Why do small businesses ignore Health and Safety?

[JohnW1]

Is it ignorance? Complacency? Fear?

The simple fact is that every business of every size must by law follow certain health and safety processes. For small businesses these can be simple and almost without cost. For larger businesses they may be more complex but still inexpensive.

Yet many business owners ignore the simple basic steps that can potentially make their businesses safer and also ensure that they comply with the law. <<Advertising link removed>> We have attempted to de-mystify the whole process to make it as simple as possible, and yet many businesses are still failing to follow even these simple steps.

It is too late in the worst-case scenario after an accident has happened. By following a few very simple steps now, accidents may be prevented and businesses will be on the right side of the law.

So why are small business owners ignoring health and safety?


Puzzled . . .


John

 

[Big Pete]

Is it ignorance? Complacency? Fear?

The simple fact is that every business of every size must by law follow certain health and safety processes. For small businesses these can be simple and almost without cost. For larger businesses they may be more complex but still inexpensive.

Yet many business owners ignore the simple basic steps that can potentially make their businesses safer and also ensure that they comply with the law. We have attempted to de-mystify the whole process to make it as simple as possible, and yet many businesses are still failing to follow even these simple steps.

It is too late in the worst-case scenario after an accident has happened. By following a few very simple steps now, accidents may be prevented and businesses will be on the right side of the law.

So why are small business owners ignoring health and safety?


Puzzled . . .


John

Because Health and safety has gone way over the top , and kills Industry hence why Britain suffers in Manufacturing Industry..

Silly stuff like " A Warning label which is on a Hot water Tap that says Danger Hot Water "

 

[JohnW1]

I know exactly what you mean Pete. But is it health and safety that's to blame or the so called 'compensation culture'?

Or is it really more that the only news that makes the news is the weird stuff, and that in truth the vast majority of common sense health and safety is useful?

Unfortunately ignoring health and safety is still not the answer for businesses - without taking some simple steps they are leaving themselves wide open in the event of an accident.

 

[Zeno]

The health & safety legislation was brought in to prevent deaths and serious injury in high risk workplaces - construction sites, factories etc.

The interpetation & implementation of this has mutated into the current system where you have to have a diploma, safety certificate, gloves & forklift (with appropriate training for that) to move a cardboard box from one side of the room to the other.

This sort of nonsense is OK for large companies & local authorities where they have budgets for this sort of thing but for small companies the cost is an unwanted burden (that I would be frankly amazed if has prevented injury).

 

[Ashley_Price]

This wouldn't be a thinly disguised advert for your website, would it?

After all, as a firm that offers "Business learning", surely you should know exactly why small businesses ignore health and safety? If you don't know then how are you marketing to small businesses?

Mind you, as long as the information is completely free and people don't have to give any more than their email address to receive the report, I don't see the harm in a little self-promotion.

 

[JohnW1]

Ashley_Price - Thanks for the comment - as you say the guide is completely free with just an email registration. And although we provide a large range of free business training, it doesn't mean that we have all of the answers, sometimes knowing the questions is the first step.

So the question still stands I'm afraid. I really don't know why small businesses ignore health and safety - this post is partly market research to help me to understand, and in that way help to get the message across more effectively.

I think Zeno's comment is more typical of the small business owner's concern, but in truth it is a long way from the actual requirements on small businesses - although I concede that if your main source of information on health and safety is the press, then this is a very reasonable conclusion.

 

[Zeno]

I think Zeno's comment is more typical of the small business owner's concern, but in truth it is a long way from the actual requirements on small businesses - although I concede that if your main source of information on health and safety is the press, then this is a very reasonable conclusion.

Main source is the drivel advertisements that lands on my desk/inbox.

Thankfully I don't employ anyone because I would not know where to start. My local authority has recently introduced new rules regarding first aiders where it now seems that most businesses with employees are required to have one with a certificate obtained from a two day course with referesher training.

I barely have to do that in CPD.

 

[Eagle]

Silly stuff like " A Warning label which is on a Hot water Tap that says Danger Hot Water "

"Warning: this sign has sharp edges"

 

[JohnW1]

"Warning: this sign has sharp edges"

- thanks Eagle ! !

Zeno - even though you don't employ anyone, there are still a couple of health and safety processes you need to look at - nothing too arduous or time-consuming but necessary.

 

[longleaf1]

I disagree with you on two comments. One is that small businesses ignore H&S, we don't, ignore is a strong word and two that it is inexpensive, its very expensive to implement everything that needs doing.

I have to pay my lads for an hour to sit in an induction babbling on about a load of crap about no smoking, steelcap boots etc that is plain common sense! If I have a gang of 3 thats costly already then they can't just wear normal hi vis, no it has to be RWS logo'd - I do this anyway but the point is its another un neccessary cost!

I really could go on for hours ranting but it really pees me off when companies like yourselves begin to lecture and actually have no idea.

 

[Bri]

I read the planting instructions on a clematis yesterday ' THIS IS A GARDEN PLANT, NOT FOR EATING'.

We are being made into zombies by this namby pamby society.

Its not

Is it ignorance? Complacency? Fear?

