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FAST FACTS: SMEs

here are an estimated 400 million
small and medium-sized enterprises
(SMEs) worldwide (National Action 24%
Plans on Business and Human
have public
Rights, 2023), contributing around
liability insurance
T50% of global employment. In the
US, over 99% of the nation’s 28.7 million
organisations are SMEs (JP Morgan Chase,
2023). And across the European Union,
there are approximately 24.4 million small
businesses, most of which are micro-sized 1 in 3 41%
firms employing fewer than nine people

don’t have a risk have paid more
(Renew Europe, 2023). assessment policy in than £10,000 in
In the UK, there are 5.5 million small place – and only 16% plan compensation in the
businesses, employing 16.7 million people and to implement one in the past year as a result
accounting for around half of private sector next 12 months of public injuries
turnover (Federation of Small Businesses
(FSB), 2023). As that increases – the number Source: Hiscox, 2023 (figures correct at the start of 2022)
of UK small businesses grew by 60% from
2000 to 2022 (FSB, 2022) – looking after
their people is big business.
But research has shown that without the ‘The biggest struggle for SMEs is knowing
abundant resources of bigger corporate MANY SMEs ARE where to start,’ Caroline adds. ‘Making
organisations, many SMEs are failing to FAILING TO INVEST IN use of free resources such as the HSE [GB
invest in even the most basic OSH practices. Health and Safety Executive] website is
EVEN THE MOST BASIC
Almost one in three small businesses don’t useful to find simple, practical steps but can

have a risk assessment policy in place. Of the often lead to them feeling overwhelmed
1500 small business leaders questioned in OSH PRACTICES about the number of priorities.’
a poll, 25% said health and safety was not a
priority (Hiscox, 2023). their business rather than managing Spinning plates
health and safety. If they can afford to pay The pressures of juggling many and

Limited resources a consultant to help them, that’s fine – but varied responsibilities can also be a
Caroline Graham, an independent OSH for many, this could fall down the priority challenge for small businesses. This in turn
consultant, isn’t surprised by the fi ndings. list,’ Caroline explains. has an impact on the health and wellbeing
‘For many small organisations, they are so According to a report by the Money of its people. Rebecca Lewis, SHEQ director
focused on the day-to-day running of their Advice Trust (2023), the cost-of-living at UK-based Green Frog Connect, a low-
business, it can take several years for them crisis is taking its toll on small businesses, carbon grid infrastructure specialist, has
to realise they need to do a risk assessment,’ making meeting OSH requirements even seen the workforce grow from four to 37

she says. ‘It’s only when they start to grow more difficult. Around a third of callers to since she joined 10 years ago. She says
and recruit people, and they require HR the Business Debtline reported turning those working for an SME are often under
support, that this raises questions about to credit in the last 12 months to cover more pressure than those working for
how they’re meeting health and safety essential costs like council tax or energy. bigger organisations.
requirements. Research by the International Labour ‘There probably aren’t another five people

‘Then time and money are big factors. Organization (2020) found that these doing the same job as you,’ she says. ‘Quite
Once they have a risk assessment in place, constraints, together with ‘a low level of often you have to wear many hats; you have
awareness of and compliance with OSH
more than one role – that’s when people
they are often surprised by how much work
ILLUSTRATION: ISTOCK they need to do to meet compliance. They standards’, mean that to be successful, can start to feel overwhelmed and stressed.
Similarly, we don’t have a dedicated HR
don’t have the time or understanding to
OSH initiatives must be low cost or free
do this and they want to focus on running
manager, so it falls to me and my team to
and easy to access.
IOSH MAGAZINE 57

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