Industry Guidance (INDG)
The Health and Safety Executive publishes free guidance documents to help employers understand their legal duties. We've summarised the most important ones in plain English.
Each page explains what the document covers, who needs to read it, and links directly to the official HSE publication.
Core Essentials
Foundational guidance that applies to most workplaces
Five Steps to Risk Assessment
The HSE's 5-step risk assessment process explained clearly. Identify hazards, evaluate risks, and implement controls. Includes free risk assessment tool. Required for all UK employers.
Leading Health and Safety at Work
HSE guidance for directors, trustees, governors and senior leaders on their health and safety responsibilities. Explains the 'Plan, Do, Check, Act' framework for effective safety leadership at board level.
Health and Safety Made Simple
The HSE's beginner-friendly guide to workplace health and safety for small businesses. Covers the basics of what employers must do to comply with the law, without unnecessary complexity.
Health and Safety Guide for Workers
HSE guidance explaining workers' health and safety rights and responsibilities. Jointly published with the TUC, this document tells employees what they should expect from their employer and what duties they have.
RIDDOR Reporting Guide
HSE guidance on the legal requirements for reporting workplace accidents, injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences under RIDDOR 2013. Explains what must be reported, when, and how.
Basic Advice on First Aid at Work
HSE guidance providing essential first aid procedures for workplace emergencies. Covers how to assess casualties, perform CPR, and respond to common workplace injuries. Not a substitute for proper training.
First Aid at Work: Your Questions Answered
HSE guidance answering common questions about first aid requirements at work. This document explains what first aid provision you need, who can be a first aider, and what should be in your first aid kit.
Use Lift Trucks Safely
A pocket guide for lift truck operators covering essential safety practices. This document provides quick reference guidance on safe operating procedures, load handling, and working around pedestrians.
Landlords & Property
Essential guidance for landlords and property managers
Legionella Guide for Dutyholders
HSE's essential leaflet explaining legionella risks and control duties for employers, landlords, and those in control of premises with water systems. A practical starting point for understanding your legal obligations.
Electrical Safety and You
HSE's basic guide to electrical safety in the workplace. Covers the main hazards of working with electricity, how to assess risks, and practical steps to reduce danger. Essential reading for anyone responsible for workplace electrical safety.
Maintaining Portable Electrical Equipment
HSE's practical guide to maintaining portable electrical equipment in low-risk environments. Explains what PAT testing really requires, dispels common myths about annual testing, and provides sensible maintenance schedules for offices, shops, and similar premises.
L8: Legionella Control in Water Systems (ACOP)
The Approved Code of Practice for legionella control in the UK. This is the key legal document for anyone responsible for water systems. Following L8 gives you a strong defence in law and sets out exactly what dutyholders must do to prevent Legionnaires' disease.
Using Electrical Storage Batteries Safely
HSE guidance on safe use of electrical storage batteries in the workplace. Covers chemical, electrical, and explosion hazards associated with battery charging, handling, and storage, plus ventilation and protective equipment requirements.
Workplace Safety
Slips, trips, falls, and general workplace hazards
Working with Display Screen Equipment (DSE)
HSE guidance on protecting workers who use computers, laptops, and other display screen equipment. Covers employer duties under the DSE Regulations 1992, workstation assessments, and practical controls for eye strain, posture, and musculoskeletal problems.
Working Alone: Health and Safety Guidance
HSE guidance on protecting lone workers who carry out tasks without close or direct supervision. Covers risk assessment, violence prevention, communication systems, and employer duties for staff who work alone.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at Work: A Brief Guide
HSE guidance on the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992. Covers when PPE is required, how to select the right equipment, employer duties for provision and maintenance, and training requirements for PPE use.
Preventing Slips and Trips at Work
HSE guidance on preventing slips, trips, and falls - the leading cause of workplace injury in the UK. Covers risk assessment, floor surfaces, contamination control, housekeeping, footwear, and practical low-cost solutions.
Consulting Employees on Health and Safety
HSE guidance on employer duties to consult workers on health and safety matters. Covers the legal requirements under the Safety Representatives Regulations and the Consultation with Employees Regulations, and how to involve your workforce effectively.
Written Schemes of Examination: Pressure Systems
HSE guidance on written schemes of examination under the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000. Explains legal duties for owners and users of pressure systems including boilers, compressors, and pressurised vessels.
Stress & Wellbeing
Managing workplace stress, violence, and employee wellbeing
How to Tackle Work-related Stress
HSE guidance on identifying and managing work-related stress. Explains the Management Standards approach and practical steps employers can take to prevent stress-related ill health.
Violence at Work: A Guide for Employers
HSE guidance on preventing and managing work-related violence and aggression. Covers risk assessment, control measures, and support for employees who face threats, abuse, or physical attacks in their work.
Drug Misuse at Work: A Guide for Employers
HSE guidance on managing drug misuse in the workplace. Covers employer responsibilities, developing a drugs policy, recognising problems, and supporting employees while maintaining workplace safety.
Don't Mix It! A Guide for Employers on Alcohol at Work
HSE guidance for employers on managing alcohol-related problems in the workplace. Covers the risks of alcohol misuse, your legal duties, and practical steps for developing an alcohol policy that protects both workers and your business.
Hazardous Substances
Managing fire risks and dangerous substances
A Brief Guide to COSHH
An introductory guide to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations. This document explains how to identify hazardous substances in your workplace and take practical steps to protect your employees from harm.
Safe Working with Flammable Substances
Practical guidance on preventing fires and explosions when working with flammable materials. This document covers storage, handling, and control measures for petrol, solvents, gases, and other flammable substances commonly found in workplaces.
