Your Health & Safety half-year roundup

David Taylor – Health & Safety Advice Manager 

David Taylor is a Chartered Member of IOSH with over a decade of experience leading Health & Safety innovation across high-risk industries. As Health & Safety Advice Manager, David leads a high-performing advisory department at the forefront of safety strategy and service transformation.

 

Hi, I’m David, manager of Citation’s Health & Safety advice team. As we hit the halfway mark of 2025, I’m here to share the biggest trends we’ve seen so far in the world of Health & Safety, and what they mean for your business in staying safe, compliant, and prepared for the months ahead. 

Here’s how things work 

Whenever our clients contact us, we log the details in our CRM system. From there, we’ve built detailed dashboards that let us track advice enquiries across our client base, from which sectors are calling most often to the top topics and trends shaping the health and safety landscape. 

We also keep a close eye on the number of enforcement cases we’ve supported clients through. By analysing this data, we gain valuable insights that help us continually improve our advice and stay one step ahead of emerging risks.  

It’s been a busy year for Citation so far. We’ve now officially been providing support and advice for over 30 years (Happy Birthday to us!), so let’s jump in and see what some of the most common calls have been about, and how we can help our clients solve them.  

 

Citation’s Health & Safety advice line statistics, January – July 2025 

Since January, we’ve delivered nearly 11,300 pieces of advice through our Health & Safety advice line, and exchanged close to 9,000 emails with clients, offering ongoing support, guidance, and clarification when they’ve needed it most. This means we’ve helped our clients with over 20,000 enquiries so far this year, supporting them across every area of their business.  

Top five advice areas 

Here’s a breakdown of the top five most popular Health & Safety topics we’ve received so far via our advice line in 2025: 

1. Health & Safety policies, 9.72% 
2. RIDDOR, 9.05% 
3. Risk assessment, 8.81% 
4. Accreditation, 7.6% 
5. Accident, 6.68% 

The order of inquiries has changed a bit since 2024: 

1. Risk assessment, 9.22% 
2. Accidents, 8.23% 
3. Accreditation, 6.75% 
4. RIDDOR 6.6% 
5. Health & Safety policies, 6.14% 

The order of our top topics may shift slightly as we head towards the end of 2025. However, key compliance pillars, such as risk assessments, accidents, RIDDOR reporting, accreditation, and Health & Safety policies have consistently ranked in our top 5–10 over the past five years. We don’t expect that to change any time soon. 

Sector breakdown 

We provide advice across a wide range of industries, but the top three sectors we’ve received advice requests from this year have been: 

1. Construction, 21.19% 
2. Manufacturing, 11.39% 
3. Care, 11.24% 

This doesn’t come as a surprise, as these sectors are high-risk, heavily regulated and face unique safety challenges. 

• In construction, contractors have to meet strict accreditation requirements and manage accident reporting under RIDDOR regulations. 

• In manufacturing, workplaces face higher enforcement actions due to the complex nature of production, and organisations often need detailed on-site consultancy support. 

• In care, it’s essential that their fire safety is up to date to ensure the safety of staff and residents, and frequent face-to-face interaction requires careful incident management policies.  

That’s why we make sure we have the UK’s largest team of Health & Safety consultants, with years of experience in these sectors, on hand to help. 

Top advice topics by industry in 2025 

These are the top five advice areas for each of our largest industries in 2025 so far: 

Manufacturing: 

1. Enforcement 
2. Health & Safety policies 
3. Risk assessment 
4. On-site consultancy  
5. RIDDOR 

Care 

1. Health & Safety policies 
2. Risk assessment 
3. Fire 
4. RIDDOR 
5. Accident 

Construction: 

1. Accreditation 
2. Health & Safety policies 
3. RIDDOR 
4. Risk assessment 
5. Accident 

Cleaning: 

1. Risk assessment 
2. RIDDOR 
3. Accident 
4. Accreditation 
5. General health 

Engineering:  

1. Accreditation 
2. Health & Safety policies 
3. RIDDOR 
4. Risk assessment 
5. On-site consultancy 

The data resembles what we’ve seen in previous years; core areas like risk assessments, Health & Safety policies, and RIDDOR reports make frequent appearances across the board.   

 

Enforcement activity  

In 2022, HSE announced five key points for their 10-year business plan, which has influenced the amount and intensity of enforcement notices they’ve given out:  

1. Reduce work-related ill health, with a specific focus on mental health and stress.  
2. Increase and maintain trust to ensure people feel safe where they live, where they work, and in their environment.  
3. Enable industry to innovate safely to prevent major incidents, supporting the move towards net zero.  
4. Maintain Great Britain’s record as one of the safest countries to work in. 
5. Ensure HSE is a great place to work, and we attract and retain exceptional people. 

