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Dealing with HSE Notices

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 12:34:25 GMT

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) enforcement notices can be a defining moment for a business. Handled correctly, they often lead to safer systems, clearer responsibilities and a stronger health and safety culture. Handled poorly or ignored, they can quickly escalate into prosecution.

This HSE case , where repeated failures to comply resulted in prosecution and fines for both the business and its directors personally, is a clear reminder that enforcement notices are not informal warnings, they should be taken seriously, and that failure to comply with them is a criminal offence.

So what should businesses understand about HSE enforcement notices, how to comply and whether to get professional support when an enforcement notice is served?

What are HSE enforcement notices?

HSE enforcement notices are legal tools used by regulators to require organisations to improve health and safety standards or stop unsafe activities. They are typically issued by HSE inspectors during or after a workplace inspection.

It’s worth mentioning that the HSE is responsible for enforcing health and safety law in higher-risk industries such as construction, manufacturing, engineering, and certain parts of the chemical and food sectors. For the lower-risk workplaces such as offices, shops, warehouses and hospitality, enforcement sits with local authorities(LA). While both have similar powers, including issuing enforcement notices, here we will focus specifically on HSE enforcement notices, how they work, and what they mean for duty-holders (typically employers).

T he HSE can issue two main types of enforcement notices:

Improvement Notices

These are issued where inspectors identify a breach of health and safety law that must be remedied within a specified timeframe. Work may continue, but the underlying issue must be properly addressed and evidenced.

Prohibition Notices

These are issued where there is a risk of serious personal injury. The activity in question must stop immediately and cannot resume until adequate controls are in place.

Both types of notice are legal documents. Failing to comply with them is a criminal offence.

When are HSE notices typically served?

HSE enforcement notices can be issued in any sector. They are commonly served when inspectors identify issues such as:

Unsafe machinery or equipment
DSEAR failings involving flammable or explosive substances
Inadequate risk assessments or control measures
Fire safety or hazardous substance management failures
Repeated or long-standing non-compliance
Poor planning, supervision or management

How should businesses respond to an HSE notice?

The most damaging response is to ignore a notice or apply short-term fixes that don’t address the real issue. HSE follow-up inspections are designed to test whether meaningful improvements have been made.

A robust response should include:

A clear understanding of what the notice requires — legally and practically
Identifying why the issue arose in the first place
Implementing proportionate, sustainable control measures
Demonstrating compliance clearly and confidently to the HSE
Preventing similar issues arising elsewhere in the business

This is where competent professional H&S support becomes critical.

Choosing the right professional support for dealing with HSE notices

Not all health and safety support is the same. When enforcement action is involved, businesses should look for a professional who:

Understands enforcement, not just documentation
Practical experience dealing directly with HSE inspectors and enforcement notices is essential
Has relevant sector knowledge
Whether it’s manufacturing, logistics, education, laboratories, food production or construction, effective support must reflect real operational risks, not just issue generic templates and hope for the better
Focuses on systems, not quick fixes. Superficial solutions often fail HSE follow-up visits. Sustainable systems are what inspectors expect to see.
Can advise directors as well as managers. In addition to company prosecution the HSE enforcement can consider individual accountability, where there is evidence of consent, connivance or neglect, including under Section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act.
Communicates clearly and confidently with regulators

Competent Health and Safety consultants should be able to justify decisions, explain controls and demonstrate compliance in a way that builds regulatory confidence.

The real cost of getting it wrong

Fines are only one part of the picture. Poorly managed enforcement action can also lead to:

Operational disruption and project delays
Increased insurance scrutiny
Loss of client or stakeholder confidence
Personal risk for directors and senior managers
Long-term reputational damage

In comparison, the cost of competent health and safety support is often modest.

Final thought

HSE enforcement notices are not simply punitive measures, they are a signal that something needs to change. In our experience, most organisations that receive them want to engage constructively and do the right thing.

The real question for many businesses isn’t whether they care about health and safety, it’s whether they have the right support in place when the HSE becomes involved.

Handled properly, enforcement does not have to mean escalation. It can be the start of meaningful, lasting improvement.

Taking on the Principal Contractor Role for the First Time: Why Early CDM Support Matters

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 12:53:09 GMT

Principal Contractor duties, CDM 2015 responsibilities and proportionate project planning

Being asked to take on the role of Principal Contractor can feel like a significant step, particularly for contractors who are technically competent and well established, but who haven’t previously had to take on the formal duties required under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM).

