HSE has published a leaflet entitled “When a health and safety inspector calls: What to expect when we visit your business.” This document describes what an inspector will do, what he will discuss with you, and what will happen if he finds you’re doing something wrong. It also makes clear that an inspector may talk to employees or their representatives. If he finds during his visit that you are breaking the law, he may instruct you to stop the dangerous activity immediately.
The leaflet also explains that after concluding the inspection, the inspector may give you verbal or written advice about how to improve your workplace’s health and safety. After the visit, he may also give you a notification of contravention (for which you will have to pay a fee), an improvement notice, or a prohibition notice; or the HSE may prosecute you for breaching health and safety laws. All these actions are described in the leaflet, as are the consequences of noncompliance.
HSE has also produced an animated video about what to expect when an inspector visit.
Emcare offers employers and employees a variety of training courses that instruct on health and safety laws, thus helping prepare for inspector visits. In addition, Emcare can provide bespoke health and safety consultancy services to assist businesses in meeting legal requirements. To inquire about courses or consultancy services, call 0141 404 0075 or email info@emcare.co.uk.
Sources
- Health and Safety Executive, Publications, When a health and safety inspector calls: What to expect when we visit your business, accessed 16 August 2025, https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/hsc14.htm?utm_source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=guidance-push&utm_term=inspections-1&utm_content=digest-30-may-25.
- Health and Safety Executive, YouTube video, When an Inspector Calls, accessed 16 August 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwKr_H25yqA.