Its the pure use of common sense.

I know when to stop when I climb up a ladder.

I'm sorry kids I'm not going to be home for tea tonight I'm just going to overstretch at the top of this ladder and fall off and kill myself.

Theres oil on that floor, hmmm, speed of brain and association with facts about oil = danger, I'll walk around it or I will clean it up.

Small businesses dont need this hyperbole they need to exercise common sense.

 

[JohnW1]

Ahh - rws - sorry, my fault for unclear wording. I don't mean to imply that all small businesses ignore H&S - obviously you and many more like you don't.

I guess the full, better worded question would be 'Where the owners of small businesses ignore health and safety, what are the main reasons for this? Is it that they don't think it applies to them (ignorance)? That they don't think they need to worry about it (complacency)? Or that they are afraid that if they start looking into it they will be buried in a mountain of paperwork (fear)?'

And sorry if it pees you off - but I am not lecturing but trying to understand where the main barriers are so that we can better help small businesses.

 

[crossdaz]

I guess the full, better worded question would be 'Where the owners of small businesses ignore health and safety, what are the main reasons for this? Is it that they don't think it applies to them (ignorance)? That they don't think they need to worry about it (complacency)? Or that they are afraid that if they start looking into it they will be buried in a mountain of paperwork (fear)?'

It's partly complacency, part ignorance and mainly the 'it won't happen to me' attitude.
I like to think I have a fair amount of common sense but I've had my fair share or accidents which could easily have been avoided.
I also know a few people who have been killed in the most random and unlikely of circumstances. Walk around any major fit-out or construction project and you'll soon see a range of examples of sensible people doing the most stupid things.

Part of the reason that H&S has acquired a bad name is mainly down to insurance companies and over zealous H&S officers attempting to eliminate any risk whatsoever - which as we know, just isn't possible.
That said people do get killed and severely injured week in and week out - you just don't hear about it very often.

 

[Bri]

Best I saw recently, labourer using a youngmans as a ladder. Inevitable happened and now he has an injured back.

 

[UKSBD]

Best I saw recently, labourer using a youngmans as a ladder. Inevitable happened and now he has an injured back.

Yes, but should he be trained and instructed that a youngman board isn't a ladder or is it just common sense?

 

[Dawg]

First there was an workman.
He had an accident.
Then there was an official to advise on not having accidents.
He became a bureaucracy.
Then there was a consultant to help the bureaucrats understand what they were doing.
But the workmen didn't understand consultant blather.
Then there was a 'publisher' who rewrote the consultants rewrite of the bureaucracy's rewrite of the official's report of the workman's version of the accident.
And we, the small businesses, have to pay for them all.


(And before squeals of 'it's free!' shatter the calm: ain't no free lunch...)

 

[crossdaz]

Yes, but should he be trained and instructed that a youngman board isn't a ladder or is it just common sense?

Well why would you employ such a person in the first place?
Sheep walk off cliffs - who's to blame - the sheep for being stupid or the farmer who thinks it's cheaper than putting a fence up?

 

[Atilla]

I disagree with you on two comments. One is that small businesses ignore H&S, we don't, ignore is a strong word and two that it is inexpensive, its very expensive to implement everything that needs doing.

I have to pay my lads for an hour to sit in an induction babbling on about a load of crap about no smoking, steelcap boots etc that is plain common sense! If I have a gang of 3 thats costly already then they can't just wear normal hi vis, no it has to be RWS logo'd - I do this anyway but the point is its another un neccessary cost!

I really could go on for hours ranting but it really pees me off when companies like yourselves begin to lecture and actually have no idea.

Why does it cost you for the lads time in the inductions?
That should have been included in your price.

 

[cjd]

I read the planting instructions on a clematis yesterday ' THIS IS A GARDEN PLANT, NOT FOR EATING'.

I'm afraid that this is a case of the company issuing the label being idiots, not H&S requiring it. For some reason there seems to be something in the British psyche that actually WANTS to believe the nonsense peddled by the Daily Moan about 'elf and safety'. It really is tosh. It's about time we all got a grip.

We had a similar sort of thread about clearing the snow off your path after Christmas - it's 99.995% myth. I challenge anybody to produce the legal requirement to issue that warning or anything similar.

 

[paultnl]

Even HSE are fed up with the tosh that gets put about in thier name.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/myth/index.htm

This is my favourate http://www.hse.gov.uk/myth/apr09.htm

 

[bdw]

JohnW1 what I cannot help thinking is why someone like you, who is in the business has to come onto a public forum and ask laymen the answer to a question like this? Shouldn't you be telling us?

This wouldn't be a thinly disguised advert for your website, would it?

Lots of people come in here and start discussions like this to attract attention to their businesses. Two links were dropped (one of which has since been removed) to a free leaflet, which just happened to advertise all of the other services offered.
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[David Griffiths]

. . . i.e. no cost -

Apart from giving your email address, which can be very costly.

And presumably the leaflet contains a few adverts?

 

[JohnW1]

JohnW1 what I cannot help thinking is why someone like you, who is in the business has to come onto a public forum and ask laymen the answer to a question like this? Shouldn't you be telling us?


