# What Compliance source-linked knowledge library Source-checked drafts. Specialist sign-off pending. Preserve scope and attribution. # Does my business need a fire risk assessment? Start with the risks in your building, the people using it and who is responsible for each part. Jurisdiction: England, Wales Source check: 2026-11-03. Editorial status: source-checked draft; specialist sign-off pending. ## Who this covers Employers and people with control of non-domestic premises, including landlords and managing agents. Shared premises can have more than one responsible person. ## The requirement The responsible person must assess fire risks, keep a written record, maintain suitable fire precautions and plan for emergencies. Staff need relevant information and training. ## Practical steps - Identify the responsible person and agree responsibilities for shared areas. - Check that the written assessment reflects the building and everyone who uses it. - Give each action an owner and check that it has been completed. ## Common mistake Buying a report does not complete your duties. Act on its findings. A new report every year is not a universal substitute for reviewing risks and changes. ## Timing Review regularly and when the building, its use or the risks change. Set a suitable review date for your premises. ## Questions for a provider - What experience do you have with premises like ours? - Will the report include prioritised actions and explain what we can do ourselves? - What information do you need about our building and its occupants? ## Official sources - [GOV.UK: who is responsible for fire safety](https://www.gov.uk/workplace-fire-safety-your-responsibilities) - [GOV.UK: fire risk assessments](https://www.gov.uk/workplace-fire-safety-your-responsibilities/fire-risk-assessments) General information, not an assessment or a statement that a business is compliant. ## Bring the building manager and occupier into the same conversation ### Before you commission work Before the assessment, collect the previous action list and identify who can answer questions about shared areas. Explain changes in layout, use and occupancy, including activities outside normal opening hours. Give the assessor access to the people who understand how the premises actually operate, not only the person authorised to pay the invoice. ### Follow through on the result When the report arrives, separate actions your organisation controls from those requiring the landlord or another occupier. Record who has received each shared-area concern and who is following it up. Ask the competent assessor to explain unclear priorities; forwarding the report to another organisation is not evidence that a problem has been resolved. ## Related buying guides - [Fire risk assessment costs: what should a quote include?](https://whatcompliance.com/buying-guides/fire-risk-assessment-costs-and-quotes) ## Buying the right work - Find the existing assessment and its outstanding actions before paying for a replacement. - Tell the assessor about the building’s use, opening hours, occupants and any sleeping accommodation. - Agree the areas included, access needed, report format and how urgent findings will be raised. ## What you can do yourself GOV.UK provides premises-specific guides to help with an assessment. Whether you can do the work yourself depends on having the necessary competence for your building and its risks. ## When to get help Appoint a competent person if you do not have the time or expertise. Complex buildings, sleeping accommodation and people needing assistance deserve particular care when choosing an assessor. ## Records to keep - Your written assessment and the information used to produce it. - A record of actions, their owners and follow-up. - Relevant training, checks, maintenance and arrangements with other responsible people. ## Does a business with fewer than five staff need a written fire risk assessment? Yes, where the England and Wales fire-safety framework covered here applies, the fire risk assessment must be recorded. Do not confuse this with the separate five-employee threshold for recording a general workplace risk assessment. ## Is the landlord always responsible? No. Employers, owners, landlords, occupiers and others with control can have responsibilities. In shared premises, responsible people need to cooperate. ## Must I buy a new fire risk assessment every year? The assessment needs regular review and must remain suitable. A fixed annual replacement purchase is not the same as an effective review and action process. Source check for this expanded guide: 2026-11-03. Specialist sign-off pending. --- # Is annual PAT testing a legal requirement? Electrical equipment must be safe. The right inspection and testing regime depends on how it is used. Jurisdiction: England, Wales, Scotland Source check: 2026-11-03. Editorial status: source-checked draft; specialist sign-off pending. ## Who this covers Businesses that provide or use electrical equipment at work. Fixed installations and portable appliances need different consideration. ## The requirement Maintain electrical equipment so that it does not cause danger. Decide what checks, inspection and testing are appropriate to the equipment and its environment. ## Practical steps - List the equipment, where it is used and how easily it can be damaged. - Arrange user checks, inspection and testing proportionate to those risks. - Take damaged equipment out of use and arrange competent repairs. ## Common mistake There is no blanket legal requirement for annual PAT testing. A sticker is not proof that every electrical risk has been addressed. ## Timing Risk-based. Equipment used outdoors or moved often may need more attention than equipment in a low-risk office. ## Questions for a provider - How have you chosen the testing intervals? - Which items need testing and which need visual inspection? - What happens if you find unsafe equipment? ## Official sources - [HSE: maintaining portable equipment in low-risk environments](https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg236.htm) - [HSE: portable appliance testing FAQs](https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/faq-portable-appliance-testing.htm) General information, not an assessment or a statement that a business is compliant. ## Make the equipment list useful for the next visit ### Before you commission work Include equipment used away from the main workplace and tell the provider which items will not be available. Agree a consistent way of identifying items so a failed result can be matched to the right device. Explain when equipment can be accessed without interrupting essential operations and who can answer questions on the day. ### Follow through on the result Reconcile the results with the expected list. Keep unavailable equipment visible rather than marking the entire site complete. Where items are repaired, replaced or removed, update the list so next time you are not paying to search for assets that no longer exist. Ask for the reasoning behind future checks to be recorded. ## Related buying guides - [PAT testing costs: compare quotes and avoid unnecessary tests](https://whatcompliance.com/buying-guides/pat-testing-costs-and-quotes) ## Buying the right work - Ask which items need a visual inspection, an electrical test, or both. - Agree the item count, minimum charge, access arrangements and what happens to failed items. - Ask how the proposed interval reflects the equipment and its use. An insurer or contract may impose a separate condition. ## What you can do yourself A staff member with enough knowledge and training may be able to carry out visual checks in a low-risk workplace. Do not open equipment or attempt an electrical test without the competence to do it safely. ## When to get help Combined inspection and testing needs suitable equipment and someone who knows how to use it and interpret the results. Damaged equipment needs attention now, not a fresh sticker at the next visit. ## Records to keep - An equipment list that distinguishes portable equipment from the fixed installation. - The reason for your inspection and testing arrangements. - Findings, repairs and decisions about damaged items. HSE says PAT records and labels are useful management tools, rather than universal legal requirements. ## Does new equipment need PAT testing? HSE says new equipment should be supplied in a safe condition and normally does not need formal inspection or testing. A visual check for damage is sensible. ## Does PAT testing cover our wiring? No. Portable equipment maintenance and assessment of the fixed electrical installation are different jobs. Check the scope of each quote. ## Does a PAT sticker prove an item is safe? It records a check at a point in time. Equipment can be damaged afterwards. Users still need a way to recognise and