The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require employers to carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment of risks to the health and safety of their employees and any other persons affected by their work activities. Where five or more people are employed, the significant findings must be recorded in writing. Failure to carry out adequate risk assessments is one of the most frequently cited grounds for HSE enforcement action.
The Health and Safety Executive’s latest regional data shows that the South West records a non-fatal workplace injury rate of 2,630 cases per 100,000 workers — significantly above the Great Britain average of 1,920. Across Great Britain, 40.1 million working days were lost to work-related illness and injury in 2024/25, at an estimated economic cost of £22.9 billion. Behind many of these incidents is an inadequate or absent risk assessment.
We carry out risk assessments across a wide range of workplace activities and environments, including:
JCT Health & Safety Consulting Ltd is led by Caspar Thomas, a Chartered Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (CMIOSH) — the gold-standard professional designation in UK health and safety, recognised by the HSE and employers across every sector.
We are registered on the government-endorsed Occupational Safety Consultants Register (OSHCR), giving Bristol businesses independent assurance that our advice meets national professional standards.
Every Bristol business is different. We tailor our service to your actual premises, workforce, and risk profile — not a one-size-fits-all template.
Every business we work with receives clear, proportionate advice — not jargon-heavy reports that gather dust on a shelf. We focus on what is actionable, realistic, and relevant to your specific premises and workforce.
We are based in Bristol and support businesses across the city and wider South West — including Bath, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, and beyond. Local knowledge, local commitment.
From events venues and production companies to commercial businesses and public-facing organisations, we bring hands-on experience across a wide range of Bristol industries and environments.
Yes. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require all employers, regardless of size or sector, to carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments. If you employ five or more people, you must also record the significant findings in writing. Even with fewer than five employees, a documented risk assessment is strongly recommended — particularly in higher-risk environments.
Risk assessments must be reviewed whenever there is reason to believe they may no longer be valid — for example, following a change in working practices, a new piece of equipment, a change of premises, or a workplace incident. As a matter of good practice, we recommend reviewing all risk assessments at least annually. JCT Health & Safety Consulting Ltd can support Bristol businesses with scheduled review programmes as part of a retained Competent Person Service.
The HSE uses the phrase ‘suitable and sufficient’ to describe a risk assessment that identifies the real risks in your workplace, is appropriate to the nature of the work, reflects the measures needed to control those risks, and remains valid for a reasonable period. A generic, template-based document that has not been tailored to your specific premises is unlikely to meet this standard. Our assessments are always site-specific and based on direct observation of your workplace.
Yes. In addition to general workplace risk assessments, we carry out specialist assessments covering manual handling, working at height, DSE, lone working, COSHH, and a range of other specific activities. If you have a particular task or process you need assessing, contact us to discuss your requirements.
A risk assessment identifies hazards and evaluates the risks they present. A method statement (or Safe System of Work) sets out the specific steps workers should follow to carry out a task safely, taking into account the findings of the risk assessment. The two documents are complementary and often required together — particularly in construction and higher-risk activities. JCT Health & Safety Consulting Ltd can produce both as part of a comprehensive safety documentation package.