Whilst we can’t help with that last objective, we can do our best to make sure that our clients have the knowledge and advice available to meet these key points and stay as safe as possible at work.  

Types of notices 

Here are the most common types of notice you might receive following a visit from the HSE or another relevant authority: 

Notice of Contravention 

This means the HSE has seen or suspects that something is in breach of Health & Safety law. You’ll need to demonstrate how you plan to put things right. These notices do not go on your formal enforcement record but should still be taken seriously. 

Improvement Notice (IN) 

An official enforcement notice. This is issued when there are breaches of Health & Safety regulations that require attention, but not urgently. You’ll be given at least 21 days to make the necessary improvements. 

Prohibition Notice (PN) 

This is more serious. It’s issued when there’s a risk of serious personal injury. All work must stop either immediately or within a specified timeframe, depending on the severity. 

• PN – Immediate: Work must stop straight away (this is the most common type) 

• PN – Deferred: Work must stop by a set deadline (e.g. if stopping immediately would create greater risk) 

Advice / Warnings 

These are informal notices given by inspectors highlighting areas of concern. They’re not legally enforced, but it’s strongly recommended that you act on them promptly to avoid escalation. 

Fire Notice 

Although not issued by the HSE, Fire Notices come from your local Fire and Rescue Authority (FRA). They operate similarly — flagging fire safety risks that need to be addressed to remain compliant under fire safety legislation. 

Sector-specific Notices 

The HSE can also issue specialist enforcement notices under specific regulations, such as: 

• REACH Notices: Covering chemical safety and substance control 

• PPP(SU)R Notices: For plant protection products under supply and use regulations 

 

HSE in action 

As of June 2025, the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has publicly issued 1826 enforcement notices (notices are published 5 weeks after they’re served to give enough time for appeals and internal quality assurance). 

Since January, HSE has issued: 

• 475 Prohibition Notices 

• 1328 Improvement Notices 

• 23 other enforcement notices (REACH, PPP(SU)R etc.) 

What’s more, HSE has announced their focus areas for 2025-2026. Their priorities include: 

• Silica, dust & COSHH risks  

• Asbestos  

• Health surveillance  

• Work-related stress and musculoskeletal disorders  

• Guarding and machinery safety  

• Public Safety (gas, building safety, cladding) 

The HSE plans to carry out 14,000 proactive inspections this year. That’s roughly 55 visits per working day (excluding weekends and public holidays). So, make sure you’re checking these areas carefully.  

As it stands, our clients are 47x less likely to face an enforcement notice than the national average. But sometimes it does happen.  

Here’s a breakdown of the enforcement action we’ve supported clients with so far this year, and some tips for ensuring your business stays compliant. 

 

Citation enforcement statistics January-July 2025 

Our clients have collectively received 120 notices since January, with the vast majority (~52%) being Notices of Contravention.  

• 20.83% were Improvement Notices 

• 12.5% were advice/warnings 

• 11.66% were Prohibition Notices 

• 2.5% were Fire Notices 

Top five enforcement notices by topic  

The top 50% of all enforcement notices came from these five areas: 

1. COSHH, 14.17% 
2. Health surveillance, 9.17% 
3. Guarding, 7.5% 
4. Local exhaust ventilation (LEV), 6.67% 
5. Working at height, 5.83% 

 

Enforcement types by sector and subject 

Construction: 

• Most formal notices issued: Prohibition Notices 

• Common enforcement themes: Unsafe access, working at height, site conditions 

Construction leads in high-severity enforcement, with multiple Prohibition Notices meaning inspectors are regularly identifying immediate risks serious enough to halt work. 

Manufacturing: 

• Most formal notices issued: Improvement Notices 

• Common enforcement themes: Machine guarding, COSHH, equipment maintenance 

Manufacturing received the highest number of Improvement Notices, showing that while risks may not always be urgent, HSE is actively pushing for operational improvements. 

Engineering: 

• Notices issued: Mix of Improvement and Contravention Notices  

• Common enforcement themes: COSHH, lifting equipment and Local Exhaust Ventilation 

While engineering businesses haven’t yet seen severe enforcement, the high volume of contravention notices shows they’re under watch. 

Logistics: 

• Most formal notices issued: Improvement Notices 

• Common enforcement themes: Risk assessments, workplace transport, electrical safety, LOLER compliance 

Logistics received multiple Improvement Notices, the strongest pattern being gaps in risk assessments. Issues also included transport safety, lifting equipment and operations requirements, and electrical hazards, reflecting the sector’s complex operational environment where layered compliance is critical. 

