You've Received an HSE Improvement Notice — What Happens Next?

An improvement notice from the Health and Safety Executive (or your local authority inspector) is serious, but it isn't the end of the world — and panicking rarely produces the best response. Here's what it actually means and what to do in the days that follow.

What an improvement notice is

An improvement notice is issued under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 when an inspector believes you're contravening a health and safety requirement. Unlike a prohibition notice, it doesn't stop work or activity on the spot — it sets out what's wrong and gives you a minimum of 21 days to fix it.

What the notice will tell you

A valid improvement notice must specify:

• Which legal provision the inspector believes you're breaching, and why
• What you need to do to put it right (though the notice may leave the "how" up to you, as long as the outcome is achieved)
• The deadline for compliance — at least 21 days from the date of the notice

Your options once you've received one

Broadly, you have three routes:

1. Comply within the deadline. In most cases this is the right approach — fix the issue, document what you did, and notify the inspector once it's resolved.
2. Appeal to an Employment Tribunal. You have 21 days from the date the notice was issued to appeal. An appeal suspends the notice until the tribunal decides the case, unless the tribunal directs otherwise.
3. Request an extension or clarification. If you agree with the substance of the notice but need more time or clearer guidance on what's expected, it's usually worth speaking to the inspector directly before the deadline, rather than after it's passed.

What happens if you don't comply

Failing to comply with an improvement notice without a valid appeal in progress is a criminal offence. It can lead to prosecution, and in some cases the HSE will escalate to a prohibition notice if the underlying risk is serious enough. This is not a deadline worth quietly missing.

Closing it out properly

The notice isn't just about doing the minimum to get the inspector off your back — it's worth treating as a prompt to check whether the same issue exists elsewhere on your site, and whether your wider compliance processes let something like this slip through in the first place. Keep a clear paper trail: what was found, what you changed, when, and who signed it off.

If you've received a notice and want a second pair of eyes on your response — or want to make sure the same gap doesn't exist elsewhere on your site — get in touch for a free 30-minute consultation.

This article is general guidance, not legal advice. For a definitive view on your specific notice and obligations, consult the HSE's official guidance or a suitably qualified health and safety adviser.