The core duties
- Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 — the general duty to protect employee health, including mental health
- Management Regulations 1999 — risk assessment, and health surveillance where risks indicate it
- COSHH & Noise/Vibration Regulations — statutory health surveillance for specific exposures
- Working Time Regulations 1998 — free health assessments for night workers
- Equality Act 2010 — reasonable adjustments for disabled employees, including many with long-term health conditions
- Statutory sick pay and fair absence procedures under employment law
Where SMEs get caught
The most common gaps we find: night worker assessments never offered, health surveillance missing despite noise or vibration exposure, and absence decisions taken without clinical advice. Each is inexpensive to fix — and expensive to ignore. A free introductory meeting is the quickest way to find out where you stand.