Health & Safety Services

Yes, it is. Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, every employer must make a “suitable and sufficient” assessment of the risks to the health and safety of their employees and others (like visitors). If you employ five or more people, UK law specifically requires you to record the significant findings in writing. However, even for smaller teams, having a written record is the best way to prove you have fulfilled your duty of care. Bison Assist takes this weight off your shoulders by providing fully compliant, written reports regardless of your business size.

There is no fixed expiry date set by law, but the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that you must review your assessment “regularly.” You must also review it immediately if there have been significant changes to your workplace (new equipment, staff, or processes) or if you have reason to believe the original assessment is no longer valid (for example, after an accident). We generally recommend an annual review to ensure you remain compliant and your staff remain safe. Our Bison Assist team can schedule these regular visits so you never miss a check.

Failing to carry out a risk assessment is a criminal offence. If an accident occurs and you cannot prove you identified and minimised the risks, you could face severe fines from the HSE, prosecution, and invalidation of your business insurance. More importantly, you also risk the safety of your team and customers. A simple visit from a qualified Bison Assist professional protects your business from these legal pitfalls and gives you total peace of mind.

While the primary legal duty comes under the Equality Act 2010 to make “reasonable adjustments” for disabled people, integrating this into your safety management is vital. A general risk assessment might not spot specific barriers that affect disabled staff or visitors (such as emergency evacuation routes for wheelchair users). A dedicated Disability Access Risk Assessment from Bison Assist identifies these barriers, ensuring you aren’t unknowingly discriminating against anyone and are fully compliant with both safety and equality laws.

The law requires the person carrying out the assessment to be “competent”—meaning they must have the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience to identify hazards correctly. While you can do it yourself, many business owners find it difficult to spot hazards in their own familiar environment or lack the technical knowledge of current UK regulations. Using a certified Bison Assist consultant guarantees that the assessment is accurate, unbiased, and meets the strict standards of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, saving you time and worry.