SME savings on healthy and safety admin

Smaller contractors will save millions thanks to government plans to slash health and safety red tape.

Contractors spend an average of 20 hours a year, at a cost of more than £350, on administration for safety requirements.

Business secretary John Hutton is hoping to cut the time spent on safety admin down to five hours. New measures will also make it easier for smaller contractors to get health and safety advice without having to employ expensive consultants.

Hutton said: "Introducing simple steps, such as making information more easily available and getting better advice to firms that need it, will help save time and money for UK business."

Construction union Ucatt believes the government should focus on increased safety inspections to bring down accident rates.