23/10/2009 - Health and safety template launched
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have launched a new template to help small and medium-sized businesses complete risk assessments to a satisfactory standard.
The HSE has created an electronic template which combines the requirements of a health and safety policy, risk assessment and written record of health and safety arrangements.
It is hoped that by using the template, small businesses will reduce the time, and therefore money, they spend on health and safety checks.
Examples of risk assessments for a range of industries have also been created, so businesses can see what is considered to be a reasonable standard for the documents.
Of the businesses that have tested the example documents, 90% said they helped them complete their risk assessments in less time, while three-quarters described them as "good" or "very good".
Speaking during The European Week for Safety and Health at Work, 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."
Copyright © Press Association 2009
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