Published: March 2024
Reading time: 6 minutes
Suitable for: Business Owners, Directors, Managers and Supervisors
Topics: Health & Safety Management | Workplace Organisation | Compliance | Continuous Improvement
At a glance
Main goal: Review and improve your health and safety arrangements.
Who should complete it? Business owners, managers and anyone responsible for health and safety.
When? Annually, or following significant changes within the business.
Benefits: Improved compliance, safer workplaces and more efficient working practices.
Why this matters
Spring is often associated with fresh starts, making it an ideal time to review how your business manages health and safety.
Over time, policies become outdated, documents accumulate, workspaces become cluttered and processes evolve. Taking the time to review your health and safety arrangements each spring can improve efficiency, reduce risks and ensure your business remains compliant with current legislation.
Our simple 5 Cs approach provides a practical framework for reviewing and improving your workplace.
What are the 5 Cs?
The 5 Cs are five simple steps to help businesses review their health and safety arrangements and identify opportunities for improvement.
They encourage you to look beyond individual hazards and consider how your workplace operates as a whole.
1. Clear Out
Remove anything that no longer adds value or could create unnecessary risk.
Consider:
- Removing outdated policies and procedures
- Archiving old documents
- Disposing of damaged equipment
- Clearing clutter from work areas
- Organising storage areas to reduce trip hazards
A tidy, organised workplace is often a safer and more efficient workplace.
2. Configure
Review how your workplace and responsibilities are organised.
Ask yourself:
- Are health and safety responsibilities clearly assigned?
- Does everyone understand their role?
- Are employees working in areas suited to their skills and training?
- Are emergency arrangements still appropriate?
Making small adjustments can improve communication, accountability and overall efficiency.
3. Clean and Check
A spring clean isn’t just about appearance—it’s an opportunity to inspect your workplace thoroughly.
This is a good time to:
- Inspect equipment and machinery
- Review maintenance records
- Check fire safety equipment
- Test emergency lighting where applicable
- Review first aid provisions
- Inspect work areas for hazards
- Review accident and near miss records
Regular inspections help identify issues before they become larger problems.
4. Conformity
Health and safety legislation, guidance and business activities can all change over time.
Review whether your business continues to meet its legal obligations by checking:
- Health and Safety Policy
- Risk assessments
- Safe systems of work
- Employee training records
- Emergency procedures
- Required inspections and statutory examinations
Keeping documentation current helps demonstrate that your business is actively managing health and safety.
5. Custom and Practice
Every workplace is different, so your health and safety arrangements should reflect the way your business operates.
Consider whether your current arrangements:
- Meet the specific risks within your workplace
- Support your employees effectively
- Reflect changes to equipment or working practices
- Continue to meet the needs of your business as it grows
Reviewing your arrangements regularly helps ensure they remain practical, relevant and effective.
Related resources
Documents
E-learning
Need more help?
Reviewing your health and safety arrangements doesn’t have to be complicated. By following the 5 Cs—Clear Out, Configure, Clean and Check, Conformity, and Custom and Practice—you can identify opportunities to improve safety, reduce risk and keep your business operating efficiently.
The Health & Safety Portal provides a range of practical resources to support your annual review, including policy templates, workplace inspection checklists, risk assessment templates and e-learning courses. Whether you’re updating documentation, inspecting your workplace or reviewing employee training, the portal can help you stay organised and compliant throughout the year.