Common Workplace Hazards And Control Measures In The United Kingdom
Hazard | Typical Control Measures | Responsible Role | Indicative Risk Level | Relevant Manual Document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
General Workplace, Office, Retail, Warehouse, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Care Setting | ||||
Slips, trips and falls on the same level | Good housekeeping, suitable flooring, prompt spill clean-up, cable management, adequate lighting and footwear controls. | Employer Manager Supervisor Employee | Medium | Housekeeping and Slips, Trips and Falls Policy Workplace Inspection Checklist |
General Workplace, Retail, Warehouse, Construction, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Care Setting | ||||
Manual handling of loads | Avoid lifting where possible, assess tasks, use mechanical aids, reduce load weight, team lift and train staff. | Employer Manager Supervisor Employee | Medium | Manual Handling Policy Manual Handling Risk Assessment Form |
Office, General Workplace | ||||
Display screen equipment use | Workstation assessments, adjustable equipment, screen breaks, eyesight tests where required and user training. | Employer Manager Employee Competent Person | Low | DSE Policy Workstation Assessment Checklist |
General Workplace, Office, Retail, Warehouse, Construction, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Care Setting | ||||
Work-related stress | Assess demands, control, support, relationships, role and change act on concerns and train managers. | Employer Director Manager Employee Health and Safety Representative | Medium | Stress Management Policy Wellbeing Risk Assessment |
Workplace fire | Fire risk assessment, alarm and detection, clear exits, extinguishers, drills, emergency plan and staff training. | Employer Director Manager Competent Person | High | Fire Safety Policy Fire Risk Assessment Emergency Plan |
Electrical shock or burns | Maintain installations, inspect portable equipment, isolate before work, use RCDs and restrict live work. | Employer Manager Competent Person Employee | High | Electrical Safety Policy PAT Register Isolation Procedure |
General Workplace, Retail, Warehouse, Construction, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Care Setting | ||||
Hazardous substances exposure | COSHH assessment, substitution, enclosure, ventilation, safe storage, PPE, health surveillance and training. | Employer Manager Supervisor Competent Person Employee | High | COSHH Policy COSHH Assessment Chemical Inventory |
Working at height | Avoid height work, use collective protection, select suitable equipment, inspect platforms and train workers. | Employer Manager Supervisor Competent Person Employee | High | Working at Height Policy Ladder Register Scaffold Inspection Record |
Ladder and stepladder use | Use only for short low-risk work, secure and inspect ladders, maintain three points of contact and train users. | Manager Supervisor Employee Competent Person | Medium | Ladder Safety Procedure Ladder Inspection Checklist |
Warehouse, Construction, Manufacturing, Retail, General Workplace | ||||
Falling objects | Secure tools and materials, exclude people below, use toe boards, netting, helmets and storage controls. | Employer Manager Supervisor Employee | High | Working at Height Policy Site Housekeeping Checklist |
Warehouse, Construction, Manufacturing, Retail, Hospitality, Care Setting | ||||
Workplace transport movements | Segregate pedestrians and vehicles, marked routes, speed limits, banksmen, lighting and vehicle maintenance. | Employer Manager Supervisor Employee | High | Workplace Transport Policy Traffic Management Plan |
Warehouse, Manufacturing, Retail, Construction | ||||
Forklift truck operation | Authorised trained operators, pre-use checks, pedestrian segregation, speed control, load limits and maintenance. | Employer Manager Supervisor Employee Competent Person | High | Lift Truck Procedure FLT Pre-Use Checklist Training Register |
Warehouse, Construction, Manufacturing, Retail, Hospitality | ||||
Reversing vehicles | Avoid reversing, use one-way systems, banksmen, reversing aids, exclusion zones and clear visibility. | Manager Supervisor Employee Competent Person | High | Traffic Management Plan Vehicle Movement Risk Assessment |
Warehouse, Retail, Manufacturing | ||||
