Share

Cutting red tape for business: new guidance on basic health and safety

Health and Safety law applies to all businesses, whatever the size.  A new online resource, Health and safety made simple, provides employers with straightforward step-by-step guidance on what they need to do to achieve a basic level of compliance.

Aimed particularly at low risk small and medium-sized enterprises, the guidance has been developed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in consultation with business organisations.

Health and Safety Made Simple takes businesses through their basic health and safety duties, explaining what to do and how to do it by linking to helpful resources such as online risk assessment tools.  It also signposts users to further information and advice where necessary. The new guidance illustrates that health and safety doesn’t have to be difficult and that in many lower risk workplaces it can be adequately managed in-house.  .

Health and safety made simple was launched in March by Employment Minister Chris Grayling, as part of a package of changes designed to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and promote a proportionate approach to managing health and safety.

Judith Hackitt, Chair of HSE said:

“Managing health and safety needn’t be complicated or costly for businesses. It’s about taking common-sense measures to minimise risks to your employees and members of the public who might be affected by your activities.

“Health and safety made Simple” explains clearly what the law expects and what businesses need to do to comply with it.  It’s a good starting point for any business operating in a low risk working environment.”

www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety

Health and safety made simple is part of a package of resources recently launched by HSE to help employers understand their health and safety duties and avoid unnecessary bureaucracy and expense. Other available resources include online risk assessment tools for low risk premises, detailed guidance on specific topics and a professional register of health and safety consultants to help businesses find reliable external help if they want it.

Health and safety made simple – the basics for business

Key facts

• Health and safety made simple is a new online resource providing businesses with straightforward guidance and information to help them comply with health and safety law. It tells businesses what to do and how to do it, linking to helpful tools such as interactive risk assessments.

• Health and safety made simple has been developed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in partnership with business organisations, including SBTAF members, to ensure it delivers the information and resources that businesses really need.

• Managing health and safety doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive and it shouldn’t be a burden for businesses. Health and safety made simple will support low risk small and medium-sized enterprises in understanding and applying health and safety law, helping them see that in many lower risk workplaces health and safety can be adequately managed in-house.

• Health and safety made simple is part of a package of resources recently launched by HSE to help employers understand their health and safety duties and avoid unnecessary bureaucracy and expense. Other available resources include online risk assessment tools and a professional consultants register for those who choose to get external help.

• Visit Health and safety made simple at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/index.htm An electronic pdf of the guidance is also available to download.