The FPB's Campaigns Manager, Victoria Carson, believes they could make better use of their time: "If as much effort went into thinking about the consequences of some of the needless regulations created by the HSE then perhaps the owners of smaller businesses would be able to get through the day without being tied up in red tape." 

The cartoon depicts a whistling worker making his way up a ladder, whilst a horde of inspectors and police scramble to pounce on him. The caption reads: "We have not banned stepladders – nor have we banned ladders!  

The HSE points out: "Despite this, the allegation is regularly repeated and some firms have fallen for the myth and acted upon it.  

"For straightforward, short duration work stepladders and ladders can be a good option, but you wouldn't want to be wobbling about on them doing complex tasks for long periods."  

"Neither would you want to be a small firm planning to have building work carried out in the near future," responded Miss Carson, referring to changes in health and safety regulations (Construction, Design, Management or CDM) brought into effect at the start of April, adding, "The Health and Safety Executive has not given due consideration to how these changes will impact on firms having construction work carried out. They have been brought into force before Parliamentary scrutiny of them could take place or opposition to them could be registered." 

The FPB is calling for support from MPs for an Early Day Motion (EDM) tabled by Conservative Leader David Cameron, opposing the changes to CDM. The FPB believes that the new regulations impose responsibilities on the business having the building work carried out, rather than the contractor carrying out the work. 

Miss Carson said the shift in responsibility for safety was unacceptable: "If a business has a machine built it does not have responsibility for the safety of the staff at the manufacturers of the machine, so if the same business has a building constructed to house the machine, why should it have the responsibility for the workers building the structure? 

"Its is pleasing to see that Mr Cameron has taken on board the FPB's concerns. We believe that the current system of planning permission and building regulations can deliver safety, particularly in design, without passing undue burden onto the client. There is no need for the additional regulations." she added. 

EDM 1151 calls for an address to be made to the Queen praying for the CDM Regulations to be annulled. Now, the FPB is calling on MPs to support the EDM by signing up to it. Miss Carson said there is good reason to believe that the changes would prove to be a nightmare for smaller businesses. 

"The HSE's premise that businesses should already be complying with any new duties that will be imposed (under the Health and Safety at Work Act) is regulation by stealth." said Miss Carson.

"In reality, what smaller business, having building work carried out for the first time, is going to have the slightest idea about what rules and regulations it must comply with?" she asked. 

As a result of the Early Day Motion, a ‘prayer debate' is likely to take place conducted by a Delegated Legislation Committee, comprising MPs representing all parties. A vote will then be taken as to whether to revoke, rather than annul, the regulations. This is because the timing of the debate will post date 6 April, when the regulations came into force.  

The FPB's Health and Safety Guide 

A successful business is dependent on the health and welfare of its employees and customers. The business owner is responsible for ensuring a safe working environment. The FPB's Health & Safety Guide is designed to help business owners do this with the minimum of fuss.

Easy-to-follow sections cover general and sector-specific guidance on complying with health and safety regulations and the ‘comply-as-you-complete' format ensures the business owner can stay fully up to date with the law simply and easily.

Risk assessment forms covering general, fire and asbestos issues are available in both hard copy and electronic format, to help the business owner evaluate current risks, and essential contact details for a variety of useful third parties will ensure that all the information you need is always to hand.

For more information visit www.fpb.org/guides or call 0845 130 1722.