FSB advises firms to avoid shortcuts on safety

Categories: General Health and Safety |


FSB advises firms to avoid shortcuts on safety Smaller firms should not take shortcuts on health and safety procedures to try and balance their books in the current financial climate, the Forum of Private Business (FPB) has warned.

Martin Mulholland, health and safety adviser at the FPB, advised firms that health and safety breaches could now be treated as seriously as criminal offences.

His views come after the Health and Safety Offences Act 2008 became effective on Friday, which gave courts the option to imprison employers for serious offences.

It also increased the fines that employers can face to £20,000.

But Mr Mulholland commented: "For those companies which are already committing sufficient resources to ensuring their operations are undertaken in ways that are safe … there should be no undue concern."

One way businesses can ensure they are legally compliant is to supply and train staff in the use of personal protective equipment, such as safety gloves and hi vis clothing.ADNFCR-1200-ID-18985284-ADNFCR

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