Businesses ‘should consider outside help’ for safety rules

Posted 05/06/2011

Firms hoping not to fall foul of employment law regulations regarding health and safety in the workplace may like to consider bringing in outside help if they are struggling to understand their requirements.

This is the view of Roger Bibbings, occupational safety adviser at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, who noted many companies have to deal with “complex risk issues” that are beyond their expertise.

According to a recent study by the British Chambers of Commerce, 47 per cent of businesses find health and safety regulations a burden and may have difficulty meeting them.

Mr Bibbings suggested bringing in outside help could be a good way for firms to be confident they are doing all that is required of them.

“They may need [an] outside [perspective] to help them understand where they are now and what they need to do next,” he said.

This approach may also provide firms with some protection from personal injury claims if they ensure all necessary steps have been taken to minimise any potential risks to their employees and customers.