Health and safety: small businesses

Health and safety legislation applies to all work places, small businesses and the self-employed. There is recognition that businesses should not be overburdened with any unnecessary red tape and that a proportionate approach to compliance should be taken. The Health and Safety Executive has produced guidance aimed at small businesses and government reviews by Lord Young and Professor Ragnar Löfstedt aim to simplify the legislation (much of it European in origin) while securing improvements to safety at work.