Care: 

• Most formal notices issued: Fire Notices  

• Common enforcement themes: Fire safety systems, evacuation planning 

Fire notices dominate in care, pointing to ongoing concerns about preparedness in high-vulnerability environments. These may not be HSE-issued but carry equal compliance weight. 

Food: 

• Notices issued: Low-volume Notice of Contravention 

• Common enforcement themes: Workplace transport, manual handling, asbestos 

While enforcement numbers are low, the spread of issues suggests no single focus but a continued need to tighten up on basics across the board. 

 

Top tips for protecting your business from the main enforcement areas 

Accidents and oversights can happen, even with the best intentions. That’s why it’s essential to have a robust plan in place: one that helps you proactively reduce risk and react quickly and effectively if something goes wrong.  

Here are some of my best tips to help protect your business from the five most common enforcement areas: 

COSHH 

• Make sure your assessments are up to scratch: Carry out written, task-specific COSHH assessments that clearly show how substances are used, who’s exposed, and what control measures are in place. Keep them updated and easy to access. 

• Think beyond PPE: PPE is important, but it shouldn’t be your first line of defence. Look at whether substances can be removed or swapped for something safer and use things like local exhaust ventilation to control exposure at the source. 

• Keep your control measures working properly: Ventilation systems, PPE, and storage procedures should all be regularly checked and maintained. Make sure Safety Data Sheets are up to date and containers are clearly labelled. 

• Train your team and check their health: Everyone working with hazardous substances should be trained on how to handle them safely and what to do in an emergency. If staff are regularly exposed, health surveillance might also be needed. 

Health surveillance 

• Get ahead of the risk: Put systems in place from day one to protect employees exposed to risks like noise, dust, fumes or vibration, prevention starts with early action. 

• Make regular checks a habit: Health surveillance isn’t a one-and-done, schedule routine health checks throughout the year to catch any issues early and keep your team safe. 

• Create a culture of communication: Encourage employees to speak up about health concerns and symptoms. The sooner you know, the sooner you can step in. 

• Keep a clear paper trail: Log every health check, concern, or incident, even minor ones. Good records help you spot patterns, take action, and stay compliant. 

Guarding  

• Check your machinery has the right guards: All moving parts should be properly guarded and checked regularly. If it’s exposed and moving, it needs a guard, simple as that. 

• Stick to the PUWER rules: Make sure you’re following PUWER guidance and carrying out scheduled inspections. It’s the best way to stay safe and compliant. 

• Train your team on what good looks like: Everyone should know how machine guarding works, what to look out for, and what to do if something’s not right. Keep your training matrix up to date. 

• Don’t ignore damaged or missing guards: If a guard’s off or broken, stop the job. No exceptions, it’s not worth the risk. 

Local exhaust ventilation (LEV)

• Use the right kit for the job: If you’re working with dust, fumes or vapours, PPE alone won’t cut it. Make sure you’ve got LEV systems in place that meet COSHH standards. 

• Keep your systems in good shape: LEV systems can wear out or clog up over time, schedule regular inspections and servicing to keep them working effectively. 

• Check they’re doing what they should: LEV needs to be tested at least every 14 months, or more often depending on the risk. Keep records and act on the results. 

• Make sure staff know how to use them: Even the best systems are useless if used incorrectly. Train your team on proper use and how to spot issues early. 

Working at height 

• Plan ahead with a proper risk assessment:  Before anyone leaves the ground, carry out a risk assessment. Consider if the work can be done from the ground and factor in weather, surfaces and emergency access. 

• Pick the right equipment for the job: Whether it’s a ladder, scaffold or MEWP, it needs to be the right fit, and safe. Don’t forget harnesses or fall protection where needed. 

• Only trained people should be working at height: No training? No climbing. Always make sure workers are competent, trained, and certified before they work at height. 

• Keep a close eye on conditions: Things change fast when you’re working at height. Wind, rain, loose ground, if the situation’s changed, stop and reassess. 

 

Boost your compliance and protection with Citation 

Here at Citation, we want our clients to feel confident that they’ve got the knowledge, support and guidance they need to thrive. That’s why our Health & Safety advice line is so valuable. With 24/7* availability, we’re here for you whenever you need us.  

I hope this roundup has provided useful insights and practicable tips to help strengthen your compliance. Thank you for being a valued client. We look forward to continuing to support you and your business. 

Best wishes, 

David Taylor 

Health & Safety Advice Manager 

 

Not part of our Health & Safety service yet? If you’d like to benefit from free advice all year round and guaranteed protection, get in touch on 0161 532 4731. 

 

 *Applicable for all clients who’ve purchased Citation’s HR & Employment Law and/or Health & Safety core service, including H&S and HR Workplace Expert. Please note that our H&S and HR Virtual Assistance clients have access to our advice line Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.