HCS Safety Ltd

06/03/2026

𝗛𝗖𝗦 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗺 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽

Our Annual Safety Forum is a free event for our valued member clients and a fantastic opportunity to stay up to date with the latest developments in health and safety.

The forum brings members together to hear from expert guest speakers, connect with fellow professionals, and explore our mini-expo. We also take the opportunity to present our Annual Safety Awards, celebrating the companies who have achieved 100% at their Annual Safety Review.

📢 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽

𝟵:𝟬𝟬 - Zoe Drew kicked off the morning with a welcoming membership update, staff news Zoe then took us through the heath and safety developments and news for 2026. 📰

𝟵:𝟯𝟬 - Karen Fanner presented a statistics Update, HCS Safety Data including industry trends, Accident Investigations and future goals for our members. 📊

𝟭𝟬:𝟬𝟬 - Steve Bear from Gallagher delivered a presentation on Directors & Officers responsibilities, covering director duties including fiduciary and statutory obligations, as well as key risks such as health and safety issues, stakeholder actions and emerging risks. 🏢

𝟭𝟬:𝟭𝟱 - Alex Drew presented an overview of key prosecutions and the lessons that can be learned from them, covering HAVS (Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome) and explaining how the HSE calculates fines.⚖️

𝟭𝟬:𝟯𝟬 - Networking break, Mini Expo, tea, coffee and pastry break👥

𝟭𝟭:𝟬𝟬 - Sarah Wheadon delivered a truly powerful and thought-provoking story from the perspective of a director whose employee had a fall from height and the repercussions of not having the basic health and safety actions in place. 📖

𝟭𝟭:𝟭𝟱 - Drew Underwood provided a health and safety update, outlining trends linked to HSE priorities and current and future campaigns, the future of accreditors, and insights into the Building Safety Act, work-related stress and noise, asbestos, pressure systems and LOLER, as well as Martyn’s Law and Awaab’s Law. 🦺

𝟭𝟭:𝟰𝟱 - Steve Sadler gave us a presentation on Managing Financial Risk, where he took us through three topics, Market and interest Rate Risk, Working capital and Cashflow and financial Fraud Cyber 💰

𝟭𝟮:𝟬𝟬 - Zoe closed the forum by providing further information on SafetyNet, including updates to the platform, a timeline of releases for SafetyNet+, and our new mobile app. Over the next couple of weeks, we will also be introducing major updates. 📱

𝟭𝟮:𝟭𝟱 - Finally, we presented our Annual Safety Awards, recognising members who achieved 100% in their annual safety review. 🏆

A huge thank you to everyone who attended this year’s Annual Safety Forum. We are always blown away by the support and attendance for this annual event, and we truly appreciate everyone who joined us and contributed to such a worthwhile morning.

20/02/2026

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗖𝗦… 𝗖𝗢𝗦𝗛𝗛 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵, 𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗦 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗲𝗯𝗼𝘀𝗵 𝗱𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗮 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘂𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 (𝟭𝟲/𝟬𝟮)

Delegates Trained: 124🎓
Site Inspections: 30 🦺
Training Courses held: 10 📚

🏗️ 𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗦 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵
We were pleased to see a successful start to the SEATS course this week, with a full class led by Steve Potter. The CITB Site Environmental Awareness Training Scheme (SEATS) provides delegates with a solid understanding of environmental responsibilities on construction sites and how to manage them effectively.

⚠️𝗖𝗢𝗦𝗛𝗛 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵
We were also delighted to successfully launch our COSHH – How to Write a COSHH Assessment course, with a great turnout and strong engagement throughout. delivered by our own Alex Drew

🎓𝗡𝗲𝗯𝗼𝘀𝗵 𝗗𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗮
NEBOSH Diploma is back underway with a great turnout of 16 delegates for ND1, this year we have an additional tutor in the form of Alec Arnold who will teach alongside the usual Drew Underwood and Karen Fanner

Don't forget you can take on the diploma in any order you like, we have another 2 units starting later in the year you can set your sights on.

𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲:
• Annual Forum 2026 is 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 available for booking!
• Next Member Seminar: Workplace Inspections by Jason Dance

👉 https://hcssafety.co.uk/health-and-safety-courses/nebosh-course/nebosh-national-diploma/

🏆 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸
• Came highly recommended by my colleague. I work as a Conservation Officer and this will give me the knowledge/confidence to speak up about unsafe practices during site visits

• Drew was excellent and clearly knows the subject.. made what was a daunting/confusing topic manageable and understandable. Walked away with the answers needed.

