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.

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.