Health and Safety
This webpage outlines key health and safety requirements for practices. It is not exhaustive but provides a structured framework across five core areas:
Governance & Compliance
Controlled Drugs
Key Requirements
- Assign a named clinical lead
- Maintain and enforce policies and procedures
- Regularly review storage and record-keeping
Resources
COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health)
Key Requirements
- Maintain an inventory of all substances
- Identify hazardous substances (check labels)
- Eliminate or substitute where possible
- Obtain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
- Complete COSHH risk assessments (use-specific)
- Ensure assessments completed by a competent person
- Make assessments accessible to staff
- Review assessments regularly
- Obtain contractor COSHH documentation where applicable
Resources
CQC & Regulatory Oversight
Key Requirements
- Comply with CQC standards for safety
- Be aware that HSE and local authorities may also inspect
- Maintain documentation to demonstrate compliance
Infection Prevention & Control
Key Requirements
- Assign a named clinical lead (e.g. Lead Nurse)
- Ensure staff training is current
- Implement infection control procedures (e.g. hand hygiene)
- Audit compliance regularly
Resources
RIDDOR Reporting
Report the following:
- Employee injuries causing >7 days absence
- Specified serious injuries (immediate reporting)
- Public injuries requiring hospital treatment
Key Requirements
- Understand reporting thresholds
- Maintain incident records
- Report within required timeframes
Resources
Risk Assessments
Key Requirements
- Ensure assessments are “suitable and sufficient”
- Completed by a competent person
- Accessible to relevant staff
- Review:
- Regularly (set schedule)
- After incidents
- When staff, equipment, or premises change
Resources
Emergency Preparedness
Business Continuity Planning
Key Requirements
- Maintain a documented continuity plan (e.g. fire, flood, pandemic)
- Store copies both on-site and off-site
- Ensure all staff are aware of the plan
- Keep contact/access list updated
- Review and update regularly
Resources
- NHS England » Business continuity
- Business continuity and disaster recovery – part 1 (7.1.2) – NHS England Digital
- template-gp-business-continuity-plan.pdf
- dsptoolkit.nhs.uk
- Emergencies & Business Continuity – Wessex LMCs – Lunch & Learn
Emergency Planning
Key Requirements
- Identify potential emergencies:
- Fire, gas leak, flood, explosion, hazardous substances
- Develop response procedures
- Train staff using scenario-based exercises
Emergency Equipment (Crash/Resus Bag)
Key Requirements
- Inform all staff (including locums) of location and use
- Include in staff induction
- Maintain up-to-date BLS/CPR training
- Assign responsibility for checks
- Identify staff responsible for removing equipment during evacuation
Resources
Equipment & Facilities
Medical Equipment Calibration
Key Requirements
- Follow manufacturer instructions
- Ensure compliance with CQC expectations
- Maintain service records
Resources
Display Screen Equipment (DSE)
Key Requirements
- Conduct assessments for all regular users (≥1 hour/day)
- Include all workstations (office, remote, mobile)
- Cover home and remote workers
Resources
Cold Chain & Fridge Management
Key Requirements
- Assign a named lead
- Maintain temperature logs
- Follow vaccine storage guidance
- Review regularly
Resources
- Cold Chain – Wessex LMCs
- GP mythbuster 17: Vaccine storage and fridges in GP practices – Care Quality Commission
Oxygen Safety
Key Requirements
- Store safely and limit quantities
- Display hazard signage
- Handle cylinders carefully
- Use correct transport signage in vehicles
Resources
Portable Appliance Testing (PAT)
Key Requirements
- Maintain a risk-based testing policy
- Record inspections and testing
- Avoid unnecessary annual testing of all items
Resources
Hearing Loop
Key Requirements
- Train staff in use and maintenance
- Consider installation where not present
Resources
Workforce Safety
Accident Reporting
Key Requirements
- Maintain an accident book (legal requirement)
- Record all injuries (staff and public)
- Include external areas (e.g. car parks)
Resources
First Aid Provision
Key Requirements
- Appoint sufficient trained first aiders
- Ensure coverage at all times (including breaks)
- Maintain valid certification
- Clearly display first aider details
Resources
Staff Health & Immunisation
Key Requirements
- Ensure Hepatitis B vaccination where appropriate
- Maintain occupational health support
Resources
- CQC – Immunising healthcare staff – guidance
- Vaccines and Immunisations – Guidance for Practices – Wessex LMCs
Lone Working
Key Requirements
- Maintain a lone working policy
- Ensure staff awareness
- Review regularly
Resources
Manual Handling
Key Requirements
- Conduct manual handling risk assessments
- Train staff in safe techniques
- Maintain training records
Resources
Needlestick Injuries
Key Requirements
- Provide clear procedures for incidents
- Train staff in safe sharps handling
- Maintain guidance and reporting processes
Resources
- Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013 – HSE
- Further information on needlestick or sharps injuries – HSE
- Occupational Health for GPs and Practice Staff – Wessex LMCs
Contractors & Visitors
Key Requirements
- Ensure all visitors sign in and show ID
- Inform staff of contractor presence
- Obtain:
- Risk assessments
- Insurance documentation
- Ensure confidentiality agreements where required
Premises Management
Asbestos Management
Key Requirements
- Conduct asbestos survey (if applicable)
- Maintain asbestos register
- Appoint responsible person
- Inform contractors of risks
- Use licensed removal companies only
Resources
Building Maintenance
Key Requirements
- Maintain servicing records for:
- Boilers, lifts, air conditioning, etc.
- Track servicing schedules
- Provide staff with contact details for issues
Resources
Fire Safety
Key Requirements
- Complete and maintain Fire Risk Assessment (FRA)
- Test fire alarms weekly
- Service equipment annually
- Conduct evacuation drills annually (minimum)
- Appoint fire wardens
- Maintain evacuation procedures
Resources
Evacuation Planning
Key Requirements
- Develop evacuation procedures that do not rely on fire services
- Provide:
- Refuge points (if applicable)
- Evacuation equipment (chairs, etc.)
- Train staff in evacuation procedures
Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs)
Key Requirements
- Develop plans for individuals needing assistance
- Provide standard evacuation options for visitors
- Display signage encouraging disclosure of needs
Resources
- Hants Fire Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP)
- HM Government Fire Risk Means of Escape Insides
HSE Poster
Key Requirements
- Display HSE law poster
OR - Provide leaflets to all staff
Legionella
Key Requirements
- Control water temperatures
- Conduct risk assessments
- Follow guidance for prevention
Resources
Lifts & Evacuation Equipment
Key Requirements
- Maintain lifts and records
- Ensure emergency procedures in place
- Provide and maintain evacuation equipment
- Train staff in use
Lighting
Key Requirements
- Provide suitable lighting for all activities
- Avoid glare/flicker
- Ensure emergency lighting is installed
Waste & Recycling
Key Requirements
- Maintain waste contracts
- Use correct clinical waste disposal methods
- Review entitlements and service providers
Final Notes
- Health & Safety policies should be reviewed annually or following any major change
- All policies and procedures should be accessible to staff
- Evidence of compliance (training, logs, audits) should be documented and retained