Racking and storage collapse | Load limits, correct installation, impact protection, regular inspections, defect reporting and safe stacking. | Employer Manager Supervisor Competent Person Employee | High | Racking Inspection Register Warehouse Safety Procedure |
Manufacturing, Warehouse, Construction, Hospitality | ||||
Machinery entanglement or crushing | Guard dangerous parts, interlocks, emergency stops, isolation, maintenance, training and supervision. | Employer Manager Supervisor Competent Person Employee | High | PUWER Policy Machine Risk Assessment Lock-Off Procedure |
General Workplace, Warehouse, Construction, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Care Setting | ||||
Hand tool injuries | Use suitable tools, inspect before use, maintain sharp edges safely, store securely and provide PPE. | Manager Supervisor Employee | Medium | Work Equipment Policy Tool Inspection Checklist |
Construction, Manufacturing, Warehouse | ||||
Abrasive wheel use | Competent mounting, correct wheel selection, guards, eye protection, speed checks and training. | Employer Manager Supervisor Competent Person Employee | High | Abrasive Wheels Procedure Training Register |
Construction, Manufacturing, Warehouse, Hospitality | ||||
Excessive noise exposure | Noise assessment, quieter equipment, engineering controls, hearing protection zones and health surveillance. | Employer Manager Supervisor Competent Person Employee | Medium | Noise at Work Policy Noise Assessment PPE Register |
Construction, Manufacturing, Warehouse | ||||
Hand-arm vibration | Avoid or reduce exposure, choose low-vibration tools, maintain tools, limit trigger time and health surveillance. | Employer Manager Supervisor Competent Person Employee | Medium | Vibration Policy HAVS Exposure Log Health Surveillance Record |
Construction, Warehouse, Manufacturing | ||||
Whole-body vibration | Select suitable vehicles, maintain seats and surfaces, reduce speed, limit exposure and plan routes. | Employer Manager Supervisor Employee | Medium | Vibration Policy Plant and Vehicle Inspection Record |
General Workplace, Office, Retail, Warehouse, Construction, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Care Setting | ||||
Asbestos-containing materials | Asbestos survey, register, management plan, labelling, trained contractors and prevent disturbance. | Employer Director Manager Competent Person | High | Asbestos Management Plan Asbestos Register Contractor Control Procedure |
Construction, Manufacturing | ||||
Respirable crystalline silica dust | Avoid dry cutting, use water suppression or extraction, RPE, exposure control and health surveillance. | Employer Manager Supervisor Competent Person Employee | High | COSHH Assessment Dust Control Procedure RPE Face-Fit Record |
Manufacturing, Construction, Warehouse | ||||
Wood dust | Local exhaust ventilation, vacuum cleaning, suitable RPE, exposure monitoring and health surveillance. | Employer Manager Supervisor Competent Person Employee | High | COSHH Assessment LEV Maintenance Record Health Surveillance Record |
Welding fume exposure | Local exhaust ventilation, suitable RPE, fume extraction, worker training and health surveillance where needed. | Employer Manager Supervisor Competent Person Employee | High | Welding Safety Procedure COSHH Assessment LEV Examination Record |
Construction, Manufacturing, Warehouse, Hospitality, Care Setting | ||||
Confined spaces | Avoid entry, permit-to-work, atmospheric testing, ventilation, rescue plan, communications and training. | Employer Manager Supervisor Competent Person Employee | High | Confined Space Procedure Permit-To-Work Rescue Plan |
General Workplace, Office, Retail, Warehouse, Construction, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Care Setting | ||||
Lone working | Lone worker risk assessment, check-in system, emergency arrangements, communication devices and escalation procedure. | Employer Manager Supervisor Employee | Medium | Lone Working Policy Lone Worker Risk Assessment |
Retail, Hospitality, Care Setting, Office, General Workplace | ||||
Workplace violence and aggression | Assess risk, staff training, conflict management, reporting, staffing levels, security measures and support. | Employer Manager Supervisor Employee Health and Safety Representative | Medium | Violence and Aggression Policy Incident Report Form |
General Workplace, Office, Retail, Warehouse, Construction, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Care Setting | ||||