report defects. Source check for this expanded guide: 2026-11-03. Specialist sign-off pending. --- # Where do I start with a workplace risk assessment? Understand what could harm people in your business and take practical steps to control it. Jurisdiction: England, Wales, Scotland Source check: 2026-11-03. Editorial status: source-checked draft; specialist sign-off pending. ## Who this covers Employers. Self-employed people should check whether their work puts others at risk or falls within activities covered by health and safety law. ## The requirement Identify hazards, assess the risks and eliminate them or put suitable controls in place. Record significant findings if you employ five or more people. ## Practical steps - Walk through your activities with the people who do the work. - Identify who could be harmed, including visitors and contractors. - Put controls in place and review them when circumstances change. ## Common mistake A generic template is a starting point, not an assessment of your workplace. Having fewer than five employees does not remove the duty to assess risks. ## Timing Review when controls may no longer work, after relevant incidents or when work changes. There is no single review interval for every business. ## Questions for a provider - Will you assess our actual work activities? - How will our staff be involved? - Will the actions be proportionate to our risks? ## Official sources - [HSE: managing risks at work](https://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/risk/index.htm) - [HSE: steps needed to manage risk](https://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/risk/steps-needed-to-manage-risk.htm) General information, not an assessment or a statement that a business is compliant. ## Assess the work people actually do ### Before you commission work Invite the people who carry out each task to describe normal work and the awkward exceptions: deliveries, cleaning, breakdowns and staff shortages. Gather previous concerns and near-miss information. If commissioning help, explain which activities need attention rather than simply requesting a complete health and safety folder. ### Follow through on the result Turn findings into specific changes with a named owner. “Be careful” is difficult to implement or verify; ask what practical change is intended. Review progress with the workers affected and check whether the change works during a normal shift. Record unresolved questions for someone with the appropriate competence rather than treating them as completed actions. ## Related buying guides - [Health and safety consultant costs: project or retainer?](https://whatcompliance.com/buying-guides/health-and-safety-consultant-costs) ## Buying the right work - List your actual activities, including cleaning, deliveries and maintenance. - Involve the people who do the work and identify what is already controlled. - Ask for an assessment of your activities, with practical actions, rather than a generic document pack. ## What you can do yourself You may be able to assess straightforward risks yourself using HSE’s guidance and your knowledge of the work. A template can organise your findings; it cannot inspect the workplace for you. ## When to get help Use competent help when you cannot assess or control the risks adequately. Bring in relevant expertise for specialist activities, rather than expecting one generic assessment to settle every issue. ## Records to keep - The hazards and who could be harmed. - Existing controls, further actions and who will complete them. - Review triggers such as new equipment, changed work or an incident. ## Do I need a consultant to complete every risk assessment? No. HSE says you can do it yourself or appoint a competent person to help. The important question is whether the assessment and controls are suitable for the work. ## Must every risk assessment be reviewed annually? Review the controls when they may no longer be effective or work changes, and consider incidents and staff concerns. A calendar date is useful organisation, not a substitute for those triggers. Source check for this expanded guide: 2026-11-03. Specialist sign-off pending. --- # Do I need a legionella assessment or a water test? Assess your water system first. An assessment and a water sample answer different questions. Jurisdiction: England, Wales, Scotland Source check: 2026-11-03. Editorial status: source-checked draft; specialist sign-off pending. ## Who this covers Employers and people in control of premises, including landlords, with responsibility for water systems. ## The requirement Identify and assess sources of legionella risk, prevent or control exposure, manage the risks and keep the appropriate records. ## Practical steps - Identify your water systems and who is responsible for them. - Assess the system, its use and anyone particularly vulnerable. - Put proportionate controls and monitoring in place. ## Common mistake A water sample does not replace an assessment. HSE says domestic landlords do not need a legionella test certificate; sampling is not usually required for domestic hot and cold water systems. ## Timing Review the assessment regularly and when the system or its use changes. Controls depend on the assessment. ## Questions for a provider - Why does our system need the proposed monitoring or sampling? - Who will manage the controls after the assessment? - Does the assessment cover periods of low use? ## Official sources - [HSE: legionella duties](https://www.hse.gov.uk/legionnaires/what-you-must-do/index.htm) - [HSE: landlords and legionella](https://www.hse.gov.uk/Legionnaires/legionella-landlords-responsibilities.htm) General information, not an assessment or a statement that a business is compliant. ## Connect the assessment to everyday water-system management ### Before you commission work Locate existing assessments, system information and monitoring records. Ask the person maintaining the building about changes, unused areas and access restrictions. Tell the provider which tasks are done by staff and which are contracted out so their proposal can identify gaps or duplicated work. ### Follow through on the result Ask for the report to be explained to the person who will manage the actions. Confirm what happens when a planned task is missed or a finding needs escalation. Keep records accessible when staff or suppliers change. If a recommendation cannot be implemented as described, ask the competent provider to resolve that difficulty instead of silently changing the instruction. ## Related buying guides - [Legionella risk assessment quotes: assessment, sampling and monitoring](https://whatcompliance.com/buying-guides/legionella-risk-assessment-quotes) ## Buying the right work - Identify who controls the system and collect existing information. - Explain periods of low use, stored water and any planned system changes. - Ask what a proposed sample will tell you and why it is appropriate to this system. ## What you can do yourself HSE describes a proportionate approach to low-risk domestic rental systems. Some simple systems can be assessed by someone with an adequate understanding; more complex systems may require specialist help. ## When to get help Use competent advice if the system, its condition or its users make the risk unclear. Do not assume the low-risk domestic examples apply to a workplace cooling tower or a complex healthcare system. ## Records to keep - The system assessed, responsibilities and significant findings. - Any control scheme, monitoring and actions relevant to the risk. - Changes in use, occupancy or system condition that may require review. ## Do domestic landlords need a legionella test certificate? HSE says there is no such requirement for domestic landlords. They still need to assess and control legionella risks. ## Does a clear water sample mean the risk is managed? A sample is a result for a point in time. It does not establish whether responsibilities, system management and controls are adequate. Source check for this expanded guide: 2026-11-03. Specialist sign-off pending. --- # Who is responsible for asbestos in our building? Check responsibility for maintenance and repair before deciding what survey or management work is needed. Jurisdiction: England, Wales, Scotland Source check: 2026-11-03. Editorial status: source-checked draft; specialist sign-off pending. ## Who this covers People with maintenance or repair responsibilities for non-domestic buildings and common parts of multi-occupancy domestic buildings. ## The requirement Establish whether asbestos is present or presume it is, assess its condition and risks, maintain a register and manage exposure. Give relevant information to anyone who could disturb it. ## Practical steps - Check the lease and maintenance responsibilities. - Find existing survey records and assess whether