This often happens when a business has grown, taken on larger or more complex work, or is involved in projects with multiple contractors, designers, or specialist subcontractors. While the technical capability to deliver the work is already there, the formal duties that come with being a Principal Contractor under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM) can raise a lot of questions.

This kind of situation is not unheard of and it highlights exactly where good CDM support adds real value.

When being competent isn’t the same as being prepared for CDM

Many contractors asked to act as Principal Contractor are:

Well established
Technically capable
Experienced in delivering complex work
Used to managing people and subcontractors

What they’re often less familiar with is the specific legal role of Principal Contractor under CDM.

Common questions include:

What exactly are our duties as Principal Contractor on this project?
What information should already exist before work starts?
What do we need from the client, designers and other contractors?
How detailed does the Construction Phase Plan need to be?
What level of site supervision and ongoing compliance is expected?

These are a sign of a natural part of stepping into a new role.

The challenge of multi-party and specialist projects

These questions become even more important on projects that involve:

Multiple contractors or trade
Designers appointed early in the project
Clients expecting clear leadership and coordination

Without clear arrangements, there’s a real risk that responsibilities become blurred, information is missing, and assumptions are made about who is managing what.

CDM is designed to prevent exactly this.

What effective CDM support should actually do

Good CDM support isn’t about producing large volumes of paperwork or quoting regulations.

In practice, it should help contractors to:

Understand their Principal Contractor duties in real terms. Not just what the regulations say, but what is reasonably required for the specific type of project being delivered.
Gather and review suitable pre-construction information
Helping identify what information already exists, what is missing, and what needs to be requested from clients, designers and other parties before work starts, to ensure that the works can be completed safely and in coordination with all parties.
Ask the right questions of the right people
Supporting coordination between designers and contractors so that risks are identified, understood and addressed — particularly where design decisions affect construction risk.
Develop a proportionate Construction Phase Plan (CPP). A CPP should reflect the real risks of the work and set out clear, practical arrangements for managing them and not be a generic document that doesn’t match what happens on site.
Put sensible site supervision and compliance arrangements in place.
Decide how best to manage safety on site, whether through direct supervision, external support, or a combination of both.

Why engaging early makes all the difference

One of the biggest advantages comes when contractors seek support before work starts.

Early CDM involvement helps to:

Close information gaps
Clarify roles and responsibilities
Reduce uncertainty and last-minute pressure
Avoid delays, rework or enforcement action

It also gives contractors confidence that they are meeting their duties without overcomplicating the project .

CD M should support good work, not get in the way of it

CDM exists to improve planning, coordination and risk management on construction projects.

When applied properly, it supports competent contractors to:

Deliver work safely
Coordinate multiple parties effectively
Maintain compliance without unnecessary burden

If you’re being asked to take on the Principal Contractor role for the first time, particularly on larger or more complex projects, getting the right advice early can make the process far more manageable.

Learn how our CDM consultancy services can support you here.

PUWER Assessor Training: Building Competence in Work Equipment Assessment

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 11:55:18 GMT

When PUWER requirements start to make sense in practice

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) place clear duties on employers to ensure that work equipment is suitable, safe, properly maintained, and used by competent people. While many organisations are familiar with the regulation in principle, translating PUWER requirements into everyday practice is where challenges might arise.

PUWER assessor training is specifically designed for those responsible for evaluating work equipment and machinery safety, including health and safety professionals, engineers, engineering managers and project teams. The focus of our training is not simply on understanding the regulations, but on developing the competence needed to identify hazards, judge risk, and determine whether controls are suitable and sufficient.

Training grounded in the real working environment

PUWER assessor training is delivered in-house and set within the client’s normal working environment. This allows the training to be built around their equipment, processes, and tasks already in use, rather than relying on generic or hypothetical examples.

Delegates are able to explore how PUWER requirements relate directly to the machinery they operate or manage, including guarding, safe use, maintenance considerations, and foreseeable misuse.

Delegates attending our courses in the past came from a mix of roles, including health and safety, engineering, management and project teams. This reflects the reality that responsibility for machinery safety is often shared and benefits from cross-disciplinary understanding.

Assessing equipment in practice

The practical elements of PUWER assessor training focus on assessing equipment in use, identifying hazards, evaluating existing controls, and considering whether additional measures may be required to meet PUWER requirements.

While some aspects of the training naturally resonate more strongly with certain roles than others, particularly where technical detail or calculations are involved, the learning environment encourages open discussion and practical problem-solving. This allows delegates to explore different perspectives and develop a more rounded understanding of what constitutes a suitable and sufficient PUWER assessment.

