Question 1

What is the health and safety helpline?

Accepted Answer

The health and safety helpline is a phone advice line for UK employers, staffed by NEBOSH and IOSH-qualified consultants. It covers everything from routine compliance questions (do I need a fire risk assessment? who's my first aider?) to urgent incident response (an employee has been seriously injured, the HSE has served a notice). Every advisor works only with UK employers and understands the practical realities of running your operation safely.

Question 2

When must I report an incident under RIDDOR?

Accepted Answer

The health and safety helpline can walk you through RIDDOR reporting, which covers work-related deaths, specified injuries (fractures, amputations, serious burns, loss of sight), injuries that keep a worker off normal duties for more than seven consecutive days, certain occupational diseases and dangerous occurrences. Fatalities and specified injuries must be reported to the HSE without delay; over-seven-day injuries within 15 days. Ring the helpline the same day if you're unsure — late reporting is itself a compliance risk.

Question 3

Can the health and safety helpline help during an HSE visit?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If an HSE inspector is on site, or you've been served an improvement or prohibition notice, ring the health and safety helpline immediately. We can advise on your rights during the inspection, help you gather the right documents, review any notice before you sign it, and represent you in discussions with the inspector. HSE notices carry serious consequences — potential prosecution, unlimited fines, and personal liability for directors — so early advice is critical.

Question 4

Do small businesses need a health and safety helpline?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every UK employer has legal duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and businesses with five or more employees must have a written health and safety policy and record their significant risk assessments. Small employers often struggle to keep up because H&S isn't anyone's day job — that's exactly what the health and safety helpline is designed for. A short call every few weeks keeps you compliant without hiring a full-time H&S manager.

Question 5

How much does the health and safety helpline cost?

Accepted Answer

The first health and safety helpline consultation is free — a 15-minute call with a NEBOSH-qualified consultant at no cost. Ongoing support is available either pay-as-you-go or as a monthly H&S retainer that includes unlimited helpline access, annual site audit, risk assessment updates and policy maintenance. Retainers typically start from £99 per month for small offices; higher-risk sectors pay more.

Question 6

What qualifications do the helpline advisors hold?

Accepted Answer

Advisors on the health and safety helpline hold NEBOSH National Diploma, NEBOSH National General Certificate, or equivalent qualifications, and most are Chartered Members of IOSH (CMIOSH). Sector-specialist advisors are available for construction (CDM 2015 competence), care (CQC), education and manufacturing. We're accredited by RoSPA, the British Safety Council and, where appropriate, hold CHAS and SafeContractor recognition.

Question 7

What is health and safety helpline under UK law?

Accepted Answer

Health And Safety Helpline is a defined concept under UK employment law that affects how employers manage their workforce day-to-day. In plain English, health and safety helpline refers to the legal framework, rights and obligations that apply when an employer and employee deal with the matter at hand. Under UK law, getting health and safety helpline right means following the relevant statute (most commonly the Employment Rights Act 1996 or the Equality Act 2010), the ACAS Code of Practice where applicable, and any contractual terms that already apply between the parties. For UK employers, the practical importance of health and safety helpline is that mistakes are rarely about substance, they are almost always about process. Tribunals look at what you did, when you did it and whether you gave the employee a fair opportunity to respond. If you are unsure how health and safety helpline applies to your specific situation, speak to a qualified HR advisor before acting.

Question 8

How does health and safety helpline work for UK employers?

Accepted Answer

Health And Safety Helpline works through a combination of statutory rights, the employment contract and reasonable employer behaviour. Under UK employment law, the employer typically carries the duty to act fairly, document decisions and consult with the employee before any change that materially affects their terms or status. In practice, employers should: (1) check whether the matter is covered by the contract or handbook; (2) confirm whether the Employment Rights Act 1996 or related legislation imposes a specific process; (3) follow the ACAS Code where it applies; and (4) record decisions in writing with a clear rationale. Failure to follow process is the single most common reason employers lose Employment Tribunal claims about health and safety helpline. Our HR advisors handle health and safety helpline for UK businesses every week, get in touch for guidance tailored to your situation.

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