Health and Safety Insights, Compliance Tips & Legal Updates

Competent Person

What Is a Health and Safety Competent Person — And Why Your Business Must Have One

What Is a Health and Safety Competent Person — And Why Every Business Needs One A health and safety competent person is a legal requirement for UK businesses and must have the knowledge, training and experience to help manage workplace risks and ensure compliance. This guide explains the competent person health and safety definition, required

January 29, 2026 No Comments

Competent Person

SME Sentenced After PUWER Breaches and Death of Employee

SME sentenced after PUWER breaches and death of employee Stanley Wire Limited was fined after an operative suffered a fatal head injury due to failures to comply with PUWER and basic health and safety requirements. The HSE found the company had not appointed a competent person, resulting in inadequate machinery guarding and uncontrolled risk. Table

January 28, 2026 No Comments

Manufacturing machinery safety audit example showing entanglement risk on a radial-arm drill.

Competent Person

New Year, Same Responsibilities: Manufacturing Firm Fined After Apprentice Suffers Serious Injuries

New Year, Same Responsibilities: Manufacturing Firm Fined After Apprentice Suffers Serious Injuries As businesses reflect on the year just gone and prepare for the year ahead, a recent prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is a timely reminder that health and safety responsibilities do not reset with the calendar. The case involved a

December 31, 2025 4 Comments

Competent Person

HSE Visit After a Workplace Accident – What Directors Need to Know

HSE Visit After a Workplace Accident – What Directors Need to Know A visit from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Local Authority Environmental Health Officer (EHO), or Fire Safety Officer almost always follows a workplace accident, injury, or dangerous occurrence. For directors, this is a critical moment.The accident itself may already be under control,

December 19, 2025 2 Comments

Electric vehicle charging station with a car parked in the background at a commercial site on a bright day

Fire Safety

Fire Risk Assessment Considerations for Electric Vehicle Charging Points – What Every Business Should Know

Fire Risk Assessment Considerations for Electric Vehicle Charging Points – What Every Business Should Know With the government offering tax incentives for electric vehicle (EV) use, many small businesses are now installing EV charging points at their premises. While this is a positive step towards sustainability, it’s important not to overlook fire safety. A few

December 9, 2025 5 Comments

Fire Safety

What is the Safest Option for Portable Heating in the Office?

What is the Safest Option for Portable Heating in the Office? Let’s get straight to the point – it’s only a portable heater, right? You might use one at home, bought from a local supermarket or hardware store, and think, “Nothing’s ever happened, so it can’t be a big deal at work.” Wrong – and

October 31, 2025 6 Comments