Health and Safety Service Standards

This page features six different service standards relating to each area of health and safety:

Asbestos Management, Electrical Safety, Fire Safety, Gas Safety, Passenger Lift Safety, and Water Hygiene Safety.

Asbestos Management Safety & Quality Service Standard

South Essex Homes is committed to keeping you, your family, our staff, and contractors safe from the risks of asbestos in your home or building.
We follow national regulations and good practice to identify, monitor, and manage asbestos safely.

We will:

  • Make sure that all our homes and buildings are safe to live in and visit. If asbestos is found, it will be managed safely and left undisturbed unless it needs to be removed.
  • Confirm the details of any asbestos survey to your home and advise you at sign-up if there is any asbestos present in the property.
  • Use only competent and qualified contractors to carry out maintenance, repairs, or asbestos removal in your home.
  • Keep our information up to date ensuring every property built before 2000 has an asbestos survey. We keep an asbestos register showing where asbestos is located (if any) and its condition. You can ask for a copy of your home's asbestos survey, and we will provide it within 28 days of completion.
  • Carry out inspections to make sure asbestos materials remain in good condition and are not damaged we will carry out annual inspections to communal areas.  Commencing April 2026, any void property with a survey ten years old or more will be re-inspected.
  • Use safe working practices. Before any works are done, contractors will check the asbestos register and use approved safety methods to avoid disturbing any asbestos materials.

You can help us by:

  • Contacting us before carrying out any DIY work so we can check your home's asbestos information.
  • Not drilling, sanding, or disturbing any materials that you think might contain asbestos.
  • Reporting any damage straight away, such as to ceilings, walls, pipe boxing, or floor tiles.

Keeping Everyone Safe

  • We do not remove asbestos unnecessarily if it is in good condition and not likely to be disturbed.
  • If asbestos is damaged or at risk of being disturbed, we will arrange for safe removal or sealing by licensed professionals.
  • If there is ever an accidental release of asbestos fibres, we will:
    • Make the area safe immediately
    • Inform residents affected and, if needed, arrange temporary accommodation
    • Investigate and report the incident
    • Carry out any necessary cleaning or remedial works

Electrical Safety & Quality Service Standard

South Essex Homes is committed to keeping you, your family, our staff, and contractors safe from the dangers of electricity.

We follow national regulations and good practice to identify, monitor, and manage electrical safety.

We Will

  • Carry out an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) in your home at least every five years.
  • Ensure all electrical work is done by qualified and competent electricians.
  • Carry out regular testing and inspections of communal electrical systems, fire alarms, emergency lighting, and door entry systems.
  • Keep accurate records of all electrical tests and repairs.
  • Act quickly to make safe any electrical faults or hazards reported to us.
  • Follow all relevant health and safety and housing regulations, including the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and Building Safety Act 2022.
  • Provide staff with ongoing training so they work safely and to a high standard.
  • Provide temporary accommodation, where needed, whilst works are being carried out to make your home safe.

You Can Help Us By

  • Allowing access to your home when we arrange electrical safety inspections or repairs.
  • Reporting any electrical faults straight away - such as flickering lights, damaged sockets, or a burning smell.
  • Avoiding overloading sockets or using multiple extension leads.
  • Not attempting electrical repairs or DIY on wiring, sockets, or appliances.
  • Making sure that any personal electrical appliances you use are safe and in good working order.
  • Unplugging chargers (such as for e-bikes, scooters, or phones) once charging is complete and not charging items overnight or when unattended.
  • Keeping cables tidy and away from walkways to avoid trip hazards.
  • If you use a tumble drier, ensure it is located safely in a ventilated area away from flammable materials; regularly clean the lint filter; never overfill the drier and avoid leaving the drier unattended.

Keeping Everyone Safe

Electrical safety saves lives. Faulty appliances or damaged wiring can cause shocks, burns, or fires.

If you ever feel unsafe or notice a problem with the electrics in your home or building:

  • Turn off the power at the socket if it's safe to do so.
  • Do not touch damaged equipment or wiring.
  • Report it immediately to South Essex Homes.

We work with residents, contractors, and emergency services to make sure our homes remain safe for everyone.

Fire Safety & Quality Service Standard

South Essex Homes is committed to keeping you, your family, our staff, and contractors safe from the risks of fire in your home or building.
We follow national regulations and good practice to identify, monitor, and manage fire risks to ensure your safety.

