H&S Cash Goes Up In Smoke

Businesses are wasting thousands of pounds...

...on excessive health and safety measures because of bad advice from rogue consultants, an influential group of MPs has warned.

Companies 'getting bad advice'The Government must introduce a system for regulating experts to stop firms bringing in reams of unnecessary red tape, according to the Work and Pensions Select Committee.

However, the MPs also insisted that penalties for those who commit serious breaches of health and safety legislation are too low - and called for companies to be scrutinised more often.

The criticisms were delivered in the cross-party committee's latest report on health and safety in workplaces.

Members praised the Health and Safety Executive for its efforts to debunk "myths" over regulations, such as that Christmas decorations are not allowed in workplaces.

But they warned that many of these examples were the result of firms receiving poor advice from consultants.

The MPs cited evidence from the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, the body which represents consultants, warning that rogue experts could currently operate unchecked.

Richard Jones, Policy and Technical Director, told the MPs: "The sad fact is that anybody can set themselves up as a health and safety consultant and start operating.

"Anybody can call themselves a health and safety adviser without any level of qualification or experience, which we think is wrong."

Committee chairman Terry Rooney said recent rises in fatalities on construction sites were not acceptable, and said the HSE should boost its front-line staff.

"At present businesses can expect an HSE inspection just once every 14.5 years," he said.

"This is not enough to act as a deterrent to those employers tempted to cut corners on health and safety."

He added: "Where duties are not met, penalties must reflect the seriousness of the threat to workers' safety."

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