Health and safety can feel overwhelming for small business owners, but understanding your responsibilities doesn’t have to be complicated.
If you run a business in the UK and employ five or more people, you are legally required to have a written health and safety policy. Even with fewer employees, having clear processes in place is still considered best practice.
Here’s a simple breakdown of what you need to know about health and safety for SMEs and how to manage it confidently.
Your Health and Safety Policy: The Three Key Parts
A written health and safety policy should clearly explain how your business manages safety. It must include three sections:
1. Statement of Intent
This outlines your commitment to protecting the health, safety, and wellbeing of employees and others affected by your business.
2. Responsibilities
This section explains who is responsible for what. It should cover both employer responsibilities and what is expected from employees.
3. Arrangements
This details how health and safety is managed day to day, including:
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Fire and emergency procedures
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First aid arrangements
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Accident reporting
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Work activities and processes
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Welfare arrangements
Managing Risks in Your Business
If you have five or more employees, a written general risk assessment is also a legal requirement.
A risk assessment should:
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Identify potential hazards
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Explain who could be harmed
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Show how risks are controlled
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Be recorded and reviewed at least once a year
Some risks require more detailed assessments, including:
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Display screen equipment (PCs and laptops)
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Manual handling (lifting and carrying)
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Working at height
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Running events
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Handling chemicals
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Homeworking
Regular reviews help ensure your assessments stay relevant as your business evolves.
Consulting With Your Employees
Health and safety isn’t something that should be decided behind closed doors.
You must consult with employees by:
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Talking and listening about their work and risks
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Providing clear safety information
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Offering appropriate training
In small businesses, this may be direct communication. In larger organisations, consultation may happen through a health and safety representative.
Information and Training
Every employee needs to understand how to work safely.
This includes:
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Clear instructions for tasks
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Adequate training for specific risks
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Guidance to prevent injury and ill health
Employees must also have access to the Health and Safety Law poster or pocket card, which explains their rights and relevant contact details.
Getting It Right
Business owners must appoint someone competent to manage health and safety duties.
Competence means having the right:
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Skills
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Knowledge
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Experience
If you don’t feel confident managing health and safety in-house, external support or advice may be the best option. Getting it right from the start reduces risk, protects your team, and gives you peace of mind.
How MOMENTUM Can Help
Managing health and safety alongside everything else can be a lot for SME owners.
If you’d like guidance or support with health and safety processes, organisation, or compliance, we’re here to help.
📞 Call us on 01903 688789
📧 Email makeithappen@mbsmih.com
Let’s make health and safety clear, manageable, and stress-free.