Inadequate first aid provision | First aid needs assessment, trained first aiders, stocked kits, appointed persons and clear reporting arrangements. | Employer Manager Competent Person | Medium | First Aid Policy First Aid Needs Assessment Accident Book |
Poor accident reporting and investigation | Accident book, investigation process, RIDDOR reporting, corrective actions, trend review and staff awareness. | Employer Manager Supervisor Competent Person | Medium | Accident Reporting Procedure Investigation Form RIDDOR Log |
General Workplace, Retail, Warehouse, Construction, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Care Setting | ||||
Unsuitable or unused PPE | Select suitable PPE, provide free of charge, fit-test where needed, train users, inspect and replace. | Employer Manager Supervisor Employee | Medium | PPE Policy PPE Issue Register RPE Face-Fit Record |
General Workplace, Office, Retail, Warehouse, Construction, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Care Setting | ||||
Inadequate welfare facilities | Provide toilets, washing facilities, drinking water, rest areas, changing facilities and suitable temperature. | Employer Manager Director | Low | Workplace Welfare Policy Premises Inspection Checklist |
Poor lighting | Provide suitable task lighting, maintain fittings, control glare, inspect emergency lighting and report defects. | Employer Manager Supervisor Employee | Low | Workplace Inspection Checklist Premises Maintenance Log |
Uncomfortable workplace temperature | Assess thermal comfort, provide heating or cooling, ventilation, breaks, clothing guidance and drinking water. | Employer Manager Supervisor Employee | Low | Workplace Welfare Policy Thermal Comfort Risk Assessment |
Construction, Manufacturing, Warehouse, Hospitality, General Workplace | ||||
Hot work fire risk | Hot work permit, remove combustibles, fire watch, extinguishers, gas isolation and post-work checks. | Employer Manager Supervisor Competent Person Employee | High | Hot Work Permit Fire Safety Procedure Contractor Control Form |
Hospitality, Care Setting, Office, Retail, General Workplace | ||||
Gas leaks and unsafe gas appliances | Use Gas Safe registered engineers, maintain appliances, ensure ventilation, fit detection where needed and emergency procedure. | Employer Director Manager Competent Person | High | Gas Safety Procedure Maintenance Register Emergency Plan |
General Workplace, Office, Retail, Warehouse, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Care Setting | ||||
Legionella bacteria in water systems | Water risk assessment, temperature control, flushing, cleaning, monitoring and competent water management. | Employer Director Manager Competent Person | Medium | Legionella Control Procedure Water Hygiene Log Book |
Care Setting, Hospitality, General Workplace, Office, Retail | ||||
Biological agents and infection | Infection control procedures, hand hygiene, cleaning, vaccination where relevant, PPE and safe waste disposal. | Employer Manager Supervisor Employee Competent Person | Medium | Infection Control Policy COSHH Biological Agents Assessment |
Care Setting, Hospitality, Retail, General Workplace | ||||
Sharps injuries | Avoid sharps where possible, safer sharps, approved bins, no recapping, training and post-exposure procedure. | Employer Manager Supervisor Employee Competent Person | High | Sharps Policy Needlestick Incident Procedure Clinical Waste Procedure |
Care Setting, Hospitality, Retail, Manufacturing, Construction, General Workplace | ||||
Hazardous or clinical waste | Segregate waste, label containers, use licensed disposal, train staff, prevent leaks and provide PPE. | Employer Manager Supervisor Employee Competent Person | Medium | Waste Management Procedure COSHH Assessment Waste Transfer Records |
Hospitality, Care Setting, Retail | ||||
Food contamination | Food safety management, temperature control, cleaning, allergen controls, pest control and staff hygiene training. | Employer Manager Supervisor Employee Competent Person | High | Food Safety Policy HACCP Records Cleaning Schedule |
Hospitality, Retail, Care Setting | ||||
Food allergen exposure | Identify allergens, provide accurate information, prevent cross-contact, train staff and review recipes. | Employer Manager Supervisor Employee Competent Person | High | Allergen Management Procedure Menu Allergen Matrix Training Record |
Hospitality, Retail, Care Setting, Manufacturing | ||||
