Autumn workplace safety. Your essential health and safety risk assessment checklist.

Autumn is a great time to refresh your workplace safety, check lighting, clear walkways, and update your health and safety risk assessment.

As autumn arrives, it’s the perfect time to review your health and safety risk assessment and ensure your workplace is ready for darker evenings, wet leaves, and cooler weather. Business owners, managers, and directors can take simple steps now to prevent accidents, maintain compliance, and protect staff.

Here’s your practical autumn guide.

1. First Aid Kits: Restock and Replace

One of the first things to check in any health and safety risk assessment is your first aid preparedness.

• Check expiry dates: Many consumables, like sterile dressings and eye wash, have shelf lives. Replace anything out of date.

• Top up stock: Make sure your kit has enough supplies for your team size and workplace hazards.

• Confirm training: Ensure first aiders are up to date. Book refresher courses if needed.

2. Fire Exits and Escape Routes: Keep Them Clear

Autumn debris can quickly become a hazard. When reviewing your health and safety risk assessment, pay special attention to fire safety.

• Clear leaves and debris: Wet leaves can be slippery and obscure exits.

• Check fire doors: Ensure they open freely and escape routes remain clear.

• Inspect signage and lighting: Emergency lighting must be visible in shorter daylight hours.

3. Outdoor Lighting and Visibility

With daylight saving time ending on 26 October, external lighting is critical.

• Test timers and sensors to ensure lights activate at the right time.

• Eliminate dark spots in car parks, entrances, and paths.

• Maintain fixtures: Clean lenses, replace bulbs, and trim foliage blocking light.

Including lighting checks in your health and safety risk assessment helps prevent slips, trips, and security issues.

4. Slips, Trips, and Falls

Autumn is peak season for slips and falls. These risks should be explicitly captured in your health and safety risk assessment.

• Clear walkways of wet leaves regularly.

• Use mats at entrances to prevent indoor slip hazards.

• Check drains and gutters to avoid water pooling.

• Consider gritting ramps or steps on frosty mornings.

5. Heating, Ventilation, and Air Quality

Seasonal changes can impact staff comfort and safety. As part of your health and safety risk assessment:

• Service heating systems before winter.

• Check ventilation to prevent condensation and damp.

• Test carbon monoxide detectors if using gas or fuel-fired appliances.

6. Emergency Planning

Dark evenings and unpredictable weather increase the need for updated emergency procedures.

• Review your evacuation plan in low-light conditions.

• Run drills to simulate night-time or poor weather scenarios.

• Communicate clearly with staff about safety steps during seasonal hazards.

Document these procedures as part of your health and safety risk assessment.

7. Staff Wellbeing

Staff wellbeing affects productivity and accident risk. Include these considerations in your health and safety risk assessment:

• Encourage good hygiene to reduce seasonal illnesses.

• Check welfare facilities such as heated break rooms and safe coat storage.

• Ensure internal lighting is adequate for darker mornings and evenings.

8. Risk Assessment Review

Autumn hazards like wet leaves, poor lighting, and slippery surfaces highlight why regular health and safety risk assessments are essential.

• Walk your site as though you were a visitor in fading light.

• Document all seasonal hazards, inspections, and corrective actions.

• Ensure staff are aware of any changes to routes, lighting, or procedures.

Why This Matters

Slips, trips, and falls are among the most common workplace incidents in the autumn. A well-documented health and safety risk assessment shows that you are proactive, not reactive, which is key for compliance with UK law and your duty of care.

Take Your Safety Leadership Further

Seasonal checks are just one part of effective workplace safety. Our IOSH Managing Safely course equips managers, business owners, and supervisors with the knowledge and tools to:

• Conduct a proper health and safety risk assessment.

• Identify hazards and implement practical controls.

• Improve overall safety culture.

• Respond effectively to incidents.

This internationally recognised course gives you actionable skills to lead safety confidently, not just tick boxes.

By Clare Wellstead

👉 Find out more and book your place here: IOSH Managing Safely Course