Press Release

Small businesses and migrant workers need more health and safety help

Thursday, July 3 2008

Leading occupational health and safety charity, The British Safety Council (BSC) today welcomed the  Government’s response to the Work and Pensions Committee’s inquiry into the role and effectiveness of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), in regulating workplace health and safety in Great Britain.

Brian Nimick, Chief Executive of the BSC said: "The BSC recognises the importance of the Work and Pensions Committee’s recent inquiry into the work of the HSE. The Committee in its report and the Government in its response, make clear that much more needs to be done by all concerned parties if we are to meet the challenging targets we have in place for reducing ill-health and injury in the workplace and resulting days lost. We also acknowledge the breadth of issues covered by Committee members in their inquiry and the interest shown by a wide range of stakeholders who submitted evidence."

"We welcome the Government’s response to the recommendation concerning the need for useful and comprehensive information and guidance to be accessible to all employers, SMEs in particular. We know from our own evidence, that small businesses struggle in getting to grips with the complexity surrounding their legal responsibilities for health and safety.

"The BSC is committed to continuing its work with small business organisations, Government, regulators and others to help business get access to comprehensive, proportionate and authoritative advice and guidance in order to effectively control health and safety risks in the workplace." 

"It is estimated that there are some two million migrant workers currently working in the UK and the evidence base concerning health and safety risks faced by migrant workers needs to be dramatically improved. The BSC believes that not only do we need to better understand the particular risks faced by migrant workers – some resulting from inadequate training, advice and poor communications – but we need to demonstrate more visibly that our society is serious about its commitment to protect the health and safety of all workers."

Mr Nimick finished: "Finally, the BSC welcomes the Government’s reinforcement of the key message – that sensible safety is an enabler not an impediment.  Much has been done by the BSC, professional bodies, Government and the regulator to address misunderstanding of the management of risks to health and safety. The BSC is committed to continuing  its work to create a better understanding of the vital  role that  sensible health and safety management plays in  the health, safety and well-being of all."

For more information on the British Safety Council and the work it carries out, visit www.britsafe.org