When understanding really “clicks”

One of the most effective moments during PUWER assessor training is often when delegates recognise hazards or aspects of PUWER they may not have fully considered before. These moments frequently relate to how equipment is actually used in practice, rather than how it is assumed to be used on paper.

This deeper understanding can change how people think about machinery and risk when they return to their normal roles, supporting more informed decision-making around existing equipment and earlier identification of machinery safety issues during projects or when new equipment is being introduced, saving time and money to achieve project sign-off.

Supporting competent PUWER assessments

PUWER assessor training plays an important role in supporting competent assessments. While training does not replace the need for a structured PUWER assessment process, it helps ensure that those carrying out assessments understand what they are looking for, are aware of the current standards, how to judge adequacy of controls, and how to document findings meaningfully.

Building a solid foundation of PUWER assessor competence across different disciplines supports more consistent, suitable and sufficient assessments, particularly where responsibility for machinery safety is shared across teams.

A practical, proportionate approach to PUWER compliance

When delivered effectively, PUWER assessor training supports practical understanding, meaningful engagement, and long-term improvements in how work equipment risks are managed. It helps organisations move beyond checklist-based assessments and towards a more thoughtful, risk-based approach to machinery safety.

Consistent feedback over time reinforces the value of this approach, particularly where the focus is on hazard perception, balanced theory and practical learning, and developing genuine competence rather than simply covering regulatory requirements.

Nova Vita Goes Green

Tue, 23 May 2023 11:56:30 GMT

Embracing Plastic-Free Training Materials

This month, at Nova Vita Health and Safety, we’ve been busy preparing for our upcoming DSEAR Awareness training for one of our clients, with over 80 delegates expected to participate.

In the midst of our preparations, we saw an opportunity to make a positive environmental change. While we considered the idea of printing with white font on white paper to reduce our impact on the environment, we ultimately opted for plastic-free training materials as a meaningful yet feasible step.

This not only reduces plastic waste but also allows us to share our commitment to sustainability with a wide audience and might even (you never know!) inspire others to follow suit.

Switching to plastic-free training materials also brings practical benefits. These materials are more compact and take up significantly less space, making logistics more streamlined and efficient.

We understand that even small changes can make a significant difference, and we remain committed to exploring further opportunities for reducing our ecological footprint.

Enhancing Environmental Management

Sun, 21 May 2023 19:16:42 GMT

Celebrating our Lead Consultant's NEBOSH National Diploma in Environmental Management

At Nova Vita Health and Safety, we are pleased to announce another achievement within our team. Our lead consultant has recently obtained his NEBOSH Environmental Diploma, further strengthening our commitment to environmental practices and management.

The NEBOSH National Diploma in Environmental Management is an internationally recognized qualification offered by the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) . It is specifically designed for professionals who want to further develop their knowledge and expertise in environmental management and sustainability practices.

It covers a wide range of topics, including environmental legislation, risk assessment, and sustainable resource management.

Environmental management plays a crucial role in today's world, where businesses face increasing pressure to minimize their ecological footprint. Effective environmental management enables organizations to identify and mitigate risks, achieve regulatory compliance, reduce waste generation, conserve resources, and improve overall sustainability performance.

By partnering with Nova Vita Health and Safety, you can receive environmental consulting services tailored to your specific needs. We will collaborate with you to identify areas where you can reduce your environmental impact, conserve resources, and promote circular economy principles. We will offer advice and guidance on how to implement effective strategies to minimize environmental liabilities and enhance sustainability performance.

At Nova Vita Health and Safety, we believe in the importance of creating a sustainable future for generations to come. Together with our clients, we can work towards building a greener, more resilient world, step-by-step minimizing environmental impact, promoting circular economy principles, and embracing eco-friendly practices.

CDM: Importance of Perimeter Security in Construction Sites: Lessons from a Tragic Incident

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 12:34:09 GMT

Reflecting on a recent case and the need for regular inspections and prompt actions to prevent accidents and promote H&S culture

Recently, the HSE shared details of a case where a Scottish civil engineering contractor was fined £800,000 for the death of a 10-year-old boy who fell down an un-covered manhole on a building site in July 2020 ( Construction company fined £800,000 after death of 10-year-old boy | HSE Media Centre ).

While there have been various discussions around this case, my first thoughts go out to the boy's family and friends.

