Health and safety advice service launched for small businesses

Helping small and start-up businesses get to grips with workplace health and safety is at the heart of a new service ‘Health and Safety Works NI’ launched today in Belfast.

The new service was developed by the Health & Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) after a major research study found that failure to manage health and safety costs the local economy £500 million each year, through issues such as higher insurance premiums, settlement of claims, lost orders, down time and additional recruitment and training costs.

It was also found that small and start-up businesses are reluctant to seek official advice on health and safety issues.

Speaking at the offices of the new service in Belfast city centre, Bruce Robinson, Permanent Secretary of the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment, said: “Small and start-up businesses are a vital element of Northern Ireland’s economy, and it is essential that we provide appropriate support to allow them to flourish.

“This service is a response to the clear need of smaller businesses for advice on health and safety issues. A team of highly-trained business advisers will provide confidential information and advice on workplace health and safety issues outside of the normal workplace inspection regime. It is our goal to encourage a better and more cost effective approach for both small companies and government by providing advice in this way, without the threat of enforcement.”

Harry McGimpsey of the Federation of Small Businesses said the new initiative would be of an “immense benefit” to small businesses and that he would be encouraging all to avail of the service.

(MB/SP)