New risk assessment tools save businesses time and money

Date:

21 October 2009

Release No:

93/2009

Businesses are set to save time and money with the launch of new, simplified documents to help get their health and safety arrangements in place.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has developed a new electronic template specially for small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) which combines, into one document, the requirements of a health and safety policy, risk assessment and written record of health and safety arrangements.

Example risk assessments for a range of industries have also been developed to show businesses what a 'good enough' record may look like.

90 per cent of test users of the example risk assessments said they could get their own done more quickly, saving almost half the time on average.

In addition, almost three-quarters of businesses that took part in the survey said the example risk assessments provided were very good or excellent.

Speaking during The European Week for Safety and Health at Work (19-23 October), HSE Chair, Judith Hackitt, said:

"We want to help get the message to small and medium-sized companies that risk assessments needn't be time consuming, bureaucratic or complicated. But they are essential to managing dangers in the workplace. We encourage a common sense approach that is proportionate to the potential risks involved."

"Most employers are already well aware of the risks that exist in their workplaces, making it easy for them to complete risk assessments. The most important aspects of risk assessments are that they need to be acted upon and updated regularly."

HSE has saved businesses more than £400 million since the development of its simplification plan in 2005. The aim was to ensure that health and safety works better for everyone.

HSE is on track to deliver a 25% reduction in administrative burdens by April 2010, taking the total savings to around £500 million.

The electronic templates, worked examples and a simple, no-nonsense guide - '5 steps to risk assessment' - are available at HSE: Risk management - health and safety in the workplace

Notes to editors

1. HSE's mission is to prevent death, injury and ill health in Britain's workplaces. It does so through research, information and advice, promoting training, new or revised regulations and codes of practice, and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement.
2. The survey of 319 test users of the example risk assessments took place in autumn 2008. Feedback from Trade Associations and visiting staff (HSE and LA) was also obtained as part of the evaluation of this initiative. A further evaluation of the impact of the example risk assessments and combined template is due to report in April 2010.
3. The European Week for Safety and Health at Work is part of a larger pan-European campaign of the same name organised by the EU's Occupational Safety and Health Agency (EU-OSHA). In the UK, the campaign is being run in conjunction with the Health and Safety Executive and aims to increase awareness of how workplaces can be made safer and healthier for employees.
4. The HSE works with various social partners and other organisations including the Trade Union Congress (TUC), The Scottish Trade Union Congress (STUC), Trade Union Congress Cymru (TUCC), EEF, The Federation of Small Business (FSB), Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives (SCHWL) and the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) to promote occupational safety.
5. The new strategy 'The Health and Safety of Great Britain: Be part of the solution' was launched in June 2009, designed to reduce the number of workplace accidents and take a common sense approach to ensuring that risk management is an enabler for business not a burden. It can be viewed at The health and safety of Great Britain - HSE's strategy
6. Health and Safety compliance costs for small businesses in Great Britain have reduced by more than 20% since 2006. Much of this is due to the efforts of HSE in reducing the bureaucracy and administrative efforts required by small businesses, whilst still maintaining good standards of health and safety.

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