The negative perception surrounding health & safety is unfounded, according to a poll conducted by business standards company, BSI, of visitors to last month's Safety & Health Expo at London's ExCel. Despite health & safety legislation often being perceived as being all about paperwork, legislation and bureaucracy, 67% of those polled don't believe this is the case and say that the benefits outweigh the costs.

The research found that to reduce the risk to their employees, 37% of businesses are operating in compliance (24%) with or certified (13%) to OHSAS 18001, Occupational Health & Safety Management System standard. A further 35% are managing health & safety in accordance with HSG65, 35% have put in place their own policies and procedures, whilst 31% have provided training to their staff.

Commitment from senior management is essential if an organisation is to manage risks effectively and encouragingly, 93% of those polled believe their own top management is committed to health & safety, with 67% saying that their company allocates the necessary resources to it, investing in areas such as staff, training and personal protective equipment. Interestingly, the poll found that over three quarters (76%) felt that internationalisation of the current standard for health & safety will have a positive impact on its adoption.

Whenever I'm out and about I hear people moaning about how EU legislation is impacting negatively on their businesses and that health & safety legislation in particular has become something of a joke. The results of this poll seem to show that the tide is turning. If this is the case, I'm wondering whether we've finally started to adapt to the new rules or whether those attending a health & safety event might be a little biased towards them?

I'm not knocking; just saying. What's your take on it?

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Yours,

Jan Hobbs