What you’ll learn:
Five small issues that can cause big problems during an inspection
Why even well-run practices can fall short without realising
What you can do today to stay one step ahead
The hazards hiding in plain sight.
You do not need to be reckless to fall short on compliance. In fact, some of the most common failures we see happen in practices that are clean, organised, and genuinely trying their best.
But when you are in the building every day, it is easy to overlook things that an inspector or a health and safety consultant will pick up straight away.
Here are five of the top issues we regularly spot in dental and medical settings. You might be surprised how many sound familiar.
1. Out of date first aid kits
You would be amazed how many first aid kits still contain expired bandages, empty boxes, or contents that do not match the checklist.
Your first aid provision should be regularly checked and restocked. Expired contents could leave you liable if someone needs treatment and does not get what they need.
Tip: Set a reminder to check expiry dates every quarter and keep a simple restock sheet inside the kit.
2. Non compliant visitor books
That classic sign-in sheet on the reception desk might feel harmless, but if it shows a list of other visitors’ names, it is a GDPR breach waiting to happen.
We still see paper systems that reveal too much information or are not stored securely. These small breaches can cause big problems with regulators.
Tip: Switch to a GDPR compliant digital system or use a duplicate-book that protects data from being seen by the next person who signs in.
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3. Screws missing in fire door hinges
This one is easy to miss and even easier to fail on. Fire doors must be correctly installed and maintained to be effective in an emergency. A missing screw might not seem like a big deal, but it can completely compromise the door’s ability to resist fire and smoke.
We have even seen doors propped open with wedges or left permanently ajar. That is an immediate red flag.
Tip: Include door checks in your weekly walk-round and make sure all hinges, seals, and closures are working as they should.
4. Poor tap hygiene and hot water temperature control
Taps are one of the easiest places for Legionella bacteria to breed, especially in underused rooms or where temperatures are not monitored.
If your hot water is not reaching a safe temperature, or taps are not flushed regularly, it could be putting your team and patients at risk. We have seen taps covered in limescale and build-up that makes proper hygiene impossible.
Tip: Test water temperatures regularly and descale taps as part of your cleaning routine. Make sure flushing procedures are in place for rarely used outlets.
5. Household smoke detectors instead of a compliant fire alarm
You might have a smoke alarm, but is it the right kind?
Household detectors are not suitable for commercial settings. We still see battery-operated units stuck to the ceiling, which might tick a box in your head but will not satisfy your legal duties.
A proper fire detection system, linked to sounders and tested regularly, is essential in any clinical environment.
Tip: Check your system against the British Standard for your type of premises and do not rely on off-the-shelf alarms from your local DIY store.
Final thoughts: Are you as compliant as you think?
None of these issues are dramatic. And that is exactly the point. These are the things that get missed, overlooked, or assumed to be fine until someone points them out.
If you have read through this and spotted one or two that sound familiar, you are not alone. These are exactly the kinds of things we help clients fix every day.
Book a consultation with the experts and let us see how compliant your practice really is. It might just save you a DAM headache later.
How best to get started? Get in touch and arrange a chat with us →
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