EEF launches Health & Safety service for small manufacturers

The new service is in response to research from EEF and the Health & Safety Executive which shows that small businesses do want to manage health and safety effectively but they don't have the time, knowledge, skills or financial resource. It also comes against the backdrop of increasing pressure on businesses to take responsibility for health and safety, with increasing fines and prison sentences, pressure from consumers and the public.

In response EEF has put together a package that takes small businesses through the complexities and jargon often associated with health & safety and provides the practical expertise, tools and resources that will enable the company to take ownership of risk management.

The tailored advice begins with an on-site evaluation of 10 key health and safety aspects, working with senior management to understand business objectives and drivers for health and safety. It is followed by a graded action plan focussed on delivering practical action and priorities, with access to online guidance covering tools, model documents and template policies. All this is delivered by one of EEF's Health and Safety experts, who becomes a mentor for the company.

Furthermore the new package provides access to EEF member briefings which include regular Health & safety updates and preferential rates for further training and consultancy.

Commenting, Steve Jackson Director of Health, Safety & Sustainability at EEF, says: "Health and Safety is now much more then what the law says and more about being responsible and, taking responsibility for, the health and safety of the workforce. For many SMEs, however, this can often appear a daunting task being caught up in jargon or without the skills and resource to manage it effectively.

"This new cost-effective service takes the senior team at companies on a journey towards a practical understanding of their responsibilities so that they can effectively mage risk and promote a culture of best practice approach to health and safety."

To learn more about this new specialist health & safety service visit www.eef.org.uk/safesme.