Insurer Allianz has welcomed government plans to reduce health and safety red tape for lower risk SME businesses.
Under the proposals, put forward by employment minister Chris Grayling, the Health and Safety executive will concentrate on higher risk corporate activity moving away from site visits for safer businesses.
The plans could see inspections in Britain’s workplaces slashed by 11 000 annually, automatic practice inspections targeted on sites such as the nuclear and chemical industries.
Neil Clutterbuck, director of engineering markets at Allianz, said: “Current health and safety regulations can be confusing for small businesses and a simplified approach for low risk employers is a logical solution, as long as the UK’s enviable health and safety record is not compromised.
“There is speculation that this decision will result in an increase in workplace accidents but we will have to wait and see. This change in policy was surely not taken lightly and must be seen against a background of increased national safety awareness.
“It will be imperative that the situation is closely monitored to detect any negative trends and ensure that the number of non-fatal accidents and fatal accidents are kept to a minimum.”
Medico-Legal News Source: PostOnline
