Health & Safety Compliance: Protecting Your Business and Your Insurance

At Craven we see it too often – a business is warned multiple times to get its health & safety (H&S) arrangements in order, but the advice is ignored. “It’s too expensive, it’s not a priority, and training is pointless.” Then, when the insurance company decides to pay a visit, the panic sets in.

Some Examples Of What the Insurers Will Be Looking For

Insurance companies don’t just check whether you pay your premium on time. They want proof that your workplace is safe, risks are managed, and employees are competent in their roles.

Here are some examples including:

• Comprehensive risk assessments (fire, slips, trips, falls, manual handling, workplace transport, noise, vibration, PUWER, COSHH)

• Training records

• Incident reporting (including RIDDOR) and investigation procedures

• Machinery maintenance schedules and statutory inspections

• Workplace inspections and permits to work

• First aid arrangements and medical surveillance

• Contractor vetting (insurance checks, RAMS)

• PPE provision and monitoring of use

• Environmental compliance (waste disposal, pollution prevention)

• Evidence of Health & Safety policy management

If these documents, systems, and records aren’t ready and up to date, the insurer may conclude that the business is too high-risk to insure.

Why This Matters

Without insurance, a single accident, injury, or prosecution could financially destroy a company. Even if you think you “get away with it” for a while, you are building a paper trail of negligence.

The consequences can include:

• Higher premiums or loss of coverage altogether

• Regulatory enforcement notices or fines

• Business disruption from incidents that could have been prevented

• Reputational damage with clients, suppliers, and staff

Lessons for All Businesses

H&S compliance isn’t optional – it’s a legal requirement, a moral duty, and a financial safeguard.

If your business hasn’t:

• Kept risk assessments current

• Recorded all staff training

• Carried out statutory inspections

• Maintained clear accident reporting processes

…then it’s time to act.

Our Advice

1. Don’t delay – book your H&S review well before any scheduled inspections.

2. Document everything – if it’s not written down, it didn’t happen (in the eyes of insurers).

3. See training as an investment – it protects your people and your business.

4. Work with a competent person – this is a legal requirement and makes inspections far smoother.

At Craven Consultancy Services, we can help you get inspection-ready – avoiding the last-minute panic, potential refusal of cover, and costly consequences of non-compliance. HR | Health & Safety – Consultants Craven Consultancy Services