Lots of people come in here and start discussions like this to attract attention to their businesses. Two links were dropped (one of which has since been removed) to a free leaflet, which just happened to advertise all of the other services offered.
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Why am I asking small business owners? Because I never presume to know all the answers and this is an excellent forum to elicit the thoughts of real people. If we can understand why people don't engage with Health and Safety, then we can make it easier for them to do so.

And are you talking about a free leaflet from my company? Because there isn't one :| On our website we have a free Health & Safety guide which is totally web based, and does not contain advertising for anything. The whole site is a free business resource and, yes, while on the site you can no doubt see the other free resources, but exactly what is wrong with that? When I visit your website I can see a whole range of services that you offer :|:|

 

[thecyclingartist]

I know one small business locally who was given H&S info by the local council, read it, and realised that specific document didn't apply to him because he had no employees. (he did have contractors but the council documents clearly stated "5 or more employees") Sad but true. His building had many real risks.

I try my best because I work with solvents and such, and it would negate my insurance if anything happened with them and they knew I didn't store them properly. Even small things like overloading power outlets or testing appliances regularly are usually ignored by fellow artists. Our building had a small fire this year because of it. (a very small appliance forgotten overnight, thankfully, little damage) Admittedly, there are a few other stupid things in my studio, but they are always changed if anyone else comes into my space. (liability)

Tina.

 

[JohnW1]

Apart from giving your email address, which can be very costly.

And presumably the leaflet contains a few adverts?

Giving your email address - costly? I really don't follow. If you are worried that an email address you register on my company's site may be targeted by spammers, then simply set one up specifically for that purpose, and if you are unhappy then delete it.

However, here are the facts. Since I joined this forum I have received two email newsletters from it each containing three 'sponsors'. Spamming - no I don't think so - but in the same time period, members of my company's website have received no newsletters or emails of any sort. Oh, and when you register on our site, you can tick a box that opts out of any email newsletters at all.

And there isn't a leaflet - it's a complete online guide designed to make health and safety as simple as possible. And, no, it isn't covered in adverts.

David, I know from our previous online discussions that you find our concept difficult to understand but all of the content of our website is free.

I would be very happy for you to register and then decide if we are spammers or whatever else you fear we may be doing.

 

[bdw]

The whole site is a free business resource and, yes, while on the site you can no doubt see the other free resources, but exactly what is wrong with that? When I visit your website I can see a whole range of services that you offer

My attention was drawn to this because the moderators chose to remove an advertising link from your original post. Like many business forums the information in here is often diluted by opportunists who have no real reason for posting other than self promotion. I am not saying that is what you are doing but clearly it looked like that to the moderators.

The cynic in me tells me that the link to your website (which you have again posted) tells me only that there must be some other motive for providing "free" information. No real business operates without income.
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[JohnW1]

I know one small business locally who was given H&S info by the local council, read it, and realised that specific document didn't apply to him because he had no employees. (he did have contractors but the council documents clearly stated "5 or more employees") Sad but true. His building had many real risks.

I try my best because I work with solvents and such, and it would negate my insurance if anything happened with them and they knew I didn't store them properly. Even small things like overloading power outlets or testing appliances regularly are usually ignored by fellow artists. Our building had a small fire this year because of it. (a very small appliance forgotten overnight, thankfully, little damage) Admittedly, there are a few other stupid things in my studio, but they are always changed if anyone else comes into my space. (liability)

Tina.

Hi Tina - thanks for the input. Sorry to hear about the fire - thank goodness it wasn't any worse ! !

Your fellow local business seems to be reading what he wants to in the council leaflets because even if he has no employees then there are still a number of important issues that he needs to address.

John

 

[longleaf1]

Why does it cost you for the lads time in the inductions?
That should have been included in your price.

I'm not going to price the induction separately, charge out a day rate to the customer so yes it is factored in, point is its an hour they are sat in an induction when they could be working.

 

[JohnW1]

The cynic in me tells me that the link to your website (which you have again posted) tells me only that there must be some other motive for providing "free" information. No real business operates without income.
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Hi bdw

You are correct - no business operates without income.

We have other income streams that are totally independent of this website which is why we have decided to provide all of the resources on it free of charge. Is that a bad thing :|

I hope that helps to explain our motivation?

 

[vvaannmmaann]

Did the two images I posted actually offend anyone? Or where they removed for Health and Safety reasons?

 

[Bri]

I'm not going to price the induction separately, charge out a day rate to the customer so yes it is factored in, point is its an hour they are sat in an induction when they could be working.

Like Attilla says, we do the same. Find out before hand as the majority of factories, plants etc make you have an induction and we factor per man into the quote. We also factor in that in that the induction has to take place no later than 9.am.Nothing worse than hanging around because the trainer is busy elswhere and cant get to you until 12.00, thats four hours work down the drain.

 

[KM-Tiger]

Yet many business owners ignore the simple basic steps

You've answered your own question there.

For anyone involved in more than shuffling paper and paper clips the steps are neither simple nor basic. It's all rather complicated and involved, and many use outside help to sort it out.

I think there would be better compliance if it was simple and basic.