You’re legally required to keep your people safe, full stop. That means identifying risks, putting sensible controls in place, and making sure everyone knows what’s expected. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is the backbone, but it’s not about ticking boxes, it’s about creating a culture where safety is second nature.

No, but they help. ISO standards like 9001, 14001 and 45001 aren’t mandatory, but they show clients and regulators you’re serious about doing things properly. Think of them as a structured way to prove you’re not just winging it, and they often open doors to bigger contracts.

At least once a year, or whenever something changes, new kit, new process, new people. It’s not a one-and-done document. Keep it live, keep it relevant, and make sure it reflects what’s actually happening on the shop floor.

Keep it simple, keep it regular. Toolbox talks, short videos, hands-on demos, whatever works for your team. The key is consistency. Don’t wait for an incident to realise someone didn’t understand the procedure.

Start small. Track your waste, energy use, and emissions. Know what regs apply to your business (like COSHH or WEEE), and build from there. You don’t need a sustainability department, just a plan, some ownership, and a bit of support from people who know the ropes.

Fines, enforcement notices, court appearances, and that’s before you get to the reputational damage. But it’s not just about avoiding trouble. Good compliance protects your people, your product, and your profit.

You can outsource the support, but not the responsibility. Consultants (like DBIM) can help you build systems, train staff, and stay on top of changes, but the legal duty still sits with you. We’re here to make it easier, not to take the fall.

Evidence. Policies, procedures, training records, audits, incident logs, all tidy, up-to-date, and easy to find. If you can show it, you’re halfway there. If you can explain it, even better.

A policy says what you believe in. A procedure says how you do it. One sets the direction, the other maps the route. You need both, but they should be written for humans, not lawyers.

You don’t have to read the HSE website every night. Subscribe to updates, join industry groups, and work with partners who keep an eye on the horizon. At DBIM, we make sure our clients know what’s coming, and what it means for them.

It starts at the top. If leadership treats QHSE as a tick-box exercise, the rest of the business will too. But when managers walk the talk, asking questions, showing up to audits, backing safety decisions, it sets the tone. Compliance isn’t just about rules; it’s about culture. And culture starts with who’s in charge.

Make it relevant. Don’t drown people in paperwork or PowerPoint. Use real examples, ask for their input, and show how QHSE protects what matters, their health, their job, their mates. A bit of humour helps too. If it feels like common sense, they’ll buy in. If it feels like bureaucracy, they’ll switch off.