As someone who has completed NEBOSH Diploma, I know that there is a duty to secure and prevent access to construction sites under the Occupiers Liability Act 1984 . In this case, the area being worked on was adjacent to residential areas and it is evident from the published photos that the perimeter fencing was in a poor state of repair. We must understand that children and members of the public are often attracted to construction sites due to their perceived novelty and adventure. In the past, there have been similar cases, such as Herrington V British Rail Board 1972 , where a six-year-old boy was electrocuted after wandering onto a live railway line through a damaged fence from an adjoining play park.

It is for this reason that one of the first checks we as H&S consultants complete for our CDM clients is a perimeter walk to check the integrity of the perimeter. It is very easy with the day-to-day operations for fences to become damaged with heavy plant and materials being moved around. With sites often being “dynamic” the fences must be adjusted and moved. Gaps can form, as such regular inspections with prompt action to fill / repair fences is important. We also ask our clients to enclose and put secondary fencing around their ground penetrations / open trenches etc. this not only provides a secondary means of protection in case of un-invited people getting on site, bit it also provides protection to your workforce. Setting such base line standards help to send the message and establish a good H&S culture.

We have come a long way since the introduction of Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 was introduced, with advancement of how we look after people, but we still have a lot of work to get the culture of a many trades and companies to not just do the bits we now accept as what we must do, but to also understand why we do it and give it the priority it needs.

IOSH Managing Safely Training in March 2023

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 11:45:41 GMT

Delivering Training to Small Groups for Big Results

We are thrilled to share the exciting news of our recent IOSH Managing Safely training program, which took place from 27-29 March 2023, in March, Cambridgeshire.

Though our group of delegates was small, we believe in going above and beyond to provide exceptional customer service, so we held the training as planned for our 3 delegates. Being a part of a small group provides delegates with multiple benefits , including more opportunities to ask questions, share ideas and participate in discussions. A smaller group can be more flexible, allowing the trainer to adjust the pace and content of the training as needed to suit the needs of the delegates.

We are delighted to report that all of our delegates passed the test with flying colours and produced outstanding projects. It is with great pride that we can confidently say our pass rate carries on being 100%. We couldn't be happier with the outcome and are looking forward to posting out the well-deserved IOSH certificates to our successful delegates.

At our company, we are passionate about delivering high-quality training that equips our delegates with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in their roles. We firmly believe that even a small group can have a big impact, and we are grateful for the opportunity to provide training that makes a difference.

Thank you to our delegates for their commitment to learning and growing, and for trusting us to deliver a top-notch IOSH Managing Safely training program. We are honoured to have played a part in their success and look forward to serving them and others in the future.

Classroom Training - IOSH Managing Safely in September 21

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 12:43:49 GMT

Face-to-face training to offer in September 21 to our IOSH Managing Safely Delegates

Hey everyone,

we are so happy, albeit cautious, to tell everyone that we are doing face-to-face training again and planning on seeing delegates on our open class IOSH Managing Safely training in September (provided we are allowed then) in Wisbech.

It's been so long since we could do it in the groups in the classes! And although online training is a good option for many reasons, being able to see your classmates and share your views and experience, learn something new not just from the books but from each other - is invaluable.

Face-to-face training is not only about new skills and certificates, it is also about connection, networking. And didn't we miss it?!

We, here at Nova Vita, certainly did.

Looking forward to seeing you soon.

Nova Vita

Permits to work

Thu, 25 Mar 2021 12:02:52 GMT

“Your new permit book looks like it’s been in a battle, and it’s been only a month since you got them. Maybe we need to find a new printing company?” my partner said recently.

But if the issuing permits done correctly - on site at the point of use, where you can assess the actual hazards and that controls and isolations are in place, and not from the comfort of the cosy, dry and warm office, then that’s how they inevitably end up looking, regardless of the book quality.

Sure, you can reinforce the backs and spines, use some protective covers, but with the life span of few weeks for most permit books, before you need a new one, anyway, you can find a better use for your time.

What permitting method you have used to control hazards and risks for site works that works for you?

CDM Project completed on time and without any injuries

183:784574763 (Aliona Matthews) — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 13:28:28 GMT

Another project, where Nova Vita undertook a role of an independent third-party CDM Advisor, was competed on time and did not add to any injury statistics.

Our customer AJS Control & Automation have just successfully completed another turnkey project for one of their key customers in the FMCG sector, where they undertook the role of principal contractor and appointed us - Nova Vita, as an independent third-party CDM Advisor to ensure CDM and general H&S compliance throughout.

From the planning stages and through to the execution of the project, we aided in compiling and distributing PCI and CPP, prepared and delivered CDM site inductions, workplace inspections and permit issue and provided exceptional (as AJS have put it) contractor control on site. Nova Vita facilitated communication and co-operation between client and contractors. This allowed the project to run smoothly with project handover being on time and no injuries.

