Yes — even small vehicle repair garages are required to manage health and safety risks and, in many cases, this will involve having appropriate documentation in place. Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employers and self-employed business owners must assess risks and implement suitable safety arrangements.
The amount of documentation expected will usually depend on the size of the garage, number of employees and the type of work being carried out. However, even smaller workshops commonly need written records relating to key risks such as vehicle lifting equipment, hazardous substances, fire safety and workshop activities.
In practice, a small garage would typically be expected to have:
- Risk Assessments covering workshop activities and vehicle repair work
- COSHH assessments for hazardous products such as oils, fuels, brake cleaners and solvents
- Basic fire safety arrangements and emergency procedures
- Inspection and maintenance records for workshop equipment and vehicle lifts
- Training or competency records where relevant
Where a business employs five or more people, a written Health and Safety Policy is generally required by law. However, even smaller garages often keep one as part of their overall safety management arrangements.