Firms advised to 'show leadership' in health and safety
Commercial insurance
22nd June 2009
Businesses should show "good leadership" to protect their employees by identifying and reducing risks when they see something dangerous, the chief executive of the Health and Safety Executive has stated.
Geoffrey Podger added that "common sense" should be the cornerstone of health and safety practices, but "if it becomes a purely box-ticking or form-filling exercise then it will become counter-productive".
Addressing the 52nd annual conference of the North West Regional Association of Occupational Health and Safety Groups in Preston, Lancashire, he explained that change is needed in the way in which some firms approach health and safety.
Mr Podger claimed that managers should take "personal responsibility" for protecting employees and should take action when risks are spotted "rather than wasting time filling in a form about it".
Worcestershire law firm Thursfields recently cautioned businesses against making cuts in health and safety spending during the recession as it can place people in danger and be "false economy".
For more information on how Giles can help you with your business insurance, Click here.
