The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has published a guide on employer liability insurance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
It had previously been the case that many SMEs were confused about what they need to do in order to avoid litigation in the event of a workplace accident.
Many media outlets helped to fuel this lack of understanding by publishing articles with extreme cases of “health and safety gone mad”, but officers at the ABI hope the new guide will help employers provide a safe environment for staff while avoiding being overzealous.
One of the main aims of the new guide is to educate SME executives on the difference between public and employer liability, as this is often a point of confusion.
Otto Thoresen, ABI director general, said: “Overzealous interpretation of regulations risks bring the entire health and safety system into disrepute. Insurers are determined to help businesses understand health and safety rules and what insurers require.”
Mr Thoresen added he is looking forward to dispelling myths reported in the media while stopping time and money being wasted needlessly.