carried out safely and efficiently.

 High Risk Work

Scaffolding Safety

Safe erection, inspection and dismantling of scaffolds on construction sites.

 Hazardous Substances

SHARPS

Safe handling, disposal and risk prevention for sharps in the workplace.

 Physical Hazards

Skin at Work

Protecting workers from skin damage and occupational dermatitis.

 Physical Hazards

Slips, Trips & Falls

Preventing and managing slips, trips and falls to reduce workplace injuries.

 Qualifications

SMSTS

Site Management Safety Training Scheme for construction site managers.

 Qualifications

SPA Safety Passport

Safety Passport Alliance courses for petrol retail, food and drink and mineral products.

 Qualifications

SSSTS

Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme for construction site supervisors.

 Wellbeing

Stress at Work

Identifying, managing and reducing workplace stress to support employee wellbeing.

 Construction

Temporary Works

Managing hazards, inspection and safe use of temporary structures in construction.

 Transport

Transport Safety

Managing vehicle movements, site design and driver safety to prevent accidents.

 Transport

Vehicle Operator Safety

Safe operation, maintenance and compliance for workplace vehicles and plant.

 Wellbeing

Violence & Aggression at Work

Preventing, managing and responding to workplace violence and aggression.

 Vulnerable Workers

Vulnerable Workers

Identifying, protecting and supporting workers who face increased risks.

 Environmental

Waste Management

Waste handling, disposal, legal compliance and sustainable practices.

 Equipment

Welding Safety

Hazards, protective equipment and safe welding practices in the workplace.

 Equipment

Work Equipment & Machinery

Safe operation, maintenance and compliance for workplace machinery.

 High Risk Work

Working at Height

Safe access, fall protection and compliance for elevated work.

 Vulnerable Workers

Young Workers

Employer duties and best practices to keep young and inexperienced workers safe.

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Frequently asked questions

Hidden hazards include loose scaffolding, exposed wiring, and dust or chemical residues. Conduct regular inspections, use site safety checklists and ensure all workers are trained to recognise and report risks. See our guidance on risk assessment for a step-by-step approach.
Use local exhaust ventilation (LEV) as the primary control, followed by wet cleaning or HEPA-filtered vacuuming. Never use compressed air to disperse dust. Where engineering controls are insufficient, provide appropriate respiratory protective equipment (RPE). See our guidance on dust in the workplace for more detail.
Risk assessments should be reviewed at least annually, and immediately whenever there are significant changes to processes, equipment, substances, personnel or the working environment. They should also be reviewed following any accident, near miss or enforcement action.
Good ergonomics reduces fatigue, prevents musculoskeletal injuries and allows workers to perform tasks more comfortably and consistently. Poorly designed workstations and repetitive tasks are among the leading causes of long-term workplace ill health — ergonomic improvements reduce absence, increase output and improve morale.
Assess the severity of the hazard immediately and isolate or control the risk without delay. Document the report, investigate the root cause, implement corrective actions, and communicate the outcome to those affected. See our guidance on accident reporting and near miss training for a structured approach to incident management.
Human factors such as fatigue, stress, distraction, poor communication and inadequate training are contributing factors in the majority of workplace accidents. Addressing human factors through workload management, clear procedures, good communication and targeted training significantly reduces incident rates.
Keep walkways clear and free from obstructions, clean spills immediately, ensure adequate lighting, use appropriate flooring and anti-slip footwear where necessary, and mark changes in floor level clearly. Slips, trips and falls are the most common cause of workplace injuries in the UK — most are entirely preventable with basic controls in place.
Temporary and agency workers have the same legal protection as permanent employees and must receive a suitable site induction before starting work. Induction should cover site-specific hazards, emergency procedures, PPE requirements and reporting lines. Assign a named supervisor, monitor compliance during the first days on site, and provide access to relevant safety documentation. See our workplace health and safety training for appropriate e-learning options.
PPE is the last line of defence in the hierarchy of hazard controls — it should only be relied upon where engineering and administrative controls are insufficient to reduce risk to an acceptable level. Correct selection, fit-testing, training in use and maintenance are all essential. Providing PPE without training or fit checks offers little real protection.
Subscribe to HSE update notifications at hse.gov.uk, follow IOSH and NEBOSH communications, and ensure your safety personnel attend accredited training that reflects current regulations. Legislative updates are typically incorporated into accredited courses at the time of renewal — another reason to keep qualifications current rather than letting them lapse.

Stay up to date with workplace health and safety

As your business grows, workplace safety becomes increasingly complex. Keeping up to date with health and safety regulations isn’t just a legal requirement — it’s essential to protect your employees, reduce risks and prevent costly incidents. Falling behind on compliance makes managing safety reactive, time-consuming and expensive.

Whether you’re new to health and safety or running an established business, staying on top of your obligations means addressing these key areas:

  • Understanding your legal responsibilities as an employer
  • Providing appropriate health and safety training for all staff
  • Developing a simple, compliant health and safety policy
  • Keeping risk assessments current and relevant to your workplace
  • Ensuring your workforce holds the qualifications required for their role

Why health and safety training matters

Providing up-to-date health and safety training isn’t optional — it’s a fundamental part of running a safe and legally compliant workplace. Without proper training, the consequences can be serious:

  • Staff may be denied access to worksites or fail to meet contractor requirements
  • Accidents can occur that could have been prevented with adequate training
  • Your business could face HSE enforcement notices, unlimited fines or prosecution
  • Reputational damage can affect contracts, insurance and your ability to recruit

Accredited health and safety courses for every organisation

We offer accredited health and safety training suitable for all types of organisations. Training requirements vary depending on the size and nature of your business:

Small businesses

Many small businesses rely on external health and safety consultants to manage compliance and implement safety policies alongside core NEBOSH, IOSH and first aid qualifications for key staff.

Medium-sized organisations

Safety responsibilities are typically shared between internal staff and external consultants. A mix of management qualifications and role-specific compliance training keeps the organisation on track.

Large organisations

Larger companies usually employ dedicated health and safety professionals, but often need external expertise for specialist areas such as asbestos management, process safety or occupational hygiene.

The importance of health and safety training All accredited health and safety courses How to become a health and safety officer How to promote a positive safety culture

Outsourcing health and safety management

Outsourcing health and safety management does not remove your legal responsibilities as an employer. Every organisation must have a designated Responsible Person and a written health and safety policy. What outsourcing provides is the expertise to fulfil those responsibilities effectively.

Working with an external health and safety consultant gives your organisation:

  • Assurance that your business is fully compliant with current HSE legislation
  • Implementation of effective health and safety management systems
  • Access to specialist expertise across areas your internal team may not cover
  • Peace of mind that your workers are protected and your organisation is proactive