• Most of my training is rail related and specific to roles undertaken within the infrastructure, it would be nice if some of those training locations were as well appointed as HCS

HCS Safety is offering a classroom-based NEBOSH national diploma comprising of four syllabi – from health principles to workplace safety.

18/02/2026

🚧 Today marks the launch of our CITB SEATS course.

CITB SEATS (Site Environmental Awareness Training Scheme) gives delegates a clear understanding of their environmental duties on site It covers how to identify environmental risks, implement practical control measures and work in line with current legislation and best practice

Led by our tutor Steve Potter, the course brought together professionals from across the construction industry — from Site Managers and Supervisors to duty holders and SHE Advisors — all responsible for managing or influencing environmental performance on site 🏗️

Delegates are assessed throughout to ensure they can apply what they’ve learned in real-world situations, before completing a 30-minute exam at the end ✍️ Successful candidates receive the recognised CITB SEATS certificate

A strong start to a new course for us, and we’re looking forward to our next full class in April 👏

📚 We have spaces available from June to September — now open for booking.

👉https://hcssafety.co.uk/health-and-safety-courses/citb-courses/site-environmental-awareness-training-scheme/

11/02/2026

𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽

Training Courses held: 𝟲𝟱 📚
Delegates Trained: 𝟱𝟲𝟯🎓
Site Inspections: 𝟭𝟰𝟳 🦺

𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲:
• Annual Forum 2026 is available for booking!

🏆 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸
• Really beneficial course and I am going into being a Mental Health First Aider with clearer knowledge and more confidence in how to approach certain situations.

• I'd highly recommend HCS Safety to anyone looking for health and safety training. The courses can be intensive but the quality of training they provide is second to none, and you learn so much in a short timeframe, and you'll leave with the knowledge and confidence that you need for your role.

• Just a thanks again to Rob for a well delivered course. Thoroughly enjoyed it and have taken away lots to think about and have plans to implement new improvements in my role and tasks.

• Brilliant instructor, very educated and was great at passing information on. Really friendly approach and made it an enjoyable experience
Very good course. Well taught

18/12/2025

🎄 Elf ‘n’ Safety – Breaking News! 🎄

🚨 A crack team of HCS Safety operatives have gained access to a secret dossier of health and safety issues raised by those who work at the North Pole.

Read on to discover just a few of the findings – and our top tips on how YOU can help… 👇

🧑‍🎄 #1 – 16 Olympic-sized swimming pools!
An anonymous whistle-blower has described “erratic sleigh driving” and a series of “highly dubious landings” at the end of the night – and the cause is clear.

Santa is drinking an estimated 40 million litres of brandy on a typical Christmas Eve. That’s roughly 16 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Even for a gentleman of Santa’s stature, this could be a little excessive.

✅ How can you help?
• Consider offering an alcohol-free option
• Matcha tea seems to be a thing (although nobody knows why)
• H&S folks like BrewDog’s “Nanny State” 0% IPA – but then we would, wouldn’t we?

🎁 #2 – That Sack
Often the question is asked: “What does Santa do for the other 364 days of the year?”

Well, it seems he spends most of his time at the chiropractor’s or recovering from the mother of all hangovers (see #1).

Using TILE principles:
• Task – One sack, one planet, a matter of hours
• Individual – Santa is around 1,700 years old, so some long-term wear and tear is likely
• Load – Estimated at 500,000 metric tonnes (roughly the weight of the Burj Khalifa), with awkward and unpredictable shapes
• Environment – Rooftop work, icy surfaces and confined spaces

✅ How can you help?
• Tackle risk at source – think of Santa and the elves when writing your Christmas list
• Do you really need those matching “his and hers” bowling balls? Could you choose something lighter?
• If you have a lift, guide Santa to it – mechanisation helps!

🛷 #3 – Driving at Work, Access & Egress, Confined Spaces and Fire
Our whistle-blower reports a culture of “looking the other way”, “hoping for the best” and “total denial” around one of Santa’s biggest challenges.

High-speed driving under the influence (see #1), with no seatbelts, no ABS, no airbags, on icy surfaces and at height is clearly a serious combination of risks.

Confined spaces are another major issue. Some chimneys are simply not designed for a 1,700-year-old mythical entity with an expanding BMI.