Knife cuts | Use suitable knives, maintain sharp blades, safe storage, cut-resistant PPE where needed and training. | Manager Supervisor Employee | Medium | Kitchen Safety Procedure Knife Safety Training Record |
Hospitality, Care Setting, Manufacturing, Retail | ||||
Burns and scalds | Guard hot surfaces, safe systems for hot liquids, temperature controls, PPE, signage and training. | Manager Supervisor Employee | Medium | Kitchen Safety Procedure Hot Surfaces Risk Assessment |
General Workplace, Office, Retail, Warehouse, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Care Setting | ||||
Cleaning chemical exposure | COSHH assessments, correct dilution, labels, storage segregation, ventilation, PPE and never mix chemicals. | Manager Supervisor Employee Competent Person | Medium | COSHH Assessment Cleaning Procedure Chemical Inventory |
General Workplace, Office, Retail, Warehouse, Construction, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Care Setting | ||||
Contractor activities on site | Select competent contractors, exchange risk information, induction, permits, supervision and review method statements. | Employer Director Manager Supervisor Competent Person | Medium | Contractor Control Procedure Contractor Induction Form Permit-To-Work |
Visitors and members of the public | Reception controls, signing in, induction, segregation from hazards, supervision and emergency information. | Employer Manager Supervisor Employee | Low | Visitor Safety Procedure Site Induction Form |
Young workers | Specific risk assessment, induction, close supervision, restrict high-risk work and clear training. | Employer Manager Supervisor Competent Person | Medium | Young Worker Risk Assessment Induction Checklist |
General Workplace, Office, Retail, Warehouse, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Care Setting | ||||
New or expectant mothers | Individual risk assessment, adjust duties, control lifting, chemicals, infection, fatigue and provide rest facilities. | Employer Manager Competent Person Employee | Medium | New and Expectant Mothers Policy Individual Risk Assessment |
General Workplace, Office, Retail, Warehouse, Construction, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Care Setting | ||||
Unsafe arrangements for disabled workers | Assess individual needs, reasonable adjustments, accessible evacuation, suitable equipment and consultation. | Employer Manager Health and Safety Representative Competent Person | Medium | Disability and Safety Procedure Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan |
Office, General Workplace | ||||
Home working risks | Home workstation assessment, equipment provision, communication, stress checks and electrical safety guidance. | Employer Manager Employee | Low | Home Working Policy DSE Self-Assessment Lone Working Procedure |
General Workplace, Office, Retail, Warehouse, Construction, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Care Setting | ||||
Driving for work | Driver checks, journey planning, vehicle maintenance, fatigue control, mobile phone rules and incident reporting. | Employer Manager Supervisor Employee | High | Driving for Work Policy Vehicle Inspection Checklist Driver Declaration |
General Workplace, Retail, Warehouse, Construction, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Care Setting | ||||
Fatigue from shift work or long hours | Manage rotas, rest breaks, night work risk assessment, workload planning and fatigue reporting. | Employer Manager Supervisor Employee | Medium | Fatigue Management Procedure Working Time Records |
General Workplace, Office, Retail, Warehouse, Construction, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Care Setting | ||||
Ineffective emergency evacuation | Emergency plan, clear routes, alarms, drills, assembly point, marshals and personal evacuation plans. | Employer Director Manager Supervisor Competent Person | High | Emergency Plan Fire Drill Record PEEP Form |
Manufacturing, Construction, Warehouse, Hospitality, Care Setting | ||||
Pressure systems failure | Written scheme of examination, competent inspections, maintenance, pressure relief and operator training. | Employer Manager Competent Person Employee | High | Pressure Systems Register Written Scheme of Examination Maintenance Log |
Warehouse, Construction, Manufacturing, Care Setting, Hospitality, Retail | ||||
Lifting equipment failure | Thorough examination, safe working loads, planned lifts, competent operators, pre-use checks and maintenance. | Employer Manager Supervisor Competent Person Employee | High | LOLER Register Lifting Plan Thorough Examination Record |