they are sufficient for the planned work. - Keep the register and management plan current and share them before work starts. ## Common mistake A management survey is not automatically enough for intrusive refurbishment. Do not disturb suspected materials while waiting for advice. ## Timing HSE says to review the management plan every 12 months, or sooner if necessary, and monitor material condition. ## Questions for a provider - Is the survey suitable for our planned work? - Are there inaccessible areas or assumptions we need to resolve? - How will you assess and report material condition? ## Official sources - [HSE: the duty to manage asbestos](https://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/duty/) - [HSE: asbestos FAQs](https://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/faq.htm) General information, not an assessment or a statement that a business is compliant. ## Check the information before commissioning building work ### Before you commission work Give the surveyor a clear description of the planned work and the areas it may disturb. Include previous surveys and their restrictions. A contractor pricing a fit-out needs relevant building information early enough to plan; sending a register after arrival can leave important questions unresolved. ### Follow through on the result Ask how the findings affect the proposed project and which areas still need investigation. Keep the scope and limitations with the report when sharing it, rather than circulating a reassuring summary on its own. Update the management information after relevant work so future contractors do not rely on superseded assumptions. ## Related buying guides - [Asbestos survey quotes: management or refurbishment survey?](https://whatcompliance.com/buying-guides/asbestos-survey-quotes) ## Buying the right work - Check the lease and the parts of the building each party maintains. - Find the register, management plan and earlier survey limitations. - Describe proposed refurbishment or intrusive work before asking for a survey price. ## What you can do yourself You can assemble records, clarify responsibilities and make sure contractors receive relevant information. Assess your competence before taking on the technical parts of asbestos management. ## When to get help Use competent specialists for surveying and any work that may disturb asbestos. Do not sample or disturb a suspect material simply to find out what it is. ## Records to keep - The asbestos register and survey scope, including inaccessible areas. - A current management plan and condition checks. - Evidence that people who might disturb materials received the relevant information. ## Does suspected asbestos always have to be removed? Do not assume removal is the first step. The duty is to manage the risk, and a competent assessment should determine what is appropriate for the material, condition and planned work. ## Is the landlord automatically the dutyholder? The duty can fall on an owner, landlord or someone with maintenance or repair responsibilities. Check the actual arrangement. Source check for this expanded guide: 2026-11-03. Specialist sign-off pending. --- # How many first-aiders does my business need? Your working patterns and risks matter as much as the number of staff. Jurisdiction: England, Wales, Scotland Source check: 2026-11-03. Editorial status: source-checked draft; specialist sign-off pending. ## Who this covers Employers, including small businesses. Consider each workplace, working hours, absences and lone workers. ## The requirement Provide adequate first-aid equipment, facilities and personnel. Make sure employees know the arrangements. ## Practical steps - Complete a first-aid needs assessment for your workforce and risks. - Provide a stocked kit and someone to take charge of arrangements. - Arrange trained first-aiders where your assessment identifies a need, including absence cover. ## Common mistake There is no single staff-to-first-aider ratio that answers every situation. In some small low-risk workplaces an appointed person is sufficient; that is a different role from a trained first-aider. ## Timing Review when the workforce, work or risks change and maintain suitable cover. ## Questions for a provider - Which course meets the needs identified in our assessment? - How do we cover shifts, holidays and sickness? - How is the training provider competent? ## Official sources - [HSE: what employers need to do about first aid](https://www.hse.gov.uk/firstaid/what-employers-need-to-do.htm) General information, not an assessment or a statement that a business is compliant. ## Look at cover across the working week ### Before you commission work Map the people present across shifts, sites, lone-working arrangements and planned leave. Identify who maintains supplies and communicates the arrangements. If purchasing training, explain the role you need the learner to fulfil and check that the course fits the assessed need. ### Follow through on the result After training, update staff information and absence arrangements. Keep completion records and course details available to the person planning future cover. A place booked is not a qualification completed; follow up cancellations or unsuccessful completion before assuming the intended cover exists. ## Related buying guides - [First aid training costs: choose the course and cover you need](https://whatcompliance.com/buying-guides/first-aid-training-costs) ## Buying the right work - Assess the needs of the work before selecting a course. - Check shift patterns, holidays, lone working and access to emergency help. - Ask what the training equips someone to do and how you will maintain cover. ## What you can do yourself An employer can assess their needs using HSE guidance. In some small, low-risk workplaces, a stocked kit and an appointed person may be enough. That role is different from a trained first-aider. ## When to get help Higher-risk activities or more complex working arrangements may call for trained first-aiders and additional provision. Choose training that fits the assessed need. ## Records to keep - The needs assessment and the arrangements chosen. - Training details where relevant, and a plan for absence cover. - How staff are told where to get first-aid help. ## Is there one legal first-aider ratio for all businesses? No single staff ratio settles every workplace’s needs. Assess the hazards and working arrangements as well as employee numbers. ## Does an appointed person need first-aid training? HSE says an appointed person does not need specific first-aid training. They take charge of arrangements, such as calling emergency services and looking after equipment; this is not the same role as a trained first-aider. Source check for this expanded guide: 2026-11-03. Specialist sign-off pending. --- # What gas safety checks does a landlord need? Establish which appliances and flues you are responsible for and use a suitably registered engineer. Jurisdiction: England, Wales, Scotland Source check: 2026-11-03. Editorial status: source-checked draft; specialist sign-off pending. ## Who this covers Landlords of relevant rented accommodation with gas appliances or flues within their responsibilities. Commercial premises need a separate assessment. ## The requirement Maintain relevant gas fittings and flues, arrange the required annual safety check and provide and retain the required gas safety records. ## Practical steps - Identify appliances and flues covered by your landlord duties. - Use a Gas Safe registered engineer qualified for the relevant work. - Arrange access, keep records and provide them to tenants as required. ## Common mistake A service and a landlord gas safety check are different tasks. The annual landlord-check rule should not be applied indiscriminately to every commercial building. ## Timing The landlord safety check is annual, subject to the permitted timing rules. Follow appropriate maintenance requirements as well. ## Questions for a provider - Are you registered for this appliance and fuel type? - Does the price include the safety check, servicing or both? - How will defects be recorded and addressed? ## Official sources - [HSE: landlords and gas safety](https://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/faqlandlord.htm) General information, not an assessment or a statement that a business is compliant. ## Keep the booking, visit and record as separate milestones ### Before you commission work Give the engineer the property details, appliance information and previous records available to you. Agree access with the occupant and clarify whether the instruction covers the safety check, servicing or both. Confirm who receives the completed record and who deals with recommendations or access problems. ### Follow through on the result Check that the visit produced the agreed record and