We will:

  • Carry out regular Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs) for all communal buildings we manage, using competent and accredited fire risk assessors.
  • Review FRAs whenever there is a fire incident, change in building use, refurbishment, or updated legislation.
  • Complete all required inspections, servicing and maintenance of fire alarms, emergency lighting, fire doors, sprinklers, extinguishers, dry risers, automatic opening vents and other fire safety systems.
  • Prioritise any fire life safety actions identified during inspections, completing:
    • Intolerable risks within 24 hours
    • High risks within 1 month
    • Medium risks within 3 months
    • Low risks within 6-12 months
  • Ensure fire doors in communal areas in high-risk buildings (over 18 metres) are checked quarterly, communal fire doors in other blocks are checked 6 monthly and all flat entrance doors are checked annually.
  • Provide all residents with clear fire safety information, including fire evacuation instructions and guidance on fire doors.
  • Keep accurate, secure records of FRAs, inspections, maintenance, and servicing for every building.
  • Provide appropriate fire safety training to staff and ensure only competent and accredited contractors carry out specialist work.
  • Work closely with Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, sharing building plans and essential information for buildings over 18 metres.
  • Complete Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessments (PCFRAs) or Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) for residents who need additional support to evacuate.
  • Respond promptly to reports of fire safety issues and escalate any significant concerns within 24 hours.
  • Provide temporary accommodation, if needed, whilst works are being carried out to make your home safe.

You can help us by:

  • Keeping communal areas clear of personal items, rubbish or obstructions.
  • Not storing items, including mobility scooters, prams or bikes, in hallways, risers, stairwells, or escape routes.
  • Ensuring your front entrance door (including the frame, hinges and self-closing device) is kept in good working order and reporting any damage immediately.
  • Allowing us access to your home to complete safety checks, including fire door inspections and alarm testing where required.
  • Reporting any concerns about fire safety straight away - such as damaged fire doors, faulty alarms, blocked exits, or hoarding concerns.
  • Following the fire strategy for your building, including any stay put or evacuate instructions.
  • Telling us if you have health and support needs that may affect your ability to evacuate safely so we can arrange a PCFRA or PEEP.
  • Using electrical appliances responsibly and never tampering with fire alarms, smoke detectors, or fire safety equipment.

Keeping Everyone Safe:

Fire safety is a joint responsibility. By working together, we can reduce risk and ensure our homes and buildings remain safe for all residents.

We will continue to invest in fire safety improvements, keep our processes under regular review, and comply with all relevant legislation, including the Fire Safety Order, the Fire Safety Act, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations, and the Building Safety Act.

If you ever have a fire safety concern, please report it immediately. Acting quickly helps protect you, your neighbours, and your home.

Gas Safety & Quality Service Standard

South Essex Homes is committed to keeping you, your family, our staff, and contractors safe from the risks gas escapes and Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning. Every home with a gas supply needs regular checks to make sure everything is safe and working properly.

We will:

  • Check your gas appliances every year. We are legally required to carry out a gas safety check once every 12 months. A Gas Safe registered engineer will visit your home to make sure your boiler, flue and any other gas appliances are safe.
  • Give you a copy of your Landlord Gas Safety Record (LGSR) safety certificate after your check within 28 calendar days.
  • Keep you safe when you move in. Before you move into a home managed by South Essex Homes, we'll make sure the gas system has passed all safety checks.
  • Only use competent Gas Safe registered engineers for gas work, we will check their qualifications every year.
  • Make it easy to book your appointment. We'll write, call, or text to arrange your appointment at a time that suits you. If you have trouble giving access, please tell us - we'll do our best to make reasonable adjustments to help.
  • Act fast if there's a problem. If something is unsafe, we'll disconnect it immediately and arrange repairs or replacements as soon as possible. If needed, we will arrange temporary accommodation until the issue is resolved.

You can help us by:

  • Letting us in when we contact you for your annual gas check. It's quick, free, and keeps you and your neighbours safe.
  • Tell us straight away if you smell gas or think there's a leak - call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.
  • Never try to fix gas appliances yourself.
  • Letting us know if you need support (for example, due to health, language, or mobility needs) so we can help arrange access safely.

Keeping Everyone Safe

We also make sure:

  • Gas is switched off safely in empty homes.
  • Communal gas systems are checked, as a minimum, every year.
  • Our staff and contractors are trained to spot and report any gas safety concerns.

Passenger Lift Safety & Quality Service Standard

We are committed to keeping all passenger lifts in our buildings safe, reliable, and in good working order. We understand how important lift access is for residents, visitors, and staff - especially for those with mobility needs. 