Leptospirosis: Are You at Risk?
HSE guidance on leptospirosis infection risks in the workplace. This document explains how workers can contract leptospirosis, who is most at risk, and the practical steps to prevent infection.
Pushing and Pulling Risk Assessment
A practical tool for identifying high-risk pushing and pulling operations in the workplace. Covers wheeled equipment like trolleys and pump trucks, and non-wheeled operations including dragging, sliding, and rolling loads.
Manual Handling & Ergonomics
Safe lifting, carrying, and workstation setup
Manual Handling at Work: A Brief Guide
HSE guidance on the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992. Covers risk assessment using TILE, safe handling principles, and practical controls to prevent back injuries and musculoskeletal disorders from lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling at work.
Managing Upper Limb Disorders in the Workplace
A practical guide for employers on identifying, preventing, and managing upper limb disorders (ULDs) affecting shoulders, arms, wrists, hands, fingers, and neck. Includes a simple filter to identify low-risk tasks and guidance on risk management strategies.
Making Best Use of Lifting and Handling Aids
A brief guide for managers and employees on selecting appropriate lifting and handling aids to reduce manual handling injury risks. Covers practical considerations for choosing equipment that effectively supports workers.
Ergonomics and Human Factors Guide
HSE guidance on applying ergonomics and human factors principles in the workplace. Covers practical solutions for common ergonomic challenges to improve health, safety, and productivity.
Manual Handling Assessment Charts (MAC Tool)
A practical assessment tool for identifying high-risk manual handling activities in the workplace. Uses numerical scoring and colour coding to help employers evaluate lifting, carrying, and team handling tasks and prioritise improvements.
Vibration & Noise
Controlling exposure to vibration and noise at work
Hand-Arm Vibration at Work
A brief guide explaining the health risks from regular use of vibrating tools and equipment, including hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) and carpal tunnel syndrome. Covers employer duties under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005.
Control Back-Pain Risks from Whole-Body Vibration
Guidance for employers on reducing back pain risks in workers who drive off-road vehicles or operate machinery. Explains duties under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 and practical measures to reduce whole-body vibration exposure.
Chainsaws at Work
HSE guidance on safe use of portable chainsaws in the workplace. Covers operator competency, personal protective equipment, training requirements, and safe working practices for tree felling and other chainsaw operations.
Work Equipment & Electrical
Safe use of work equipment and electrical safety
Providing and Using Work Equipment Safely
A brief guide for employers on their duties under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER). Covers equipment scope, safeguarding, maintenance, inspection, training requirements, and specific rules for mobile equipment and power presses.
Using Work Equipment Safely
A summary of the main requirements under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER). Explains how to reduce risks from work equipment including machinery, tools, and other equipment used at work.
Do You Use a Steam/Water Pressure Cleaner?
HSE guidance on electrical safety when using steam and water pressure cleaners. Covers electrical hazards, protective equipment, and daily checks to prevent shocks and injuries from this common cleaning equipment.
Respiratory Sensitisers and COSHH
HSE guidance on managing respiratory sensitisers in the workplace under COSHH. Explains what respiratory sensitisers are, how they cause occupational asthma, and the steps employers must take to protect workers from these hazardous substances.
Keep Your Top On: Health Risks from Working in the Sun
HSE guidance on protecting outdoor workers from sun exposure and UV radiation. Covers skin cancer risks, protective measures, and employer duties for those who work outside in sunny conditions.
Electrical Switchgear and Safety
HSE guidance for owners and users of electrical switchgear in industrial and commercial settings. Covers selection, use, care and maintenance of high-voltage equipment including circuit breakers and switches.
Transport & Working at Height
Workplace transport safety and working at height
Workplace Transport Safety
A practical guide to reducing transport-related accidents in the workplace. This document helps employers identify hazards from vehicle operations and put controls in place to protect workers, drivers, and pedestrians.
Working at Height: A Brief Guide
HSE guidance on working at height safely. Explains employer duties under the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and practical steps to prevent falls, the biggest cause of workplace fatalities.
Safe Use of Ladders and Stepladders
Essential guidance on when and how to use ladders and stepladders safely at work. Covers selection, inspection, safe use techniques, and understanding when a ladder is the right choice. Falls from ladders cause thousands of injuries each year.
INDG344: Construction Health & Safety Toolkit
A practical checklist and guidance document for small construction contractors. Covers the main health and safety hazards on construction sites and how to manage or avoid them, helping protect workers, clients, and the public.
Inspecting Fall Arrest Equipment
Guidance on how to inspect fall arrest equipment including harnesses, lanyards, and rope-based systems. This document helps employers establish effective inspection regimes to identify wear, damage, and defects before equipment fails.
Specialist & High-Risk
Guidance for high-risk activities and specialist operations
Confined Spaces: A Brief Guide to Working Safely
HSE guidance on working safely in confined spaces. Covers the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997, hazard identification, safe systems of work, and emergency rescue procedures.
Guide for Construction Clients
HSE guidance for anyone having construction or building work carried out. Explains your legal duties as a client under CDM 2015 and how to ensure your project is safe.
Working Safely with Ionising Radiation
HSE guidance for employees working with ionising radiation. Explains your responsibilities, the precautions you should take, and what your employer must do to protect you from radiation exposure.
About HSE Publications
INDG (Industry Guidance) documents are free leaflets published by the Health and Safety Executive. They provide practical guidance on specific topics and are regularly updated to reflect current regulations and best practice.
All documents link to the official HSE website. Our summaries help you understand which documents are relevant to your situation, but you should always refer to the official HSE publication for complete guidance.