BERR reforms “will reduce health and safety costs”

07/08/08 11:40

Health and safety reforms could save small businesses up to £300m, according to the Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR).

The report, published by the Better Regulation Executive (BRE) revealed the average company spends more than 20 hours a year, or more than £350, on administration in order to meet stringent health and safety requirements.

The report’s authors claimed giving businesses better advice and support could help them cut the time spent on these processes by five hours per company, saving businesses £150m a year.

It was also revealed in the report’s findings that the estimated 1,500 health and safety specialist consultancy firms in the UK now have annual sales of more than £1bn. However, according to the research, some firms are paying such companies for support they could do more cheaply in-house or in some cases don’t even need.

It is claimed that if just 20% of low risk businesses turned to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for basic support instead, they could make an annual £140m saving.

In order for small firms and those deemed low risk to be able to turn to the HSE for advice there needs to be some improvements to the current system. Recommendations from the report include the provision of improved web-based and telephone support and advice on whether or not to call in the help of external consultancies.

Another recommendation is aimed at reducing the burden of countless health and safety inspections and will develop a new, single assurance scheme so small businesses just have one inspection to deal with.

Secretary of state for business John Hutton claimed that the UK “has one of the best workplace safety records in the world” but says the problem lies with the “poor” perception of health and safety regulation.

“Introducing simple steps, such as making information more easily available and getting better advice to firms that need it, will help save time and money for UK business. Cutting the amount of paperwork for low-risk businesses, and making complex regulations easier to understand will also help to create safer environments for workers and the public,” he concluded.