Understand health & safety
Are you confident in your health and safety practices? Understand your responsibilities and how to run a safe business.

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Managing health and safety effectively is important not only for the safety of you and your guests, but also to reduce your liability in event of an accident. This subject is a legal requirement for all types of accommodation providers, even if you do not employ any staff.
There is plenty of guidance available to help you comply, including our Fire Risk Assessment tool and practical Health & Safety Executive resources.
Fire Safety
It is the law for all businesses to carry out a Fire Risk Assessment of their premises, regardless of size or number of employees. This applies even if you run a bed & breakfast in your home. If you’re a self-catering provider, then specific legislation relating to furnishings may also apply to you.
Updated: Fire safety guide for small accommodation
This Government guide provides practical advice on reducing fire risks, FAQs and a Fire Risk Assessment checklist.
Fire safety (general)
How the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to tourism businesses.
Fire safety of furniture and furnishings
What legislation applies in relation to the fire safety of furniture.
Means of escape for disabled people
Comprehensive guidance to ensuring fire safety for disabled people. Please note this guide was published in 2007, before the Equality Act 2010.

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Do your Fire Risk Assessment now
Our free online Fire Risk Assessment tool is designed specifically for tourist accommodation and can help you to comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Guest Safety
Do you have a health & safety policy? All accommodation providers have a duty of care for guests and other visitors, meaning you need to identify and control safety risks in your business.
This includes ensuring you provide safe products for guest use, getting gas appliances checked annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer and displaying a no smoking sign.
Health and safety liabilities
Your liability to guests and employees, what insurance you can take and whether you need a licence to transport guests.
Product safety
How to ensure you provide safe products for your customers, particularly for gas and electrical appliances.
Swimming, gym and outdoor safety
How to manage health & safety for swimming pools and gyms and whether you need a licence for adventure activities.
Smoking in public places
Your legal duty to display a no smoking sign and ensure enclosed spaces remain smoke-free.
How to manage Legionnaires’ disease
What Legionnaires’ disease is, how to tell if there is a risk in your business and what you should do to manage legionella.
How to write a health & safety policy
Find an example health & safety policy and guided templates you can download and complete.
Food safety and hygiene
If you supply any food or drink, including breakfast, you need to register with your local authority.
Food labelling
You must tell guests if your food contains any of the 14 major allergens.
Paddle Safely
A guide created by British Canoeing and the RNLI about safety in paddlesports, including Stand Up Paddleboarding.
Guidance for fairgrounds
Guidance from the HSE on health & safety for fairgrounds and amusement parks.
Security Risk Management
Protect UK's guide to security risk management and counter terrorism for businesses.
Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete
Guidance from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors about Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC).
Employee Safety
If you employ staff, there are additional safety precautions you need to be aware of, such as managing the risk for staff who use computer screens or providing adequate staff facilities. It is also a legal requirement to have a written health & safety policy if you have five or more employees.
Health & Safety at Work Act
Your responsibilities for the safety of your staff and your legal obligation to complete a health & safety assessment.
Hazards from work activities
How to ensure your staff do their jobs safely, such as employees who use computers.
Hazards in the workplace
Guidance on the use of safety glass, preventing trips and testing electrical products.
Safety management
Your legal obligations under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
How to control risks at work
This HSE online toolbox can help you to control risks in the workplace, including electrical safety and workplace transport.
Employer liability insurance guide
Whether you need employers’ liability insurance, the policy conditions to look out for and what level of cover you need.