Care Setting | ||||
Patient hoist and sling use | Person-centred moving plan, suitable hoist and sling, LOLER checks, staff training and pre-use inspection. | Employer Manager Supervisor Employee Competent Person | High | Moving and Handling Policy Care Handling Plan Hoist Inspection Record |
Construction | ||||
Excavations and trench collapse | Avoid collapse with supports or battering, edge protection, inspections, service checks and safe access. | Employer Manager Supervisor Competent Person Employee | High | Excavation Permit Temporary Works Procedure Inspection Record |
Underground services strikes | Service drawings, CAT and Genny scan, permit to dig, trial holes, safe digging methods and supervision. | Employer Manager Supervisor Competent Person Employee | High | Permit To Dig Underground Services Checklist Method Statement |
Demolition and structural instability | Plan sequence, structural survey, exclusion zones, temporary works, dust controls and competent supervision. | Employer Director Manager Supervisor Competent Person | High | Construction Phase Plan Demolition Method Statement Temporary Works Register |
Poor construction project planning | Appoint dutyholders, plan and manage work, prepare construction phase plan and coordinate pre-construction information. | Employer Director Manager Competent Person | High | CDM Procedure Construction Phase Plan Contractor Competence Form |
Construction, General Workplace | ||||
Scaffold collapse or falls | Competent erection, handover certificate, edge protection, loading controls, inspections and access restrictions. | Employer Manager Supervisor Competent Person Employee | High | Scaffold Inspection Record Working at Height Policy Handover Certificate |
Construction, Warehouse, Manufacturing, Retail, General Workplace | ||||
Mobile elevating work platforms | Ground assessment, trained operators, pre-use checks, emergency lowering, harness policy and exclusion zones. | Employer Manager Supervisor Competent Person Employee | High | MEWP Procedure Pre-Use Checklist Rescue Plan |
Construction, General Workplace | ||||
Working near water | Prevent falls, edge protection, rescue plan, lifejackets, buoyancy aids, supervision and weather checks. | Employer Manager Supervisor Competent Person Employee | High | Working Near Water Risk Assessment Emergency Rescue Plan |
Construction, Warehouse, Manufacturing, General Workplace | ||||
Overhead power lines | Avoid work nearby, consult network operator, establish exclusion zones, goalposts, supervision and safe routes. | Employer Manager Supervisor Competent Person Employee | High | Overhead Services Risk Assessment Lift Plan Traffic Management Plan |
Warehouse, Manufacturing, Retail, Construction | ||||
Battery charging and hydrogen gas | Ventilated charging area, ignition control, spill kits, eye wash, PPE, signage and trained operators. | Employer Manager Supervisor Employee Competent Person | High | Battery Charging Procedure COSHH Assessment Emergency Spill Procedure |
Manufacturing, Construction, Warehouse, Hospitality, Retail, General Workplace | ||||
Flammable liquids and vapours | DSEAR assessment, minimise quantities, safe storage, ventilation, ignition control, spill response and training. | Employer Manager Supervisor Competent Person Employee | High | DSEAR Assessment Flammable Storage Procedure Spill Plan |
Manufacturing, Construction, Warehouse, Hospitality, Care Setting | ||||
Compressed gas cylinders | Secure upright storage, segregation, valve protection, ventilation, leak checks, trolley use and emergency procedure. | Employer Manager Supervisor Employee Competent Person | High | Gas Cylinder Procedure COSHH Assessment Storage Inspection Checklist |
Hospitality, Care Setting, Retail, Manufacturing | ||||
Wet or greasy floors | Non-slip flooring, planned cleaning, spill response, suitable footwear, drainage and warning signs only as temporary controls. | Manager Supervisor Employee | Medium | Cleaning Schedule Slip Risk Assessment Floor Inspection Checklist |
General Workplace, Office, Retail, Warehouse, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Care Setting | ||||
Falls on stairs | Maintain handrails, good lighting, high-visibility nosings, no storage, even surfaces and prompt defect repair. | Employer Manager Supervisor Employee | Medium | Premises Inspection Checklist Housekeeping Policy |
