Whistleblowing Safety Complaint Letter: Free Template and What to Include

If you need to make a protected disclosure about serious health and safety violations to the HSE, a written letter is the recommended first step — it creates a clear record and shows you're pursuing the matter formally. Below is what a strong whistleblowing safety complaint should include.

What this letter needs to cover

• State clearly this is a protected disclosure
• Describe the health and safety wrongdoing with facts and dates
• Explain why the worker reasonably believes this is in the public interest
• Identify the recipient as appropriate for receiving the disclosure
• Request urgent investigation and a written response

What makes a health and safety disclosure "protected"

Under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (as incorporated into the Employment Rights Act 1996), disclosing serious health and safety violations can qualify as a protected disclosure — provided you reasonably believe the disclosure is made in the public interest and tends to show a danger to health and safety has occurred, is occurring, or is likely to occur.

What to include before you send it

• A clear, factual description of the specific health and safety violation
• Why you believe it represents a serious, ongoing risk
• Any evidence supporting your disclosure
• Confirmation you're making this disclosure to the HSE as an appropriate prescribed body

Why your protection as a whistleblower matters here

If you're subjected to any detriment or dismissal because you made this disclosure, this is automatically unfair and carries no cap on compensation if successful at tribunal — this is one of the strongest protections in UK employment law, reflecting how seriously genuine safety whistleblowing is treated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to raise this internally first before going to the HSE?
Not necessarily for health and safety matters, particularly where there's genuine urgency or you reasonably believe internal reporting would be ineffective or lead to retaliation.

What if I'm not sure whether my concern is serious enough to qualify?
For a disclosure to the HSE, you need to reasonably believe it is in the public interest, that it shows a danger to health and safety, and that the information and any allegation in it are substantially true — you don't need conclusive proof.

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Postcode]
[Name of Recipient, e.g. Whistleblowing Officer / Senior Manager]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
[Company Postcode]
[Date]

Dear [Name],

Subject: Protected disclosure – workplace health and safety

This is a protected disclosure under the Employment Rights Act 1996, as amended by the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998. I am sending it to you because [e.g. you are the named whistleblowing contact in the company policy].

I reasonably believe this shows that the health and safety of individuals is being, or is likely to be, put in danger:
• [e.g. the ventilation filters in Unit 3 are being bypassed to save money.]
• [e.g. this has happened since [date] and exposes all night-shift workers to fumes.]
• [e.g. I raised it with my line manager on [date], but nothing was done.]

I believe this is in the public interest because [e.g. it puts dozens of workers' health at risk].

Please investigate this urgently and confidentially, and give me a written response.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]