UK Health & Safety Compliance in 2025: The Practical Checklist for Employers

UK Health & Safety rules have evolved over the last few years, with new duties for building safety, updated fire safety rules, the replacement of OHSAS 18001 by ISO 45001, and extensions to PPE obligations. If you’re leading operations, facilities or projects, staying current is essential—not just to avoid enforcement and reputational risk, but to improve productivity and culture. This practical checklist distils what employers should be doing in 2025.

1) Anchor Your System to ISO 45001 (Not OHSAS 18001)

OHSAS 18001 has been withdrawn. Building your H&S management system around ISO 45001 embeds leadership, worker involvement, risk‑based thinking, and continual improvement. HSE recognises ISO 45001 as a helpful framework for demonstrating legal compliance (though certification isn’t mandatory).

Action: Run a gap analysis against ISO 45001 clauses, integrate with existing ISO 9001/14001 where relevant, and schedule management reviews and internal audits.

2) Get the Basics Right Under MHSWR 1999

The Management Regulations require “suitable and sufficient” risk assessments, competent assistance, emergency procedures, training and coordination—across your premises, field activities and projects. Ensure special groups (young people, expectant mothers, lone workers) are addressed.

Action: Maintain a risk register and action log, appoint/engage a competent person, and brief managers on their responsibilities.

3) Address Fire Safety Changes (FSO + FSER 2022)

If you are the Responsible Person for multi‑occupied residential buildings in England, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 require resident information, fire door checks, and—for high‑rise—plans, wayfinding, lift/equipment checks, and a secure information box. Even in non‑residential settings, reviewing your fire risk assessment and controls remains critical.

Action: Validate your fire strategy and maintenance regimes; for applicable residential stock, implement FSER 2022 schedules and keep evidence packs ready for the Fire & Rescue Service.

4) Understand What the Building Safety Act 2022 Means For You

The Building Safety Act 2022 established the Building Safety Regulator and a competence‑led regime—especially for higher‑risk buildings—but it also raises expectations across the built environment. Clients, dutyholders and building control professionals must understand their roles, competence and information duties.

Action: If you’re developing or operating buildings, map your assets against the Act’s definitions and guidance; assure competence, information management and resident engagement where required.

5) If You Build, You’re Under CDM 2015

For any construction or refurbishment, CDM 2015 applies—from minor works to multi‑million pound projects. Clients must appoint a Principal Designer (pre‑construction) and Principal Contractor (construction phase), ensure adequate resources, and keep suitable information flowing.

Action: Establish CDM roles early, compile Pre‑Construction Information, and maintain a Construction Phase Plan and Health & Safety File as required.

6) Manage Equipment and Substances: PUWER & COSHH

Under PUWER 1998, ensure work equipment is suitable, maintained, inspected, guarded and used by trained, authorised staff. COSHH 2002 requires you to assess and prevent or control exposure to hazardous substances, provide training and, where necessary, health surveillance.

Action: Keep PUWER inspection logs and competency records; build a COSHH register, implement the hierarchy of control, and schedule LEV examinations where needed.

7) Make DSE Work for Hybrid Teams

The DSE Regulations apply to users who work with screens daily for hour‑long stretches—across offices, home and hot‑desks. Employers must assess workstations, organise breaks, offer eye tests on request, and provide training.

Action: Deploy a cloud DSE tool, give practical ergonomic guidance, and track close‑out of corrective actions (chairs, screen height, glare, peripherals).

8) Update PPE Duties for Limb (b) Workers

Since 6 April 2022, PPE duties extend to “limb (b)” workers—those engaged personally to perform work but without a contract of employment. Employers must provide suitable PPE free of charge, with training and maintenance, just as for employees.

Action: Update your PPE policy, include casual/atypical workers in issue/records, and brief supervisors on the change.

9) Report What You Must Under RIDDOR 2013

Report specified injuries, over‑7‑day incapacitation, defined dangerous occurrences, occupational diseases, and relevant fatalities to HSE under RIDDOR. Keep accurate records to support investigations and demonstrate learning.

Action: Train managers on what to report and when; keep a simple RIDDOR decision tree and contacts in the incident procedure.

10) Prove It: Assurance, Metrics and Culture

Regulators focus on what happens in practice. Use leading indicators (training completion, inspection close‑out) and lagging indicators (incident rates) in management reviews (ISO 45001). Empower workers to speak up and fix issues quickly.

How Iconic Group Services Can Help

We deliver a turn‑key compliance programme: gap analysis, risk assessments, fire safety readiness (FSER 2022), CDM advisory, COSHH/PUWER/DSE management, ISO 45001‑aligned systems, training, and RIDDOR support—scaled for SMEs through to multi‑site portfolios.

Ready to simplify compliance and improve safety performance? Talk to Iconic Group Services for a practical plan and quick wins you can implement this quarter.