note any appliance or area not covered. Follow up findings and incomplete work with the competent engineer. Keep access correspondence with the job history so a later manager can distinguish a completed check from an attempted visit. A booking confirmation should never be filed as the result. ## Buying the right work - List the appliances and flues within your responsibility. - Check the engineer is registered and qualified for the appliance and fuel. - Agree whether the price covers a safety check, a service, repairs or a combination. ## What you can do yourself Arrange access, locate previous records and check the agreed scope. These organisational tasks do not make you competent to carry out gas work. ## When to get help Use a suitably qualified Gas Safe registered engineer. Treat access difficulties as something to manage and document; do not assume an unanswered visit completes the duty. ## Records to keep - Appliances and flues covered by the arrangements. - Safety-check records and relevant maintenance information. - Access attempts and correspondence where visits cannot be completed. ## Is a service the same as a gas safety check? No. Confirm the scope of each task and which records will be provided. Source check for this expanded guide: 2026-11-03. Specialist sign-off pending. --- # Do home workers need a DSE assessment? The working arrangement matters more than whether the desk is in an office. Jurisdiction: England, Wales, Scotland Source check: 2026-11-03. Editorial status: source-checked draft; specialist sign-off pending. ## Who this covers Workers using display screen equipment daily for continuous periods of an hour or more, including relevant home workers. ## The requirement Assess DSE workstations, reduce identified risks and provide the required information, training and arrangements for breaks or changes of activity and eye tests. ## Practical steps - Identify DSE users, including hybrid and home workers. - Assess the whole workstation and how it is used. - Address identified issues and review when working arrangements change. ## Common mistake Providing an online questionnaire alone does not resolve the problems it identifies. ## Timing Assess relevant workstations and review following changes, discomfort or evidence that controls are not effective. ## Questions for a provider - Who follows up problems identified by the assessment? - Does this cover home and hybrid setups? - How will staff request further help? ## Official sources - [HSE: working safely with DSE](https://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/dse/) General information, not an assessment or a statement that a business is compliant. ## Make the assessment lead to a workable setup ### Before you commission work Ask staff about the workstations they actually use, including home and shared desks. Explain how they can report problems and who will review the information. If buying software or an assessment service, ask what happens to flagged answers and whether individual follow-up is included. ### Follow through on the result Track agreed changes and ask whether they have helped. Keep unresolved issues assigned to someone rather than closing the assessment when a form is submitted. When comparing providers, distinguish the cost of collecting responses from the cost of understanding problems, advising on changes and checking the outcome. ## Buying the right work - Identify the users and the workstations they actually use. - Collect concerns about discomfort, equipment and work routines. - Ask how assessments lead to changes and support, rather than just completed forms. ## What you can do yourself A suitable self-assessment process can help gather information. Someone must review the answers and act on problems; handing out a form is not the end of the process. ## When to get help Get appropriate help when problems cannot be resolved through your assessment process or equipment changes. Do not treat an online form as a medical diagnosis. ## Records to keep - Which workstations and users were assessed. - Issues raised, actions and follow-up. - Relevant training and arrangements for eye-test requests. ## Does DSE only mean desktop computers? No. HSE includes laptops, tablets and smartphones. The work pattern matters when deciding who is a DSE user. ## Do home workers count? Yes. The duties apply to DSE users working at home as well as in the office. Source check for this expanded guide: 2026-11-03. Specialist sign-off pending. --- # Is a safety data sheet the same as a COSHH assessment? Assess how substances are actually used, including dusts and fumes created by the work. Jurisdiction: England, Wales, Scotland Source check: 2026-11-03. Editorial status: source-checked draft; specialist sign-off pending. ## Who this covers Work involving substances hazardous to health, from cleaning chemicals to dust, fumes and biological agents. ## The requirement Assess and control exposure to substances hazardous to health. A supplier’s safety data sheet provides information for the assessment; it is not the assessment itself. ## Practical steps - Identify substances used or generated by your work. - Assess the actual exposure and who could be affected. - Put effective controls in place and check they work. ## Common mistake A folder of safety data sheets is not a set of workplace-specific COSHH assessments. ## Timing Review when substances, processes, exposure or information about the risk changes. ## Questions for a provider - Does this assess our actual tasks and exposure? - Can we eliminate or substitute the hazard? - How will controls be checked and maintained? ## Official sources - [HSE: safety data sheets](https://www.hse.gov.uk/chemical-classification/labelling-packaging/safety-data-sheets.htm) - [HSE: COSHH FAQs](https://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/faq.htm) General information, not an assessment or a statement that a business is compliant. ## Describe exposure during the task, not just the product name ### Before you commission work Collect product information alongside a description of how work is performed, including cleaning, maintenance and process-generated dust or fumes. Ask workers about unusual conditions and where the existing arrangements are difficult to follow. Tell a prospective adviser what controls are already in place. ### Follow through on the result Ask the competent adviser to connect recommendations to the relevant task and explain how the controls will be checked. Separate any specialist measurement, equipment work or training from the assessment fee. Make sure the people doing the job receive usable instructions and know who to contact when conditions change. ## Related buying guides - [Health and safety consultant costs: project or retainer?](https://whatcompliance.com/buying-guides/health-and-safety-consultant-costs) ## Buying the right work - List tasks and substances, and collect relevant safety data sheets. - Consider how exposure happens, who is affected and how often. - Ask how proposed controls address the actual task and how their effectiveness will be checked. ## What you can do yourself You can gather product and process information and involve staff. A safety data sheet informs the assessment; it is not a finished assessment of your workplace. ## When to get help Use competent advice where you cannot establish or control the exposure adequately. Monitoring, ventilation and health-surveillance questions may need more specific expertise. ## Records to keep - The tasks, substances and routes of exposure assessed. - The controls chosen and responsibilities for using and maintaining them. - Further evidence or checks identified as necessary by the assessment. ## Is a safety data sheet a COSHH assessment? No. It provides information about a product. The assessment considers how it is actually used and how people may be exposed. ## Do dust and fumes count? They can. HSE specifically highlights harmful substances produced by processes, including wood dust, silica dust and welding fumes. Source check for this expanded guide: 2026-11-03. Specialist sign-off pending. --- # What checks does work equipment need? Choose equipment suitable for the job and maintain its safety throughout its working life. Jurisdiction: England, Wales, Scotland Source check: 2026-11-03. Editorial status: source-checked draft; specialist sign-off pending. ## Who this covers Businesses owning, controlling or using work equipment, including hired equipment. ## The requirement Provide suitable, safe equipment, appropriate maintenance and inspection, safeguards and adequate information, instruction and training. ## Practical steps - Assess equipment against the job and conditions of use. - Identify inspection and maintenance needs from risk and manufacturer information. - Make sure users are trained and safeguards remain