From the van to the office: does everyone know their role under the new HHSRS and Awaab's Law?
The revised HHSRS has been in use since 23 June 2026, and Awaab's Law Phase 2 starts on 30 November. Officers, operatives and compliance teams each have a different job to do. Our programme gives each of them the training for theirs, delivered in-house by Brian Claydon CMIOSH.
The clock starts when you become aware of a hazard
Since 27 October 2025, Awaab's Law has set fixed timescales for damp and mould and for emergency hazards in social housing. From 30 November 2026, Phase 2 adds excess cold, excess heat, falls, structural collapse, fire and explosions, electrical hazards, and domestic hygiene. Phase 3, expected in 2027, will cover the remaining HHSRS hazards except overcrowding.
The government guidance says investigations must be carried out by someone you judge competent. They don't need to be HHSRS-qualified, but they do need to recognise hazards and judge the risk. That puts the focus on your frontline staff: the people who hear about problems, the trades who see them, and the officers who investigate.
| What you must do | Emergency hazard | Significant hazard |
|---|---|---|
| Investigate | Within 24 hours | Within 10 working days |
| Make it safe | Within 24 hours | Within 5 working days of the investigation |
| Written summary to the tenant | Usually within 3 working days of the investigation, if works are not complete | Usually within 3 working days of the investigation |
| Start further preventative work | Within 5 working days, or as soon as reasonably practicable and within 12 weeks | |
| If work can't be done in time | Suitable alternative accommodation, at the landlord's expense | |
Summary of the GOV.UK Awaab's Law Phase 2 guidance for social landlords.
The dates social landlords are working to
The revised HHSRS and the Competence and Conduct Standard are already in force. Awaab's Law Phase 2 is next.
Four parts, one programme
Each part works on its own, but together they cover the whole chain: the trades who spot a hazard, the officers who judge it, and the buildings themselves. Take the whole programme, or just the parts you need.
HHSRS & Awaab's Law Awareness
How hazards are judged and what the law now expects of your team.
- The revised HHSRS: the 21 hazard categories, hazard profiles and who is most vulnerable
- Awaab's Law: emergency and significant hazards, timescales and written summaries
- What Phase 2 adds, and what Phase 3 will bring
- Spotting, recording and passing on hazards, with practical case studies
Eyes & Ears: hazard awareness for operatives
Your trades see inside more homes than anyone. This course turns them into an extra pair of eyes and ears, without making them HHSRS assessors.
- Damp and mould, fire doors and compartmentation, hoarding, e-bike and e-scooter charging, signs of self-neglect
- The hazards Phase 2 adds, such as electrical hazards, falls, excess cold and pests
- Reporting through your own route, quickly and clearly, with photos
Fire safety responsibilities in social housing
Fire and explosions come under Awaab's Law from 30 November 2026, alongside your existing fire safety duties.
- The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Fire Safety Act 2021 and Building Safety Act 2022
- Who is responsible for what, from the responsible person to frontline staff
- How the fire risk assessment process works, and what the actions mean for your teams
- A practical "spot the hazard" exercise using real social housing inspection photos
Fire risk assessments
Suitable and sufficient fire risk assessments under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, for communal areas, housing schemes, offices and depots.
- A clear report with prioritised actions, in plain English
- A recommended review date
- Findings your staff understand, because the same person trained them
Planned around your teams
Training from someone who knows social housing
- Real social housing experience. Brian Claydon has worked in social housing himself, and we train housing providers and local authority housing teams.
- Chartered expertise, in person. Brian is a Chartered Member of IOSH (CMIOSH) and delivers every course himself.
- Real examples, not theory. Our fire safety training uses photographs from real social housing inspections.
- Training people remember. Rated 5.0 from 197 reviews. Learners tell us our training is engaging and story-led. Health and safety doesn't have to be dull.
- Local. Based in Widnes, working across Liverpool, Manchester, Warrington, St Helens, Runcorn and the wider North West.
Frequently asked questions
Do we have to book the whole programme?
No. Each part works on its own. Many organisations start with HHSRS & Awaab's Law Awareness for officers and add the other parts later.
Can the training run online?
HHSRS & Awaab's Law Awareness can run live on Microsoft Teams. Eyes & Ears and the fire safety course are delivered face to face, because they are practical and hands-on.
Is the training up to date with the revised HHSRS?
Yes. It reflects the revised HHSRS in use since 23 June 2026 and Awaab's Law Phase 2 from 30 November 2026.
Is the training accredited?
These courses are not externally accredited. Every delegate receives an OHSS certificate of attendance, and you receive signed attendance registers as a record of training.
Does this meet the Competence and Conduct Standard qualification requirements?
No. The standard's qualification requirements apply to senior housing managers and executives, who need specific recognised qualifications. Our training supports the day-to-day competence of the staff who find, report and deal with hazards.
Where do you deliver?
At your own site, anywhere in the North West, including Liverpool, Manchester, Warrington, St Helens, Runcorn and Widnes. Ask us about locations further afield.
How much does it cost?
We quote for your organisation, based on staff numbers, locations and which parts you choose. Get in touch and we'll put a programme and price together.
Tell us about your teams
We'll put together a programme and a quote that fits your organisation.
Or call 0151 374 0355 · info@ohss.co.uk
Dates and timescales from GOV.UK: Awaab's Law Phase 2 guidance for social landlords, HHSRS operating guidance and Competence and Conduct Standard.
