Member Article

Health and Safety lifeline For SMEs

Firms in the region are being thrown a lifeline by a Coventry insurance specialist that could save them from the costly pitfalls of not complying with health and safety legislation.

An online tool designed for small and medium-sized enterprises highlights sector specific requirements for health and safety as well as risk management, and helps identify gaps in existing company policies.

The bespoke package not only protects SMEs from being exposed to health and safety liabilities but could also result in lower commercial insurance premiums, according to Leigh Mackey.

Leigh, managing director of Coventry-based Inspire Insurance Services, said: “SMEs can often fall short because they are not fully aware of their responsibilities under health and safety law which can be a minefield.

“We have now started to provide this online suite of tools to our customers for free so that they can counter those shortfalls.

“It will give them the support and information to allow them to implement the correct procedures specific to their industry and reduce the risk of being held liable for accidents and injuries at work.”

It also allows access to relevant and up-to-date guidance on health and safety issues and legislative changes through regular bulletins to help avoid claims, financial penalties and higher insurance premiums.

Leigh added: “If a business is able to provide evidence to an insurer that it has the correct procedures in place then a more lenient view is far more likely to be taken with regards to the pricing of a policy.

“By enabling businesses to protect themselves from exposure to risks, it’s also protecting insurers because the likelihood of claims will be far less.”

Having set up his own company in 2010, Leigh believes the online tool is of particular benefit to start-ups with a considerable financial saving to be made from access to free support and from ensuring they comply with the law.

He said: “When I was establishing my company, I relied on similar support for HR and employment law as I didn’t have the knowledge and expertise in that area.

“That proved to be invaluable when it came to recruiting staff to cope with our expansion and that level of support continues to be hugely beneficial in adapting to the changing needs of a growing business.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Pete Squires .