✅ How can you help?
• Put out the festive yule log fire and clean the chimney
• No chimney? Get the boiler serviced – it all helps
• Those huge inflatable roof decorations may divide opinion, but they could double as a soft landing system in the event of sleigh braking failure

🥗 #4 – Unhealthy Eating
Our insider reports Santa can often be seen “begging for lettuce” and “snuffling round the elves’ canteen” in search of his 5-a-day.

This is hardly surprising when the average Christmas sees Santa consuming over 200 billion calories – even more if we’ve opted for “Finest” or “Taste the Difference” mince pies.

Sadly, Ozempic is not yet licensed for sale at the North Pole, so this may be a long game…

✅ How can you help?
• Be part of the solution – offer crudités
• Carrot sticks, red and green pepper slices and celery are low-fat and easily transferable to the reindeer
• Or… maybe just get M&S mini mince pies

🎄 For information on how you can improve your own health and safety standards, call the friendly elves at HCS Safety.

And remember…
👉 A health and safety consultant is for life, not just for Christmas.
👉

HCS Safety offer health & safety training courses, membership services, consultancy and more - Contact us today!

05/12/2025

🎄 Putting up decorations this Christmas? Let’s talk ladder safety!

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗳𝗲𝘄 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻:

🪜 Be careful when buying online some platforms don’t check product safety from third-party sellers.
🛑 Avoid ladders with CE or UKCA marks ladders shouldn’t have these at all!
✔️ Choose EN 131 ladders these are stronger and more stable.
👀 Always check before you climb – look at the rungs, feet, stiles, locks and read the instructions.
📏 Position it properly leaning ladders should be at a 75° angle.
🙌 Use three points of contact two feet and a hand, at all times.
⚠️ Don’t overload or overreach it’s one of the biggest causes of falls.
👟 Wear proper shoes no slippers!
🚫 If it feels unsafe, don’t use it and report it if needed.

A few minutes of preparation can prevent a painful fall and a spoiled Christmas.

If you want to make sure you and your team work safely at height all year round, take a look at our Work at Height training courses:

HCS Safety offer work at height training courses to ensure the safety of your workforce - Book online today!

26/11/2025

The HSE has released its 2024/25 national health and safety statistics and the findings show a clear shift in workplace risk.

The headline figures reveal:
• 1.9 million workers suffered work related ill health
• 964,000 cases of stress, depression or anxiety
• 680,000 non fatal injuries
• 40.1 million working days lost
• Workplace fatalities down to 124
• Economic cost remains at £22.9 billion

Compared with 2023/24, the UK has seen:
📈 A sharp rise in mental health related ill health
📈 An increase in non fatal injuries
📉 A slight fall in musculoskeletal disorders
📉 A reduction in workplace fatalities

These trends show that while fatal injuries continue to decline, long term ill health and mental wellbeing issues are becoming the dominant challenges for employers.

At HCS Safety, we help organisations respond effectively. From face to face training and accredited qualifications (NEBOSH, IOSH, CITB, PASMA, UKATA, NUCO) to our Membership Service and consultancy support, we work with over 500 companies to build safer, healthier workplaces.

If the latest HSE figures highlight issues you are concerned about, we are here to help you assess risk, improve compliance and protect your workforce.

👉 Read the full blog on our website or contact us to discuss support for your organisation:

Discover what the newly released HSE 2024/25 workplace health statistics reveal about rising work related ill health, stress and non fatal injuries across the UK. Explore key year on year changes and learn how HCS Safety can help your business improve compliance and protect your workforce.

20/11/2025

📢 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 – 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 & 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿

This is your last chance to apply for the role of Health & Safety Advisor at HCS Safety. This position sits at the core of our Membership Service and offers the opportunity to work with a wide range of businesses, carrying out safety reviews, providing compliance advice, and helping shape safer workplaces every day.

📝 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆

To apply, please email zoe@hcssafety.co.uk

with:
• Your CV
• A Covering Letter – this is essential.
Applications without a covering letter will not be considered.

Applications are open until 28th November.

🔗 𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:

https://hcssafety.co.uk/about-us/current-vacancies/

💼 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗲

As part of our team, you’ll work directly with companies across a huge range of industries, conducting safety reviews, offering compliance advice, writing clear reports and policies, investigating incidents, and helping clients make meaningful improvements.

🎓 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗼𝗿

• NEBOSH General Certificate (essential)
• Strong understanding of UK health & safety law
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to translate compliance into clear, practical advice
• Full UK driving licence

💡 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗛𝗖𝗦 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆?

