H&S policy, risk assessments, first aid and the poster

Four things bundled together: a general risk assessment for the premises, a first-aid needs assessment (what kit and how many trained first-aiders you actually need for your size and risk level), a stocked first-aid kit, and the HSE law poster displayed where staff can read it (or the equivalent leaflet given to each worker). A written health and safety policy becomes a separate legal requirement once you have 5 or more employees.

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 underpins all of this, and HSE inspectors have the power to issue improvement or prohibition notices — including closing you down on the spot — if basic provisions like first aid or the poster are missing. It is also one of the first things your insurer and any employee bringing a claim will ask to see.

Watch out for

• Buying a generic off-the-shelf first-aid kit without doing the needs assessment first — a kitchen with knives and hot surfaces needs different provision to a drinks-only bar.
• Displaying an old or damaged law poster, or not displaying one at all and forgetting the leaflet alternative — either the current poster or the leaflet for every worker is required, not neither.
• Writing the policy once at 5 employees and never revisiting it as the business grows or the risks change (new equipment, new areas of the building opened up).

Sources

• HSE — Simple guidance on health and safety for small business checked 2026-09-02
• HSE — First aid at work checked 2026-09-02
• HSE — Health and safety law poster checked 2026-09-02

See also

• Fire marshal training and the first drill
• Written statement of particulars, day one