“I feel our customer has not only had effective management of the site from a safety perspective but also overall leadership of program and work streams. This in turn has created great value for money.” Said Steve Edgeley AJS Operations Director.

With the construction and manufacturing industries combined accounting for around 49% of fatal injuries to workers in 2019/2020 and around 127 000 non-fatal injuries at work each year, I am pleased to say that the project we have just completed, did not add to any of the gruesome statistics under our watch.

IOSH Managing Safely Course, October 2019

Thu, 17 Oct 2019 12:06:04 GMT

Every end marks a new chapter. Another IOSH Managing Safely training is now finished

3 days of intensive studying, filled with new information, case studies, tips, advise, questions, quizzes, games, jokes, ideas and banter.

We were happy to meet and get to spend those 3 days with our new delegates, and feel grateful and honoured that they trusted us to do the training for them.

The group was diverse, with their unique experiences, requirements and expectations - supervisors, H&S managers, directors, coming from Health Services and Air Ambulance, Manufacturing, Construction and Retail. One thing was in common – they and their companies care about the Health and Safety and want to do things right.

Now the exam is done. We are waiting for the projects to be completed by the delegates and sent over to us for marking.

Will Nova Vita retain the right to claim that all of our delegates always passed? We will soon find out. In the meantime, we hope that they all feel more confident and competent to perform their roles and tasks, doing risk assessments, investigating incidents (which hopefully will never turn into accidents) and using the appropriate control measures to prevent hazardous events from happening.

Now off to Swindon to deliver another training.

Is IOSH Managing Safely Course for me?

Thu, 12 Sep 2019 09:16:02 GMT

Have you just started in a new role where you have Health and Safety responsibilities, but you haven’t got any H&S qualification?
Do you want to learn more about Health and Safety and your own H&S responsibilities?
Do you want to improve safety awareness and help with the Health and Safety culture at your workplace?
Are you managing employees on-site?
Is IOSH Managing Safely Certification a role requirement?
Do you simply want to feel more qualified to carry out your role?

Whatever are the reasons for you to look at attending the IOSH Managing Safely course, you might be asking yourself, is it the right training for me? So, let’s see, what does Managing Safely Course offer.

The course was developed by IOSH, the Chartered body and largest membership organisation for health and safety professionals . As they say it: "Managing Safely, the market-leading health and safety course for line managers, is tried, tested and trusted."

It introduces general principles of Health and Safety at work and safety management and provides the essential health and safety tools, which can be used at work to carry out H&S duties.

For over 25 years the group of approved training providers have been delivering this course in the UK (and worldwide).

Whether the course is delivered at one of our training venues or at your site, over 3 days, you will have a chance to:

• discuss the importance of managing safely,
• identify your responsibilities and accountabilities,
• learn about risks and hazards,
• practice doing risk assessments in a form provided, using risk matrix and 5 step risk assessment process,
• find out what hierarchy of risk control is and how to use it to manage the risks,
• learn how the law (criminal and civil) works in relations to health and safety,
• get an overview of a health and safety management system and benefits its implementing can bring to your organisation,
• learn about incidents, accidents, near misses,
• discuss why and how you need to investigate and report incidents and practice doing it with the forms provided,
• talk about health and safety performance and proactive and reactive types of performance measurements.

To aid you with your study, you will be provided with the IOSH Managing Safely workbook, revision tools, various forms and templates (you can download some of them here now), which you can use not only for the course but also at work.

Some people might feel pressure before the course to know more than they do. Please, be assured, that our instructor will take time to make you feel at ease and if needs to, explain things in different ways, providing different examples so everyone leaves the course feeling more confident, competent and knowledgeable about Health and Safety.

The course is very interactive and engaging. You will be taking parts in quizzes, group discussions, watching videos and doing practical exercises. At the end of day 3, you will sit an exam. You will also have to complete an assignment within 2 weeks of the test. Successful delegates will be awarded an internationally recognised certificate. And we are quite proud to say that 100% of our delegates passed and received their certificates.

Don’t expect to suddenly become safety experts after this course – but you will definitely get a good understanding of Health and Safety, and acquire the knowledge and tools to deal with the Health and Safety issues you’re responsible for.

Dates and locations for our IOSH Managing Safely Training

In-House Prices and Enquiry

If you still have questions about this course, contact us – choose your favourite way of communicating – message us on Facebook or LinkedIn , email us or give us a call – we will be happy to answer your questions.