• People-first culture
• Investors in People employer
• 75% employee-owned – with tax-free bonuses after one year
• A 9-day fortnight
• Strong focus on development, wellbeing, and mentoring

💰 Salary: £30,000–£35,000 (DOE)
🕐 Hours: 8:00am – 4:30pm
📅 Interviews: 9th & 10th December
🚀 Start Date: 12th January 2026

If you're interested in a career in health and safety with us at HCS Safety, you can browse our current vacancies or register your interest here.

13/11/2025

📢 𝗪𝗲'𝗿𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴!

𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿

This role is at the very core of our highly successful Membership Service. It is fundamental to the business and will expose the successful candidate to a variety of work for different companies in different industries.

At HCS Safety, you’ll work directly with companies across a huge range of industries, conducting safety reviews, advising on compliance, and shaping safer workplaces every single day.

💼 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲

• Visiting clients to carry out annual safety reviews and workplace inspections
• Offering practical, friendly advice rooted in solid legal and industry knowledge
• Writing clear, professional reports and health & safety policies
• Investigating incidents and supporting clients to make lasting improvements
• Identifying and booking essential training to help teams stay safe and compliant

🎓 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱

• NEBOSH General Certificate (essential)
• A solid understanding of UK health & safety law and management systems
• Strong communication skills – both written and verbal
• A knack for turning technical compliance into clear, real-world advice
• A full UK driving licence

💡 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀?

•At HCS Safety, people come first. We’re proud to be:
•An Investors in People employer
•75% employee-owned – after one year, you’ll share in our success with tax-free bonuses
•Supportive of career growth – from consultancy to teaching and beyond
•Offering a 9-day fortnight (yes, a day off every other week!)
•Focused on wellbeing, mentoring and professional development

💰 Salary: £30,000 – £35,000 (DOE)
🕐 Hours: 8:00am – 4:30pm
📅 Interviews: 9th & 10th December
🚀 Start Date: 12th January 2026

If you're interested in a career in health and safety with us at HCS Safety, you can browse our current vacancies or register your interest here.

05/11/2025

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 | 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

This week marks Stress Awareness Week 2025, a vital reminder that stress is a health and safety risk, and that employers have a legal duty to act.

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, work-related stress must be managed just like any other workplace hazard.

The facts speak for themselves:
📊 In 2023/24, 776,000 workers reported suffering from work-related stress, depression or anxiety.
That’s nearly half of all self-reported work-related ill health, leading to 16.4 million working days lost.

This week, the HSE’s Working Minds campaign is encouraging all employers to:

• Review your stress risk assessment: make sure it is up to date
• Use our Talking Toolkits: start open conversations
• Encourage learning: signpost the free Working Minds online learning modules for managers
• Look out for early signs like absence, low morale or conflict
• Make it routine by treating stress prevention like any other safety issue

Taking simple, reasonable steps not only helps you stay compliant but also supports a healthier, more resilient workforce.

Mental health is a health and safety issue and must be treated as such

09/10/2025

𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗮𝗯’𝘀 𝗟𝗮𝘄 – 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀

From 27th October 2025, Awaab’s Law (the Hazards in Social Housing Regulations) comes into force, requiring social housing landlords to fix health and safety issues quickly — a major step to prevent tragedies like the death of Awaab Ishak, caused by prolonged damp and mould.

While the law applies to landlords, it will directly impact contractors who carry out the work:

• Emergency hazards (e.g. unsafe electrics) must be made safe within 24 hours.
• Significant hazards (like damp or mould) must be investigated within 10 days and repaired within 5 days of that.

This means faster response times, better record keeping, and proof of compliance will be essential. Contractors should now:

✅ Review response agreements with landlords.
✅ Strengthen documentation and photo records.
✅ Invest in staff training on identifying damp and mould causes.
✅ Introduce clear sign-off procedures for all repairs.

For our full article:

Awaabs law, which is a new law coming in on 27th October forcing social housing landlords to fix issues in their homes, particularly mould.

25/09/2025

Proud to see our consultants Nicky and Rob feature on the front cover of the NEBOSH Graduation and Awards Ceremony programme! 🎓

Congratulations to everyone who graduated this year!

Our dates for all 2026 NEBOSH courses are now live and open for booking here: https://hcssafety.co.uk/health-and-safety-courses/nebosh-training-courses/