effective. ## Common mistake A maintenance visit is not automatically the inspection or thorough examination a particular item needs. Lifting equipment can have additional requirements. ## Timing Risk-based inspection intervals and relevant installation or exceptional-event checks; not one annual rule for all equipment. ## Questions for a provider - What does the inspection cover and exclude? - Is a separate thorough examination required? - What evidence will we receive? ## Official sources - [HSE: PUWER overview](https://www.hse.gov.uk/work-equipment-machinery/puwer-overview.htm) - [HSE: inspection of work equipment](https://www.hse.gov.uk/work-equipment-machinery/inspection.htm) General information, not an assessment or a statement that a business is compliant. ## Buy support for the actual machine and its use ### Before you commission work Identify equipment, intended tasks, instructions and known modifications before requesting inspection or advice. Include second-hand and hired items where relevant. Tell the provider about cleaning, adjustment and maintenance activities so the brief is not limited to the machine’s normal production cycle. ### Follow through on the result Match findings to individual equipment and record who will arrange and verify any work. Ask what the report leaves outside its scope, including any separate specialist examination. Do not treat a service invoice as interchangeable with every inspection or examination record simply because each relates to the same machine. ## Buying the right work - Identify the machine or equipment and its actual use. - Provide instructions, maintenance information and any modifications. - Ask what inspection is appropriate and whether other specific requirements apply. ## What you can do yourself Keep an equipment inventory, arrange maintenance and make sure users can report defects. Simple checks still need appropriate knowledge and instructions. ## When to get help Use relevant competence for technical inspection, repairs, guarding or modifications. Some equipment also has duties under other regimes, such as lifting or pressure systems. ## Records to keep - Equipment identity and intended use. - Inspection and maintenance information relevant to its risks. - Training, defects and action on faults. ## Does PUWER only concern large machinery? No. Work equipment is a broad category that includes tools and other equipment used at work. Source check for this expanded guide: 2026-11-03. Specialist sign-off pending. --- # Does this workplace accident need reporting? Record what happened, then check the specific reporting category and deadline. Jurisdiction: England, Wales, Scotland Source check: 2026-11-03. Editorial status: source-checked draft; specialist sign-off pending. ## Who this covers Responsible persons, generally employers, relevant self-employed people and those in control of premises. ## The requirement Report work-related incidents that meet the RIDDOR criteria. Not every accident is reportable; the incident type and circumstances determine the requirement. ## Practical steps - Deal with immediate safety and medical needs first. - Establish the facts and check the relevant HSE reporting category. - Follow the correct reporting route and deadline and retain appropriate records. ## Common mistake An entry in an accident book is not a RIDDOR report. Do not decide reportability from the injury description alone. ## Timing Event-triggered. Deadlines differ by category; consult the official guidance promptly. ## Questions for a provider - Who is the responsible person for this report? - Which reporting category applies? - What changes will prevent a recurrence? ## Official sources - [HSE: types of reportable incidents](https://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/types-of-reportable-incidents.htm) General information, not an assessment or a statement that a business is compliant. ## Prepare an escalation route before an incident occurs ### Before you commission work Identify who gathers incident information, who makes the reporting decision and who covers their absence. Keep a route to the current official guidance readily available. If buying advisory support, check its response availability and whether incident classification is within the agreed scope. ### Follow through on the result Keep a factual chronology, the decision made and any report reference together. Distinguish internal investigation from any external reporting requirement. Review what the event reveals about your controls, and track the resulting actions separately from the administrative task of submitting a report. Do not wait for a routine adviser appointment when a reporting deadline may apply. ## Buying the right work - Record the facts and preserve relevant information. - Check the category and deadline in HSE’s guidance. - Agree who in the organisation makes and follows up the report. ## What you can do yourself Put a clear internal reporting and escalation process in place. Keep an accurate account of what happened; do not turn uncertainty into a definitive classification. ## When to get help Seek competent advice promptly if you are unsure whether an incident is reportable. Do not let the process of buying advice delay urgent action or a reporting deadline. ## Records to keep - The event, date, people involved and factual information. - The basis for the reporting decision. - Any report reference and resulting preventive action. ## Is every workplace injury reportable? No. HSE identifies specific categories. Work-relatedness and the type of injury or event matter. Source check for this expanded guide: 2026-11-03. Specialist sign-off pending. --- # Does my business need an EICR? Look beyond portable appliances to the condition of the wiring and fixed installation. Jurisdiction: England, Wales, Scotland Source check: 2026-11-03. Editorial status: source-checked draft; specialist sign-off pending. ## Who this covers People responsible for the safety of electrical installations at work. Rented homes can have separate statutory inspection requirements. ## The requirement Maintain the electrical installation so it remains safe. Competent inspection and testing help establish its condition and identify defects. ## Practical steps - Identify who is responsible for the fixed installation. - Find the latest installation records and inspection reports. - Ask a competent electrical contractor to advise on inspection scope and timing. ## Common mistake Do not apply a residential rental inspection interval to every commercial premises. PAT testing does not inspect the whole fixed installation. ## Timing Set inspection and maintenance arrangements for the installation and its risks. Check any specific premises rules and previous inspection recommendations. ## Questions for a provider - Which areas and circuits will be inspected? - What limitations will appear in the report? - How will urgent defects be explained and made safe? ## Official sources - [HSE: electrical safety FAQs](https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/faq.htm) General information, not an assessment or a statement that a business is compliant. ## Organise the inspection around access and operations ### Before you commission work Provide available installation records and previous findings. Identify who controls shared electrical areas and which operations could be affected by a shutdown. Agree how the electrician will obtain access and who on site can authorise operational arrangements. Make unresolved scope questions visible before the visit. ### Follow through on the result Ask the inspector to explain findings and limitations in terms the responsible manager can act on. Keep remedial proposals linked to the original observations so quotes can be compared. Record the evidence supplied after repairs, and ask the competent provider whether further inspection or testing is needed to close the finding. ## Related buying guides - [Commercial EICR quotes: scope, costs and remedial work](https://whatcompliance.com/buying-guides/commercial-eicr-costs-and-quotes) ## Buying the right work - Find the previous report, circuit information and unresolved observations. - Agree which areas and circuits are included and any access or shutdown restrictions. - Separate the inspection price from the cost of remedial work and explain who authorises repairs. ## What you can do yourself You can locate records, identify the party responsible and prepare access. Do not treat that administrative work as competence to inspect an installation or undertake electrical repairs. ## When to get help Use a competent electrical professional for inspection, testing and technical interpretation. Ask them to explain any limitations and findings in terms you can act on. ## Records to keep - Installation information and the inspection report. - The