11:57am Thursday 12th February 2009
By Lewis Cowen
Companies operating without the right number of health and safety staff could leave themselves open to prosecution, warns Wiltshire St John Ambulance.
The Devizes-based charity is concerned that companies shedding staff during the economic downturn could get rid of people with specialist safety skills.
Micaela Owen, training manager at Wiltshire St John Ambulance, said: "We are very concerned that appointed persons, certified first aiders, fire marshals and other personnel who have been trained to comply with health and safety requirements, could be included among those being laid off or made redundant.
"In such cases those companies concerned may not be left with the necessary trained people to meet legal or insurance requirements."
The regulations do not specify exact numbers but require employers to conduct a risk assessment.
Employers should not be tempted, says St John Ambulance, to minimise their risk assessment because, if an incident occurs, they are open to prosecution and risk severe penalties.
Ms Owen added: "We urge all companies which have reduced, or are about to reduce, their staff levels to check that they maintain sufficient health and safety cover.
"We can help any company that finds it does not have the necessary trained staff by providing that training locally."
For more details contact the training department on 0844 880 2626.
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