Support for SMEs: Getting the basics right
March 30th 2010

According to St John Ambulance, over 15% of businesses have never carried out an assessment to determine risks within the workplace. There is a vital need to help small to medium sized businesses understand the basic processes involved in making their workplace legally compliant.

The new St John Ambulance Health and safety basics course is accredited by the British Safety Council and successful completion of the course results in a BSC certificate. The course is available across the country and includes:

• Overview of what a company needs to do to remain compliant 

• Overview of risk assessments and basic procedures

• Ongoing support from a designated SJA health and safety expert via email

Richard Evens, training and marketing director at St John Ambulance says: ‘In the last year there have been over 1100 cases of businesses being taken to court because of health and safety failings, resulting in 87% being convicted. The repercussions can be immense’.

Julie Nerney, chief executive, British Safety Council (BSC) said: ‘As a leading awarding body for health and safety qualifications, the BSC is delighted to be working with St John Ambulance. This course teaches business owners and managers how to identify and implement the correct health and safety management systems for their business and to keep workers safe.’

Prices for the Health and safety basics course start at £270. For details of courses in your area, or to arrange an on-site course, call 08700 10 40 65 or visit www.sja.org.uk/training

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