Health and safety basics for your small business

When you’re running a small business, keeping people safe is essential - but knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. Regulations, risk assessments and responsibilities often sound more complicated than they really are, especially when you’re already juggling the day-to-day demands of your business.

That’s why we spoke with some of EDF’s health, safety and wellbeing specialists to break things down into simple, practical steps. In this Q&A, you’ll learn what “good health and safety” actually looks like, why it doesn’t need to be expensive or time consuming, and how a few small actions can make a big difference to your team and your business.

EDF is one of the UK’s largest energy companies and its largest producer of low-carbon electricity. Nuclear safety is our overriding priority and because of this we have built a zero-harm culture. Nuclear power stations are highly regulated in all security and safety matters. Our safety standards are rightly very high and our emergency arrangements are rigorously planned and rehearsed. In this blog we talk to some of our health and safety experts to give your small business guidance.

Can you give a short intro to yourself:

Katya: I'm part of the Nuclear Services Design Safety Compliance team, where I work as a CDM Advisor supporting the Principal Designer for Sizewell C. My role focuses on ensuring designers meet CDM and wider health and safety requirements, providing guidance, reviews and regulatory context throughout the design process. I bring over 18 years of experience delivering health, safety and regulatory support across major international projects, particularly in the nuclear and engineering sectors.

Sean: As a HSW (health safety and wellbeing)  Specialist in the CWP (Civil Works Program) HSW Team, we act as a client support and assurance function for Sizewell C specifically looking at the civil works being undertaken by the Civil Works Alliance (CWA). Aiding the wider CWP team in HSW matters, and assurance of the various elements of the civil works, both within Sizewell C and of the CWA. I’ve been a safety professional for 18 years, working with regional and national construction projects, manufacturers, and consulting for organisations large and small.

What are the essential first steps a small business should take to build a basic health and safety framework?

Katya: All business can build a H&S framework based on the simple model of Plan, Do, Check, Act and Review. The first step should be to identify the biggest risks and the appropriate control measures. 

Sean:  I agree with Katya, to build on this I’d make sure your business is familiar with the HSE’s guidance documents, it’s a great asset. The PDCA method Katya mentions is covered in HSG65 for example, the L series guidance is the best place for an employer to start in my view. If there is an ‘L’ series guidance document they are generally the standard an employer should keep to, and they include the regulations and explain them too.

What are the most cost-effective safety measures small businesses can introduce quickly?

Katya: It depends on the business; however, some examples of simple cost-effective measures are: good housekeeping, clear signage, basic PPE, and short toolbox-style briefings.

Sean: I would add that making sure staff get trained with their industry specific training is a cost-effective measure, as not only do most of these include important elements of safety training, they also should improve the quality of work and productivity, so it works for the business economically too.

Are there any simple workplace checks or routines you recommend for preventing the most common accidents?

Katya: Daily walk-arounds, quick checks on trip hazards, equipment, and housekeeping. Five minutes a day beats five hours of incident paperwork.

Sean: Couldn’t agree more. Short, focused leadership tours of premises or sites, with appropriate actions taken by managers to deal with issues there and then can make a huge difference to how the workforce sees health and safety.

How can small business leaders encourage a positive safety culture without big budgets or formal training programs?

Katya: Lead by example, talk about safety often i.e. safety message in the beginning of each meeting, and celebrate small wins. Culture grows from what leaders consistently do.

Sean: Agreed.

How do you recommend owners get employees genuinely engaged in safety practices?

Katya: Engage all employees. Ask for their ideas, act on their feedback, and make safety a shared responsibility - not a top-down rulebook.

Sean: I think the only thing I could add, is that it’s important for leaders to not just engage on a safety point, but general engagement, interest and care for their employees is critical. Safety is not held in peoples’ heads in isolation. From my experience, if people perceive their company to be treating staff poorly in pay, conditions, or respect, then this undermines faith in the safety message too.

What’s the best way for small business owners to communicate safety expectations clearly?

Katya: Be simple, direct, and consistent. Use plain language and repeat key messages until they stick.

Sean: I think it’s also worth noting that visual methods are also a great way to communicate if they are concise. A brief step-by-step guide of the key steps for a task with hazards called out at critical points is a great way to support the task training they should have been given when starting their role and helps to embed good practice.

What’s the one piece of advice you want small business owners to remember after reading this interview?

Katya: Keep it simple. Safety doesn’t need to be complicated - start small, stay consistent, and bring everybody onboard.

Sean: Don’t ignore little anomalies and deviations in daily tasks, find out why things happened and be open to changing. It could lead to a new risk, but it could also be an opportunity for developing something new.

For small businesses, good health and safety isn’t about complexity – it’s about consistency. As Katya and Sean highlight, simple habits like daily checks, clear communication and genuine engagement with your team can make a meaningful difference. Start small and keep improving. Those steady steps build a safer workplace and a stronger business.