inspection scope and any agreed limitations. - A record of action on observations and the reasoning for the next review. ## Does PAT testing replace an EICR? No. The fixed installation and portable equipment are different parts of electrical safety. Ask what each service actually covers. ## Is every business required to have an EICR every five years? Do not apply a residential letting rule as a universal commercial requirement. The installation, use, risks, relevant premises rules and previous findings affect the arrangements. Source check for this expanded guide: 2026-11-03. Specialist sign-off pending. --- # What fire safety equipment does my business need? Start with the fire risk assessment, then specify equipment suited to the building and its use. Jurisdiction: England, Wales Source check: 2026-11-03. Editorial status: source-checked draft; specialist sign-off pending. ## Who this covers Those responsible for fire safety in non-domestic premises covered by the Fire Safety Order. ## The requirement Provide appropriate fire detection, warning and firefighting arrangements. Equipment needs suitable installation, checking and maintenance. ## Practical steps - Check what the fire risk assessment says your building needs. - Establish who checks and maintains the equipment. - Record faults and make sure they are dealt with. ## Common mistake A standard equipment package may not suit your premises. Ask how each recommendation relates to the assessment and the risks. ## Timing Regular checks and appropriate maintenance. Establish the schedule for your equipment and premises with competent advice. ## Questions for a provider - Which assessment findings support this specification? - What checks can our staff perform? - What does the maintenance agreement include? ## Official sources - [GOV.UK: fire equipment, drills and training](https://www.gov.uk/workplace-fire-safety-your-responsibilities/fire-safety-equipment-drills-and-training) General information, not an assessment or a statement that a business is compliant. ## Know what the maintenance agreement actually covers ### Before you commission work Prepare a list of the systems and premises covered, with existing service records and known faults. Ask the provider to identify routine visits, emergency attendance and chargeable parts separately. Agree the site contact and arrangements for notifying anyone affected by the work. ### Follow through on the result Read the service findings rather than recording only the attendance date. Keep faults awaiting parts or further approval visible to the responsible manager. If changing provider, obtain the equipment history and outstanding-work list so the new contractor can distinguish a recurring problem from a newly reported one. ## Related buying guides - [Fire alarm maintenance contracts: compare coverage and call-outs](https://whatcompliance.com/buying-guides/fire-alarm-maintenance-contracts) ## Buying the right work - Start with the fire risk assessment and any outstanding findings. - List the equipment, locations and records already in place. - Clarify what routine checks, maintenance, call-outs and repairs the agreement includes. ## What you can do yourself Arrange the routine checks your premises need and ensure faults are reported. Staff carrying out checks need appropriate instruction; this does not replace specialist maintenance. ## When to get help Use competent help to specify, install and maintain systems. Ask how proposed equipment relates to the fire risks and escape arrangements. ## Records to keep - System and equipment information. - Checks, maintenance, faults and repairs. - Training and the arrangements for reporting problems. ## Does buying extinguishers complete fire safety? No. Fire precautions, evacuation, maintenance and staff arrangements need to work together. Source check for this expanded guide: 2026-11-03. Specialist sign-off pending. --- # How do I plan for a safe evacuation? Think about everyone who could be in the building, including people who need assistance. Jurisdiction: England, Wales Source check: 2026-11-03. Editorial status: source-checked draft; specialist sign-off pending. ## Who this covers Those responsible for emergency arrangements in non-domestic premises. ## The requirement Plan usable escape routes, sufficient exits, clear signs and emergency lighting where needed. Train staff and make arrangements for people with mobility needs. ## Practical steps - Check routes and exits are usable and kept clear. - Plan how everyone will leave safely, including anyone needing help. - Check signs, lighting, training and assembly arrangements. ## Common mistake An evacuation plan that only works for able-bodied staff does not address everyone who may use the building. ## Timing Check arrangements regularly and review when occupancy, layout or assistance needs change. ## Questions for a provider - Can people use the routes if normal lighting fails? - How have assistance needs been considered? - How will the plan be practised? ## Official sources - [GOV.UK: fire safety and evacuation plans](https://www.gov.uk/workplace-fire-safety-your-responsibilities/fire-safety-and-evacuation-plans) General information, not an assessment or a statement that a business is compliant. ## Plan around the people using the premises ### Before you commission work Explain different occupancy patterns, visitors and assistance needs to anyone advising on the plan. Identify shared routes and responsibilities. If commissioning lighting work, give the provider the relevant assessment and existing information rather than asking for a generic package based only on room count. ### Follow through on the result Ask how changes will be communicated to staff and other affected people. Keep lessons from practice and changes in building use connected to the plan. Where a route, system or assistance arrangement raises an unresolved question, assign it for competent review instead of assuming a new document has settled it. ## Related buying guides - [Fire alarm maintenance contracts: compare coverage and call-outs](https://whatcompliance.com/buying-guides/fire-alarm-maintenance-contracts) ## Buying the right work - Explain who uses the building and when. - Identify shared escape routes and people who may need assistance. - Ask how the proposed plan or lighting work fits the fire risk assessment. ## What you can do yourself Keep escape routes clear, make arrangements known and organise the checks and practice appropriate to your premises. ## When to get help Use competent advice for design questions or circumstances your team cannot assess. Do not rely on an evacuation plan that ignores people needing assistance. ## Records to keep - The emergency plan and responsibilities. - Relevant practice, staff information and assistance arrangements. - Checks, maintenance and action on faults. ## Is an evacuation plan only for employees? No. Consider the people who may use the premises, including visitors and those who need assistance. Source check for this expanded guide: 2026-11-03. Specialist sign-off pending. --- # What counts as working at height? The key is the risk of injury from a fall, not a universal minimum height. Jurisdiction: England, Wales, Scotland Source check: 2026-11-03. Editorial status: source-checked draft; specialist sign-off pending. ## Who this covers Work where a person could fall a distance liable to cause injury if precautions were not in place. ## The requirement Plan, supervise and carry out work at height using competent people and suitable equipment. Avoid the work at height where reasonably practicable, then prevent falls or minimise their consequences. ## Practical steps - Consider whether the task can be done from the ground. - Choose precautions for the task, surface and conditions. - Use suitable equipment with competent people and appropriate supervision. ## Common mistake A short task or a low height does not automatically remove the need to assess the risk. ## Timing Plan before the task and reassess when conditions change. ## Questions for a provider - Can this task be done without work at height? - How will collective protection be used? - What is the rescue arrangement if something goes wrong? ## Official sources - [HSE: working at height safely](https://www.hse.gov.uk/work-at-height/introduction.htm) General information, not an assessment or a statement that a business is compliant. ## Compare the proposed method as well as the day rate ### Before you commission work Describe the location, access, task and constraints before inviting quotes. Ask whether the task can be done without work at height and how the provider has planned the work. A low price that assumes you supply access equipment is different from one that includes a complete, suitable arrangement. ### Follow through on the result Clarify who provides