Steps to reduce the burden of health and safety regulations on businesses have been welcomed by the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS).
The new measures, from Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), include the publication of a sample health and safety risk assessment that can be used as a guide for retailers to make sure their evaluations are up to date and include all the necessary checks.
ACS has been working closely with the HSE to develop the guidelines, which will reduce the cost and complexity of writing a risk assessment for retailers.
Plans to simplify consumer and employment law, as well as introduce resources and tools for employers to help understand what their rights and responsibilities are, have also been set out by the government.
There will also be a greater emphasis on producing guidance for employers on new regulation earlier, and making sure it is better communicated to help businesses understand and implement new legislation more easily.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “We welcome this commitment from BERR and the HSE to tackle the regulatory burden which has such a damaging effect on small retailers. It is crucial that all regulation is minimised to ensure retailers can spend less time form-filling and more time focused on customers.
“The new sample risk assessment will give retailers a guide that will allow them to carry out a comprehensive risk assessment without having to spend significant time and money working out the complexities of what should be included. We have worked closely with the HSE to develop this template, which will be of great benefit to retailers.
“Now we need further action from the government to follow through with these proposals to significantly reduce the burden of regulation on retailers, helping them to run safe and successful businesses.”
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