General Workplace, Office, Retail, Warehouse, Construction, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Care Setting | ||||
Obstructed walkways and exits | Keep routes clear, storage controls, routine inspections, waste removal, line marking and employee reporting. | Manager Supervisor Employee | Medium | Housekeeping Policy Workplace Inspection Checklist Fire Exit Check |
Office, Retail, Warehouse, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Care Setting | ||||
Unsafe storage at height | Store heavy items low, secure shelves, avoid overloading, provide safe access equipment and inspect storage. | Manager Supervisor Employee | Medium | Storage Safety Procedure Premises Inspection Checklist |
Office, General Workplace, Retail, Hospitality, Care Setting | ||||
Trailing cables | Route cables away from walkways, use cable covers, adequate sockets, inspections and prompt defect reporting. | Manager Supervisor Employee | Low | Office Safety Checklist Housekeeping Procedure |
General Workplace, Office, Retail, Warehouse, Construction, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Care Setting | ||||
Bullying or harassment affecting health | Clear standards, reporting routes, prompt investigation, manager training, support and monitoring of relationships. | Employer Director Manager Supervisor Employee Health and Safety Representative | Medium | Stress Management Policy Workplace Behaviour Procedure Incident Report Form |
Inadequate health and safety training | Induction, role-specific training, refresher training, supervision, competence checks and training records. | Employer Director Manager Supervisor Competent Person | Medium | Training Policy Induction Checklist Training Matrix |
Poor worker consultation on safety | Consult employees, involve representatives, safety meetings, feedback systems and communicate changes. | Employer Director Manager Health and Safety Representative Employee | Low | Consultation Policy Safety Meeting Minutes Employee Feedback Form |
Unsuitable or missing risk assessments | Identify hazards, assess who may be harmed, record controls, implement actions and review after change. | Employer Director Manager Competent Person | High | Risk Assessment Procedure General Risk Assessment Form Action Tracker |
What Hazards Should A UK Health And Safety Manual Cover?
A useful UK health and safety manual should not only cover obvious high-risk activities such as working at height, machinery, asbestos and workplace transport, but also routine hazards such as slips, manual handling, display screen equipment, stress, fire, lone working and workplace violence. These hazards appear across offices, retail, hospitality, warehouses, care settings, construction and manufacturing, so the manual should include both general policies and task-specific risk assessment forms.
Which Controls Are Most Important For UK Employers?
- Risk assessment is the organising duty: most hazards in the dataset require a suitable and sufficient risk assessment under UK health and safety law, with findings translated into safe systems of work, training, supervision and inspection records.
- High-risk topics need named procedures: work at height, asbestos, COSHH substances, fire, machinery, lifting operations, electrical work and confined spaces should normally have dedicated manual sections, permits, registers or inspection checklists.
- Low-risk workplaces still need documented controls: offices and retail premises commonly need DSE assessments, housekeeping checks, fire precautions, manual handling guidance, stress procedures and accident reporting arrangements.
- Competence and supervision matter: many controls depend on managers, supervisors or competent persons ensuring employees are trained, equipment is maintained and controls such as PPE, guarding, ventilation and traffic segregation are actually used.
How Should This Dataset Inform A Health And Safety Manual?
The dataset supports a practical manual structure: start with core policies for risk assessment, consultation, training, accidents, emergency arrangements and monitoring; then add hazard-specific sections for the work actually undertaken. For UK use, forms such as COSHH assessments, fire risk assessments, DSE checklists, manual handling assessments, working at height inspections and PUWER/LOLER records are especially useful because they convert legal duties into auditable workplace documents.

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