Health and safety inspections cut in anti-red tape drive
Plans to exempt thousands of businesses from health and safety inspections are to be announced by ministers.
Under new rules to be introduced in April 2013, checks will no longer be routinely carried out on premises considered to be low risk, like shops.
Ministers say the checks can place an unnecessary burden on some businesses but some trade unions say it risks the safety of employees and customers.
The government plans to scrap or change more than 3,000 regulations.
It says its drive to cut bureaucracy will save companies millions of pounds.
Under plans to be announced by Business Minister Michael Fallon later, shops, offices, pubs and clubs will no longer face health and safety inspections.
'Burdensome inspections'
Businesses will only face health and safety inspections if they are operating in areas deemed to be higher-risk, such as construction and food production, or if they have had an accident or a track record of poor performance.
Ministers also said legislation would be introduced next month to ensure that businesses will only be held liable for civil damages in health and safety cases if they can be shown to have acted negligently.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said businesses need to focus on creating jobs and growth rather than "being tied up in unnecessary red tape".
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19540318
Edited By Ady1 on 10/09/2012 09:12:14