Top 10 Workplace Safety Tips to Stay HSE Compliant and Protect Your People

Creating a safe working environment isn’t just about ticking legal boxes—it’s about doing the right thing for your team, your customers, and your business reputation.

Whether you run a retail store, construction site, office, or factory, health and safety is everyone’s responsibility. But as an employer, it starts with you.

An average of 581,000 workers are injured in workplace accidents each year and a further 674,000 workers each year suffered a new case of ill health which they believe to be caused or made worse by their work. Ensuring that extensive Risk Assessments are carried out and knowledgeable First Aiders are on site with the ability to deal with site specific hazards and accidents is the first step to ensuring a safe, thriving workplace, which naturally, improves morale! Now what company doesn't want their employees happy, feeling safe and motivated to work!?

Here are 10 essential safety tips every business should follow to stay compliant with HSE regulations—and to show you're serious about keeping your workplace safe.

1. Carry Out Regular Risk Assessments

As an employer, you're legally required to assess and document any potential hazards in your workplace. This is the foundation of a safe working environment.

When carrying out a risk assessment, it’s important to consider the severity of each potential outcome. Serious risks—such as life-threatening injuries from machinery—must be properly controlled and reduced as much as possible.

For less serious risks, such as minor bruises or cuts, you’ll need to weigh up the likelihood of harm against the impact of mitigation. This includes considering factors like time, cost, and business disruption. Not every low-level risk needs immediate action—but every decision should be reasoned, recorded, and justifiable.

Risk assessments must be reviewed regularly and updated whenever there are changes—such as new equipment, procedures, or staff.

✅ Tip: Make sure your risk assessments are clear, practical, and reflect real working conditions. It shows you're proactive, not just compliant.

2. Train Employees on Health & Safety Basics

Training isn’t just a box to tick—it’s a vital part of creating a safe and compliant workplace. Every employee should be familiar with your health and safety policies, emergency procedures, and how to operate equipment safely.

Proper training not only reduces the risk of accidents, but it also builds confidence and ensures your business meets its legal obligations.

Just like first aid, health and safety is a shared responsibility. But without the right knowledge, no one can be expected to carry that responsibility effectively. If your team doesn’t know what to do, they can’t be held accountable—and you can’t be confident that your workplace is truly safe.

3. Appoint a Competent Person

Under HSE regulations, every business must appoint at least one ‘competent person’ to oversee health and safety duties. This person (or group of people, depending on the size and complexity of the business) must have the right level of training, experience, and understanding to identify hazards, assess risks, and take appropriate action to protect staff and customers.

But competence doesn’t stop at spotting risks—it must also include the ability to respond when something goes wrong. That’s where first aid provision becomes essential.

• In low-risk environments like offices or retail spaces, a basic Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) qualification may be sufficient.

• In higher-risk settings such as construction sites, factories, or kitchens, you’ll likely need someone trained in First Aid at Work (FAW) or other more advanced or industry-specific qualifications.

Larger businesses may need multiple competent persons across different departments or shifts, especially if you operate extended hours or have staff working off-site.

⛑️ Remember: being able to manage health and safety also means being able to act in an emergency. Having trained first aiders on-site isn’t just good practice—it’s a legal requirement in most workplaces.

Ensuring you have enough qualified individuals to meet both safety and first aid responsibilities is a clear sign that your business takes its duty of care seriously.

4. Ensure Fire Safety Compliance

Fire safety is non-negotiable. Carry out a fire risk assessment, maintain extinguishers, clearly mark exits, and conduct regular fire drills. You must also have designated fire marshals trained to respond in emergencies.

5. Provide Clear Signage and Information

Safety signage isn’t just a legal requirement—it plays a vital role in keeping everyone informed and aware. Whether it’s a wet floor sign, a machine operating warning, or a clearly marked emergency exit, your signage must be visible, accurate, and fully HSE-compliant.

Good signage does more than prevent accidents—it helps build a workplace culture that values safety, awareness, and shared responsibility. When employees see that safety is a priority, morale improves, and your business earns a reputation for putting people first.

6. Keep the Workplace Clean and Organized

Slips, trips, and falls are some of the most common workplace accidents—and they’re often avoidable. Good housekeeping (clean floors, safe storage, clear walkways) goes a long way in keeping everyone safe. Keep tabs on it, use schedules that are monitored and frequent. Keep on top of the mess!

7. Use and Maintain the Right PPE

If your work environment includes any level of physical risk (from chemicals to tools or even viruses), Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential. Provide the correct gear—and ensure it's used and maintained properly. But don't go overboard! This can have a negative effect on the employees morale and cause ineffective staff.

8. Encourage a Culture of Reporting

Make it easy and safe for staff to report hazards, near-misses, or unsafe behaviour. An open reporting culture means risks can be tackled early—before they turn into accidents. Just dont word it like they are snitching! Nobody wants to think they are telling on someone! "Constructive criticism" and "Learning Curves" are all positive ways to approach unsafe behaviour or negligent behaviour - Dependant on the severity of course!

9. Review Policies After an Incident

If something goes wrong, treat it as a learning opportunity. Review your procedures, investigate the root cause, and update policies and risk assessments if needed. This shows HSE inspectors—and your staff—that you’re committed to continual improvement. Don't forget that if something is RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) it is an employers legal responsibility to raise this to HSE!

10. Offer First Aid Training and Appoint First Aiders

Under HSE regulations, every workplace must have appropriate first aid provision in place. This is not just about having a basic first aid kit in the corner—it means having well-stocked, easily accessible first aid kits and a clear plan for first aid cover at all times.

A qualified first aider is your first line of defence in an emergency. Whether it’s a minor injury or a serious medical situation, quick and effective first aid can make all the difference. Not only is this a legal requirement, but having trained staff ensures that your team is capable of managing medical emergencies until professional help arrives.

The number of first aiders required will depend on the size of your workforce and the level of risk involved. For higher-risk environments (like construction sites, warehouses, or manufacturing plants), you may need multiple first aiders with advanced qualifications like First Aid at Work (FAW).

⛑️ Remember, the quicker and more effectively a situation is handled, the better the outcome for the individual involved—and the less disruption to your business.

Don’t underestimate the power of first aid. It’s not just about compliance, it’s about creating a workplace where people feel safe, supported, and confident that help is always at hand.

Show You’re Serious About Safety

Book an Emergency First Aid at Work Course Today

At ALFA (All Life First Aid), we offer fully certified Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) and First Aid at Work (FAW) courses designed to meet HSE standards. Whether you're a small team or a large business, we’ll help you meet your legal obligations—and give your staff the confidence to act in a real emergency.

💼 Courses available for individuals, teams, and on-site workplace training.🕒 One-day certification📍 Delivered across London, Greater London, West London and other locations.

👉 Book your EFAW course now or Contact us for group training!