Bibby Consulting and Support compliance specialists, respond to the government’s ‘Red Tape Challenge’.

Reducing red tape for businesses can only be a good thing, compliance specialist Bibby Consulting & Support has said in response to claims that the government’s ‘Red Tape Challenge’ might actually mean more work for companies as opposed to less.

The Business Secretary, Vince Cable, has revealed that many visitors to the ‘Red Tape Challenge’ website have called for existing regulations to be maintained or even increased. The suggestion is that fewer regulations could mean diluted rights and protections, particularly in health & safety.

Although he said the site had been “bombarded” by such messages, Cable insisted that one of the government’s top priorities was to reduce the amount of regulation that small companies and start-up businesses face. But he warned companies: “Please don’t pretend this is easy.”

Bibby Consulting & Support understands that many regulations are essential to protect businesses and employees but also supports efforts to minimise the amount of complex legislation that companies have to abide by and which has been generated over the years.

Managing Director Michael Slade says: “Clearly, it is in everybody’s interest to have health and safety safeguards within businesses to ensure that all staff members are able to work in a safe environment. This is not in dispute.”

“However, it also needs to be recognised that there is a considerable amount of employment law regulation that does nothing to help businesses work at maximum efficiency and to expand as they become more successful. As long as rights are maintained, we consider the time and effort required to cut down on regulation to be a very worthwhile investment.

Unfortunately however recent reports state that the site currently appears to be used more by members of the public and consumer groups who are expressing a one-sided view that existing regulations should be maintained or more worryingly still, increased. We are strongly urging business leaders to add their own views and ensure that their voices are heard.”

For employment law specialists and health and safety advisors, consult Bibby Consulting & Support http://www.bibbycas.com

Health and Safety shouldn’t interrupt how you do business, but by making your business safer you can reduce your insurance and absence costs too.

Fire Risk Assessments
The Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order (2005)
40% of businesses never recover from the effects of a major fire with the loss of key staff due to temporary closure. The Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order (2005) now requires you to manage the risk of fire in your organisation, but do you really know what is expected of you?  The first hurdle to overcome is to carry out a Fire Risk Assessment; without one, your insurance company will refuse cover in the event that you make a claim. But for many businesses carrying out their own Fire Risk Assessment isn’t practical unless they have dedicated Health and Safety teams as well as guidance from health and safety advisors.

COSHH 2004 (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) Regulations
How the regulations affect your business
The COSHH Regulations require employers to manage the risk to staff and others who may be exposed to hazardous substances in the workplace.
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