‘Smaller Firms Are Often Unaware Of Their Legal Duties’, Warn Safety Specialists

March 30, 2009 - PRLog -- ‘Smaller firms are often unaware of their legal duties’, warns safety equipment and service specialists, Total Protection UK, as recent figures released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) paints a dim picture of the safeguards laid out by many in the property and construction sector.

The statement was a stark wake up call to many, after the HSE found that 340 people died between 1999 and 2007 while working in the property and construction sector and last year alone these industries were responsible for 52% of construction fatalities with electrocution and accidents from working at height accounting for many of these.

Sales and Marketing director, Mark Haylett from Total Protection UK, who are the leading firm offering breathing apparatus, Confined Space Equipment, Gas Detection and height safety equipment, said, “It seems that many site managers are cutting corners, especially during the economic downturn for a number of reasons.  These reasons can stem from the added cost to having bigger fish to fry since the downturn took hold last summer.”

Many smaller firms fail to realise that they do in fact have a legal obligation to their employees under The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, to ensure that employers take active steps to assess the various risks to safety and take measures to tackle them.  One of the main requirements under the act is that employers carry out risk assessments and record the significant findings, and make the necessary arrangements to implement the measures needed.  The act also requires employers to put emergency procedures in place and offer full training to their workforce to help prevent work-based accidents before they occur.

Mr Haylett added, “Sure it can be tempting to cut costs wherever necessary, especially during the financially difficult times, but health and safety equipment can be purchased at very reasonable prices- and can you put a price on the lives of your employees?”

22 year-old Nimesh Joshi from Leicester, had an accident at work six years ago, he said, “I was at work and went into the warehouse to bring stock into the shop, lost my balance and hit my head on a crate of stock.  I passed out and although I was wearing a high visibility vest, that was it in terms of health and safety equipment, I woke up 15 minutes later, I went to report it but I was laughed at.”

Mr Haylett added, “Nimesh’s experience just goes to show that cutting corners does exist and more should be done to nip this sort of behaviour in the bud.  The powers that be are still governing the industry, even though the credit crunch is in full swing, and falling sales will not be accepted as an excuse for inadequate safety measures at work.” For more information on safety equipment, please visit the Total Protection UK site at www.totalprotectionuk.com
About Total Protection

Total Protection (UK) Limited is a specialist in the supply of Safety Equipment and Services. They pride themselves on delivering first class service and products to a broad spectrum of industries including Pharmaceuticals, Chemical, Oil & Gas, Utilities and Transportation & Construction. With a team of Product Specialists, Total Protection (UK) Limited bases its success and core values on the ability to respond quickly and effectively to your requirements. As they work alongside a range of manufacturers and suppliers, they can deliver a large portfolio of the highest quality safety products within the marketplace at very competitive prices. They can also offer a complete range of services to give you the flexibility when purchasing, servicing or hiring safety equipment.

Editor’s Note: Total Protection is represented by search engine optimisation agency, Top Position. Please direct all press queries to Tina Clough. Email: tina@topposition.co.uk or call: 01623 726233