Health and safety law poster: What every employer needs to know
05 February 2025
Health and safety isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s about protecting your workforce and staying compliant. One simple but crucial requirement? Making sure your employees have access to the official Health and Safety Law Poster or its equivalent leaflet.
What are your legal obligations?
As an employer, you must either:
- Display the Health and Safety Law poster somewhere highly visible to your staff, or
- Provide each worker with the official HSE leaflet, which is free to download.
There are several ways to meet this requirement:
- Hard copy posters – Buy an official version from HSE Books or authorised resellers.
- Pocket cards – A compact, portable alternative for workers always on the move.
- Free downloadable leaflet – Ideal for digital distribution or individual copies.
How to spot a genuine poster
To avoid falling for counterfeit versions, make sure your poster has:
- Embossed roundel & optical variable ink – ‘Valid’ shifts colour when viewed from different angles.
- Hologram with image flip – Switches between the HSE logo and the word ‘valid.’
- Durable, recyclable PP5 material – Built to last with rounded corners.
2009 vs. 2018 Poster – Do you need to upgrade?
If you already have the 2009 version, good news—you’re still compliant! The 2018 edition introduced enhanced security features, but the legal content remains unchanged.
Stay compliant, stay protected
Displaying the correct poster isn’t just a legal requirement—it’s a clear message to your employees that you take their safety seriously. Need more guidance? Backhouse Jones is here to help you navigate the complexities of compliance with confidence.
Contact the Regulatory team here for more information.
