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HSE’s priorities for 2025/26 | What businesses need to know
Written by Nick Wilson on 29 May 2025
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has released its updated Local Authority Circular (LAC 67/2), outlining how local authorities should plan their health and safety regulatory activity in 2025/26. While the guidance is directed at regulators, it provides valuable insight into what businesses can expect in terms of inspections and enforcement focus over the coming year.
If your business falls under local authority enforcement — such as those in the retail, hospitality, leisure, or light manufacturing sectors — it’s important to understand these priorities so you can proactively manage risks, avoid enforcement action, and keep your workforce safe.
Here’s what you need to know.
A risk-based approach to regulation
Local authorities are expected to take a targeted, risk-based approach to health and safety interventions. Rather than routine inspections, activity will be driven by:
- The nature and severity of risks;
- National priorities set by the HSE; and
- Local intelligence (e.g. complaints, incidents, RIDDOR reports).
This means businesses with higher-risk activities or those with a poor compliance track record may face closer scrutiny.
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Proactive work: National planning priorities
The HSE has identified several national priorities that all local authorities should focus on, regardless of local intelligence. These include:
- Occupational lung disease – including the duty to manage asbestos, welding fume, and flour dust.
- Legionella control – especially in water systems that are used infrequently or where there’s a history of poor control.
- Work-related stress – to raise awareness of work-related stress and mental health and the impact it can have on workers.
- Violence and aggression – including risks to lone workers and staff in customer-facing roles.
- Musculoskeletal disorders – to ensure suitable and sufficient risk assessments for manual handling activities have been undertaken where appropriate.
- Noise in the workplace – focusing on the use of hearing protection, its condition, and health surveillance.
- Planned preventative maintenance – to ensure that all work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient order, and in good repair.
Further proactive interventions may also be expected in the following areas:
- Falls from height (the leading cause of workplace fatality) – to ensure all work at height risks (including falls from vehicles) are properly assessed and managed.
- Workplace transport safety – to ensure that the risks of being struck by moving vehicles is assessed and properly controlled.
- Electrical safety – to ensure the use of appropriate outdoor electrical equipment, installed by a competent person.
- Explosion risks caused by leaking LPG – focusing on unsafe gas appliance installation and the conversion/use of LPG cylinders and cartridges.
If these hazards are present in your business then it’s essential to review your risk assessments and ensure effective controls are in place.
Responsive work: Complaints and incident follow-up
Alongside proactive work, local authorities will continue to carry out a range of reactive interventions, including:
- Investigating accidents and incidents;
- Following up on complaints from employees or members of the public; and
- Conducting visits prompted by RIDDOR reports or evidence of significant risk.
Businesses must ensure their reporting procedures are robust and that they respond promptly to any concerns raised.
What should businesses do now?
To prepare for the year ahead, we recommend the following actions:
Audit your risk assessments – especially in relation to gas safety, work at height, silica dust, violence, and any activities listed in Annex B.
Review training and competence – are staff aware of the risks and how to manage them safely?
Maintain accurate records and RIDDOR reporting – these could be reviewed during any enforcement visit.
Stay informed– keep an eye on both national guidance and any issues raised by your local authority.
Final thoughts
The HSE’s 2025/26 LAC 67/2 guidance helps local authorities focus resources where they can have the greatest impact — but it also serves as a valuable checklist for businesses. By understanding the types of risks regulators are prioritising, employers can take steps now to improve compliance and avoid unwanted enforcement attention.
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Want to make sure your business is compliant and protected?
Join WorkNest’s Director of Health & Safety Services and former HSE Inspector Nick Wilson for an exclusive client-only webinar on Thursday 19 June – where we’ll unpack the HSE’s priorities for 2025/26 and share practical advice to help you review your current arrangements and prepare for a possible inspection.
