The UK’s Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has warned that the British Health and Safety regime holds back the growth of small businesses that would otherwise be able to create more jobs.  Small firms employ almost sixty per cent of the private sector workforce and therefore this burden is stifling the UK economy.

This warning comes as the FSB publishes a report, based on a survey of 1,700 small firms, examining the impact of Health and Safety legislation.

The report examines -

• the burden of Health and Safety legislation and compliance,
• the impact of the new Fire Safety Order regime,
• the nature of Health and Safety inspections,
• Employers’ Liability, Compulsory Insurance
• and health in the workplace, including the requirements of business from the NHS.

The report is based on a survey that found that 72% of small firms believed that the administrative requirements of Health and Safety legislation are more bureaucratic than they were five years ago. (more…)