equipment, manages the work area and coordinates with other occupants. Ask how changes in conditions will be handled. If the agreed method becomes impracticable, refer it back to the competent planner rather than accepting an improvised substitute to keep the job on schedule. ## Buying the right work - Explain the task, height, duration and access. - Ask whether it can be completed from the ground. - Check the proposed equipment, supervision and emergency arrangements. ## What you can do yourself Plan the work and check whether safer access or avoiding the task at height is possible. Only use equipment and methods you are competent to use. ## When to get help Get appropriate competence for difficult access, fragile surfaces and tasks your staff cannot safely plan or carry out. ## Records to keep - The task and assessment of the fall risk. - The selected access method and precautions. - Equipment checks, competence and emergency arrangements. ## Is work below two metres automatically exempt? No. The definition concerns a fall that could cause injury, not a blanket two-metre threshold. Source check for this expanded guide: 2026-11-03. Specialist sign-off pending. --- # Is there a legal maximum lifting weight? Weight is one part of a handling risk. The task, person and working conditions matter too. Jurisdiction: England, Wales, Scotland Source check: 2026-11-03. Editorial status: source-checked draft; specialist sign-off pending. ## Who this covers Employers whose workers lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move loads, including people or animals. ## The requirement Avoid hazardous manual handling where reasonably practicable. Assess unavoidable hazardous handling and reduce the risk of injury. ## Practical steps - Look for ways to avoid the handling task. - Assess unavoidable tasks, including the load and environment. - Change the work or use suitable aids to reduce risk. ## Common mistake The law does not set one maximum lifting weight. A handling course alone does not make a poorly designed task safe. ## Timing Review when tasks, loads, people or working conditions change. ## Questions for a provider - Can the task be redesigned or mechanised? - What makes this particular movement risky? - How will we know the changes reduce the risk? ## Official sources - [HSE: manual handling at work](https://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/manual-handling/index.htm) General information, not an assessment or a statement that a business is compliant. ## Ask for improvements to the task as well as training ### Before you commission work Describe the route, repetition, space and handling involved, not simply the heaviest item. Invite the people doing the task to explain where it becomes difficult. If requesting support, distinguish assessment, changes to equipment or layout and training as separate deliverables. ### Follow through on the result Try agreed changes with the people affected and review whether they solve the practical problem. Record any new difficulty created elsewhere in the process. A completed course register is evidence of attendance; it does not tell you whether the delivery route, storage height or other conditions have improved. ## Buying the right work - Describe the complete task, not only the load’s weight. - Consider frequency, reach, twisting, space and the people doing it. - Ask how proposed training fits changes to the task or equipment. ## What you can do yourself Talk to the people doing the work, identify unnecessary handling and consider how the job can be arranged more safely. ## When to get help Use competent assistance for difficult tasks or when you cannot adequately assess and reduce risk. Training alone may not solve a poorly designed task. ## Records to keep - The tasks assessed and who may be affected. - Changes to the job, equipment or arrangements. - Training and follow-up of problems reported by staff. ## Does a lifting course remove the need to assess the task? No. Consider the task and how to avoid or reduce the hazardous handling, as well as relevant information and training. Source check for this expanded guide: 2026-11-03. Specialist sign-off pending. --- # Where should a Scottish business start with fire safety? Use the Scottish framework and the guidance for your type of premises. Jurisdiction: Scotland Source check: 2026-11-03. Editorial status: source-checked draft; specialist sign-off pending. ## Who this covers Those with fire-safety responsibilities for relevant non-domestic premises in Scotland. The framework differs from England and Wales. ## The requirement Identify responsibilities under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006. Assess fire risks and put suitable measures and evacuation arrangements in place. ## Practical steps - Identify the people with responsibility for the premises. - Use the Scottish guidance for the building’s use, including any sleeping accommodation. - Assess risks, implement measures and plan evacuation for everyone who may need to leave. ## Common mistake The England and Wales Fire Safety Order is not the Scottish legal framework. A guide for ordinary non-residential premises may not cover sleeping accommodation. ## Timing Keep the assessment and precautions appropriate to the premises and review following relevant changes. ## Questions for a provider - Which Scottish premises guidance applies here? - How are sleeping occupants or people needing assistance considered? - Who will implement and monitor the actions? ## Official sources - [Scottish Government: non-domestic fire safety](https://www.gov.scot/policies/fire-and-rescue/non-domestic-fire-safety/) General information, not an assessment or a statement that a business is compliant. ## Make the Scottish premises context explicit in the brief ### Before you commission work State the premises address, use and occupancy when requesting an assessment. Ask which Scottish guidance is relevant and whether the provider has experience with that type of premises. Supply previous actions and explain shared responsibilities so the proposal covers the actual management arrangements. ### Follow through on the result Check that the report identifies the right site and local framework. Ask for a handover of findings, limitations and priorities, with any specialist follow-up clearly identified. For a business operating across the UK, keep each site’s jurisdiction visible rather than combining every assessment under one generic legal heading. ## Related buying guides - [Fire risk assessment costs: what should a quote include?](https://whatcompliance.com/buying-guides/fire-risk-assessment-costs-and-quotes) ## Buying the right work - Identify the use of the building, including sleeping accommodation. - Ask which Scottish premises guide the assessor will use. - Clarify responsibility for shared spaces and action on findings. ## What you can do yourself Collect premises information and existing records, check responsibilities and use the Scottish Government guidance to understand the task. ## When to get help Use someone competent for the premises and familiar with Scottish requirements, particularly where risks or evacuation arrangements are complex. ## Records to keep - The assessment and premises information. - Actions, responsibilities and evidence of follow-up. - Relevant fire precautions, checks and staff arrangements. ## Can I use an England and Wales guide unchanged? No. Scottish duties and premises guidance must be considered. Similar terminology does not make the legal frameworks identical. Source check for this expanded guide: 2026-11-03. Specialist sign-off pending. --- # Where should an NI business start with fire safety? Use Northern Ireland’s legislation and the guidance published by NIFRS. Jurisdiction: Northern Ireland Source check: 2026-11-03. Editorial status: source-checked draft; specialist sign-off pending. ## Who this covers Businesses with responsibilities for relevant premises in Northern Ireland. NIFRS explains the scope and exclusions. ## The requirement Identify fire risks and hazards and take appropriate action under the Northern Ireland framework. Provide adequate fire-safety training and maintain suitable premises precautions. ## Practical steps - Check who has responsibility for the premises and the applicable NIFRS guidance. - Assess fire risks and act on the findings. - Provide appropriate staff training, including induction and updates when risks change. ## Common mistake Do not assume the England and Wales Fire Safety Order applies in Northern Ireland. Use the local framework and premises guidance. ## Timing Keep the assessment and precautions appropriate to the premises, its occupants and any relevant changes. ## Questions for a provider - Which NIFRS premises guidance informs the assessment? - Does the assessor understand our building and