RoSPA launches red tape campaign

A new initiative has been launched by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) cope with health and safety paperwork.

The organisation said that such companies need to be able to carry out health and safety-related procedures without having to complete large amounts of documentation.

SMEs can be particularly affected by this issue as many clients and training providers request proof from these firms that they are compliant with the relevant health and safety standards, RoSPA explained.

Now the society's national occupational safety and health committee is set to conduct an 18-month investigation to establish ways in which SMEs can be aided when faced with "red tape" situations.

"The multitude of assessment, compliance and pre-qualification schemes means businesses that are applying for contracts have to be repeatedly filling in forms to meet the different requirements of each scheme," stated Roger Bibbings, occupational safety adviser at RoSPA.

RoSPA is a registered charity and offers training and information on a variety of topics related to health and safety.