Back to health and safety basics for small businesses

A large portion of small businesses have admitted to flouting health and safety laws, a recent report by the St John Ambulance charity has shown.

The survey’s findings revealed that 79% of the 2,800 small businesses surveyed have admitted to having periods of time when no first aid trained staff were present in the workplace. A further 15% of small firms have never carried out a risk assessment within the workplace.

Richard Evens, Training and Marketing Director at St John's Ambulance, stated:

“In the last year there have been over 1100 cases of businesses being taken to court because of health and safety failings, resulting in 87% being convicted.”

Mr Evens said that the repercussions of not having adequate health and safety could be immense for the safety of the workforce as well as legally and financially, adding:

“Health and safety is certainly not something that should be skimped on but we realise that smaller businesses can find it daunting when faced with the prospect of dealing with risk assessments, protocols and legal obligations without having the same resources as large companies.”

It is hoped that the charity’s ‘Health and safety basics course’ will help to clear up any confusion amongst small firms and ensure employers become fully proficient in health and safety practice.

18/02/10