its use? - How will actions and training be followed up? ## Official sources - [NIFRS: business fire safety](https://www.nifrs.org/home/staying-safe/business-fire-safety/) - [NIFRS: fire risk assessments](https://www.nifrs.org/home/staying-safe/business-fire-safety/fire-risk-assessments/) General information, not an assessment or a statement that a business is compliant. ## Commission for the Northern Ireland premises ### Before you commission work Use the premises details to identify the relevant NIFRS guidance with your adviser. Explain occupancy, shared spaces and any changes since the previous assessment. Ask the proposed assessor about experience with comparable buildings under the Northern Ireland framework. ### Follow through on the result Keep the assessment, action list and maintenance information connected. Where a supplier also works in Great Britain, check that the actual report and recommendations address the Northern Ireland site. Ask them to correct unexplained template references and clarify any uncertainty about scope before you rely on the document. ## Related buying guides - [Fire risk assessment costs: what should a quote include?](https://whatcompliance.com/buying-guides/fire-risk-assessment-costs-and-quotes) ## Buying the right work - Find the NIFRS guide matching the premises. - Ask about competence with your building’s use and occupants. - Agree how the assessment, findings and priorities will be explained. ## What you can do yourself Gather records, confirm responsibilities and arrange staff information and training appropriate to the premises. ## When to get help Use a suitably competent person for the assessment. Check NIFRS guidance where recording requirements or the scope of duties are unclear. ## Records to keep - Assessment findings and actions. - The reason for decisions and the correct jurisdiction. - Relevant training and maintenance records. ## Are Northern Ireland’s fire laws the same as England’s? No. NIFRS identifies the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 as the main framework. Source check for this expanded guide: 2026-11-03. Specialist sign-off pending. --- # Where does an NI business start with workplace safety? Start with the risks of the work and use HSENI’s local guidance. Jurisdiction: Northern Ireland Source check: 2026-11-03. Editorial status: source-checked draft; specialist sign-off pending. ## Who this covers Employers and relevant self-employed businesses operating in Northern Ireland. ## The requirement Assess what could harm people through your business and take suitable precautions. HSENI states that employers with five or more employees must record their risk assessment results. ## Practical steps - Identify hazards in your work and who could be harmed. - Assess the risks and put suitable precautions in place. - Record the findings where required and keep the assessment useful as work changes. ## Common mistake Fewer than five employees does not mean there is no need to assess risk. GB legislation references must not simply be substituted for Northern Ireland’s framework. ## Timing Review when work or conditions change and when there is reason to doubt whether the assessment remains adequate. ## Questions for a provider - Which Northern Ireland duties apply to this activity? - Does the assessment reflect how we actually work? - What actions are needed and who will check them? ## Official sources - [HSENI: risk assessment](https://www.hseni.gov.uk/articles/risk-assessment) - [HSENI: health and safety made simple](https://www.hseni.gov.uk/health-and-safety-made-simple) General information, not an assessment or a statement that a business is compliant. ## Give the adviser a task-based brief for the NI workplace ### Before you commission work Describe what people do, the equipment and substances involved, and the issues staff have raised. Ask a prospective consultant to identify the Northern Ireland basis for the advice and any work needing specialist input. Agree whether the service includes a site visit, staff consultation and action planning. ### Follow through on the result Review the proposed actions with the people responsible for carrying them out. Ask for vague recommendations to be made specific enough to implement and check. Keep a record of unresolved questions and escalation, especially when a business-wide policy needs adapting to different sites and local requirements. ## Related buying guides - [Health and safety consultant costs: project or retainer?](https://whatcompliance.com/buying-guides/health-and-safety-consultant-costs) ## Buying the right work - Explain what happens in the workplace, including non-routine work. - Identify the people who may be affected. - Ask for practical controls and actions under the correct local framework. ## What you can do yourself Use HSENI’s steps to identify hazards and consider straightforward risks. Keep the focus on making work safer, rather than acquiring a generic folder. ## When to get help Get competent advice where the activity is complex or you cannot adequately assess or control the risk. ## Records to keep - Significant findings where required. - Controls, actions and who is responsible. - Reviews following changes or concerns. ## Can a GB legislative reference settle an NI duty? Do not assume it can. Use Northern Ireland legislation and HSENI guidance for the relevant activity. Source check for this expanded guide: 2026-11-03. Specialist sign-off pending. --- # Where should an NI business start with electrical safety? Identify the electrical risks of your work and use competent help for technical decisions. Jurisdiction: Northern Ireland Source check: 2026-11-03. Editorial status: source-checked draft; specialist sign-off pending. ## Who this covers Businesses in Northern Ireland whose activities involve electrical equipment, installations or work near electricity. ## The requirement Take suitable precautions to reduce electrical injury risks. Establish the local requirements for your work using HSENI guidance and competent advice. ## Practical steps - Identify equipment, installations and work that could create electrical risks. - Establish who is responsible for controlling those risks. - Use HSENI guidance and competent electrical advice to decide what inspection and maintenance is needed. ## Common mistake Do not treat a GB legal reference or a supplier’s standard testing package as a complete explanation of your Northern Ireland duties. ## Timing Ask for a suitable inspection and maintenance regime for the equipment, its use and the applicable local requirements. ## Questions for a provider - Which local requirements apply to this work? - What risks does the proposed inspection address? - What checks and maintenance remain our responsibility? ## Official sources - [HSENI: electrical safety](https://www.hseni.gov.uk/topics/electrical-safety) General information, not an assessment or a statement that a business is compliant. ## Separate the local requirement from the supplier’s package ### Before you commission work Give the electrical contractor existing records and explain whether you need help with equipment, the fixed installation or both. State that the premises are in Northern Ireland and ask how the proposed scope addresses the local requirements. Clarify access and operational restrictions before agreeing a date. ### Follow through on the result Ask the competent contractor to explain the findings, exclusions and next steps. Keep repair quotations tied to the identified defects and retain completion evidence. Where a standard renewal is offered, ask for the reasoning for this installation or equipment rather than treating the supplier’s default interval as the whole answer. ## Related buying guides - [Commercial EICR quotes: scope, costs and remedial work](https://whatcompliance.com/buying-guides/commercial-eicr-costs-and-quotes) ## Buying the right work - Distinguish the fixed installation from portable equipment. - Find the previous reports and any unresolved defects. - Ask which local requirements and risks the proposed work addresses. ## What you can do yourself Collect records, identify responsibilities and provide a way for staff to report damage or concerns. Do not carry out technical inspection or repairs beyond your competence. ## When to get help Use competent electrical advice to agree inspection, testing and maintenance suited to the work and equipment. ## Records to keep - Equipment and installation information. - Inspection findings, limitations and remedial action. - The reasons for the maintenance and review arrangements. ## Does a generic testing package settle our responsibilities? No. Confirm the local requirements and the scope of the equipment or installation before deciding what is needed. Source check for this expanded guide: 2026-11-03. Specialist sign-off pending.