Our priority is to make sure that all lifts are regularly inspected, properly maintained, and repaired quickly when faults occur.
We work closely with Southend-on-Sea City Council and competent contractors to meet all legal and safety requirements and to minimise disruption to residents.

We will

  • Make sure all passenger lifts in our buildings are safe, reliable, and regularly serviced by competent engineers.
  • Carry out regular maintenance and safety checks in line with legal requirements and best practice.
  • Work closely with Southend-on-Sea City Council to ensure all lifts are inspected every six months as part of the engineering insurance programme.
  • Keep clear and accurate records of all inspections, maintenance, and repairs to ensure each lift remains safe to use.
  • Only use approved parts and materials that meet safety and performance standards.
  • Communicate clearly with residents about any planned works or temporary outages that might affect lift access and provide appropriate support including temporary accommodation where required.

Where a lift breaks down, we will:

  • Attend: Lift Specialists engineer will attend within 2 hours of lift breakdown to carry out an initial inspection and have the lift back in service or made safe and isolated.
  • Assess: During this visit, the engineer will assess whether the lift can be repaired immediately or if further works/parts are required.
  • Update: Residents will be informed within 24 hours by letter, text or via QR code updates if the lift cannot be repaired. If parts or additional works are needed, residents will receive an update on the expected repair timeframe within 24hrs of the engineer's attendance. We will continue to provide regular updates until the lift is fully operational.

You can help us by

  • Reporting any issues or unusual noises, smells, or jerky movements from the lift as soon as you notice them.
  • Letting us know if the lift stops working or if any lights, buttons, or doors are damaged.
  • Avoiding overloading the lift or forcing doors open when it is moving or not responding.
  • Keeping lift areas clear of rubbish, furniture, or personal items so engineers can access them safely.
  • Treating lift engineers, maintenance staff, and contractors with respect while they carry out their work.

Keeping everyone safe

  • Never use a lift if you see a safety notice or Out of Service sign - this means it's being inspected or repaired.
  • In an emergency (such as being trapped in a lift), use the emergency communication button to speak directly to the emergency call centre who will inform the appropriate emergency services.
  • If there is a fire alarm and you are evacuating the building, always use the stairs, not the lift.
  • Children should be supervised when using lifts.
  • Please tell us if you or someone in your household relies on lift access (for example, due to disability or mobility issues) so we can plan support during any major outages or repairs.

Water Hygiene Service Standard

South Essex Homes is committed to keeping residents, staff, contractors, and visitors safe from the risks associated with Legionella bacteria.

We want to make sure the water in your home is clean, safe, and risks from Legionella are minimised. We follow national regulations and good practice to identify, monitor, and manage Legionella risks safely.

This standard applies to all homes that share a communal water tank. Residents living  in homes with a combination (combi) boiler, should continue to practise good water hygiene, including regularly cleaning taps and shower heads, to help minimise any risk.

We are currently reviewing how water hygiene will be managed in homes with cold water storage tanks. This standard will be updated once that review has been completed. As boilers are replaced, these storage tanks will be removed and replaced with combi boilers.

We will:

  • Regularly check, service, and maintain water systems in our buildings to make sure they are clean and working safely.
  • Comply with national health and safety laws and expert guidance on water hygiene and Legionella control.
  • Only use trained and competent contractors to carry out inspections, water testing, and maintenance.
  • Identify and assess any water systems that could pose a risk and take action to reduce or remove that risk.
  • Flush, clean, and disinfect systems such as tanks, pipes, and showerheads as required.
  • Log all inspections, testing, and maintenance to show that the correct safety measures are in place.
  • Act immediately if there is any concern about water hygiene or signs of contamination.
  • Give clear advice to promote good water safety and update residents when maintenance or testing may affect water use.

You can help us by:

  • Running all taps and showers at least once a week to help prevent bacteria from building up, especially in rarely used rooms.
  • Allow access for our staff or contractors to carry out essential water hygiene checks or maintenance.
  • Telling us straight away, if you notice discoloured water, unusual smells, leaks, or problems with your hot water.
  • Avoiding altering or adding any water systems (for example, installing your own shower or water filter) without our permission.
  • Keeping your home ventilated to prevent damp and keep water systems working efficiently.
  • Following our advice, if we give you any specific instructions about water use after maintenance or repairs.

Keeping Everyone Safe

To keep everyone safe, we:

  • Make sure hot water is stored and distributed at safe temperatures.
  • Prevent water from sitting still or stagnating in pipes.
  • Remove unused pipework ( dead legs ) that could cause bacteria growth.
  • Regularly test and treat water systems where needed.
  • Work with health and safety experts if there are any signs of Legionella.