Health and Safety for small Businesses
A recent survey has suggested that small businesses revealed that government regulations and paperwork were the factors most hindering their growth last year.
In 2005, almost a fifth (19 per cent) of all respondents who participated in the Natwest SERTeam/SBRT Quarterly Survey of Small Business in Britain cited red tape as the greatest barrier restricting their potential.
The results indicate the changing nature of the issues which keep small business owners awake at night. The survey shows, for instance, that in the late 80s and early 90s, interest rates and the economy were regarded as the key challenge for small businesses as a recession hit small businesses in the UK hard.
Whether they like them or not though, there are a number of legal requirements specifically in the area of health and safety which should be adhered to. Small business owners who turn a blind eye to legislation that they believe is oppressive will be rueing their casual approach if they ending up having to meet expensive costs due to employee illness or injury.
The Health and Safety Executive has compiled a number of free leaflets, such as An Introduction to Health and Safety: Health and Safety in Small Businesses, which provides important guidelines for small businesses as to correct procedure in this area.
Just some of the factors which the Health and Safety Executive advises employers to do to ensure that they have a coherent health and safety policy include providing first-aid facilities, drawing up a health and safety policy statement as well as making sure that the working environment meets requirements relating to areas such as ventilation, office temperature and lighting.
Some of the other aspects which you may like to consider include writing out a health and safety policy if there are five or more employees in your company, providing training on the subject in the workplace and providing good access to posters and leaflets which will inform your colleagues further on key issues.
Much legislation has recently come into effect regarding health and safety in the workplace, an example of regulations small business owners would be advised to take heed of to avoid further hassle.
From April 6th of this year, the Control of Noises at Work Regulations came into force, replacing the existing regulations set up in 1989. The regulation requires employers to assess risks to their employees from noise at work and take action to reduce the noise exposure that produces those risks.
Clearly, many small businesses will not be producing excessive noise but the example shows that by following the regulation set out, many employers will be able to enhance the working environment and life of their employees.
This could have a beneficial effect on employees' productivity, their motivation levels and their desire to be a valued member of the business, factors which are all likely to increase a business owners' profitability.
In 2005, almost a fifth (19 per cent) of all respondents who participated in the Natwest SERTeam/SBRT Quarterly Survey of Small Business in Britain cited red tape as the greatest barrier restricting their potential.
The results indicate the changing nature of the issues which keep small business owners awake at night. The survey shows, for instance, that in the late 80s and early 90s, interest rates and the economy were regarded as the key challenge for small businesses as a recession hit small businesses in the UK hard.
Whether they like them or not though, there are a number of legal requirements specifically in the area of health and safety which should be adhered to. Small business owners who turn a blind eye to legislation that they believe is oppressive will be rueing their casual approach if they ending up having to meet expensive costs due to employee illness or injury.
The Health and Safety Executive has compiled a number of free leaflets, such as An Introduction to Health and Safety: Health and Safety in Small Businesses, which provides important guidelines for small businesses as to correct procedure in this area.
Just some of the factors which the Health and Safety Executive advises employers to do to ensure that they have a coherent health and safety policy include providing first-aid facilities, drawing up a health and safety policy statement as well as making sure that the working environment meets requirements relating to areas such as ventilation, office temperature and lighting.
Some of the other aspects which you may like to consider include writing out a health and safety policy if there are five or more employees in your company, providing training on the subject in the workplace and providing good access to posters and leaflets which will inform your colleagues further on key issues.
Much legislation has recently come into effect regarding health and safety in the workplace, an example of regulations small business owners would be advised to take heed of to avoid further hassle.
From April 6th of this year, the Control of Noises at Work Regulations came into force, replacing the existing regulations set up in 1989. The regulation requires employers to assess risks to their employees from noise at work and take action to reduce the noise exposure that produces those risks.
Clearly, many small businesses will not be producing excessive noise but the example shows that by following the regulation set out, many employers will be able to enhance the working environment and life of their employees.
This could have a beneficial effect on employees' productivity, their motivation levels and their desire to be a valued member of the business, factors which are all likely to increase a business owners' profitability.
posted by businessextra at
4/26/2006 11:20:00 AM
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