Red tape burden for construction
Health and safety is the single most pressing administrative burden on the construction industry, Grant Thorton and Contract Journal's annual industry survey has said.
Overall, health and safety was rated the fourth most significant challenge faced by the sector, behind staff retention, falling profit margins and the economic climate.
Health and safety was rated as the greatest burden faced by 48 per cent of respondents, down from the 2002 high of 58 per cent but nonetheless still double the number who cited managing employees or tax returns.
The figure does not seem to represent a generally negative attitude toward health and safety concerns however, with 71 per cent of respondents telling researchers that they felt more action is required to improve the industry's health and safety record.
Of these respondents, a significant number said they would support greater numbers of site visits and penalties.
Mid sized companies reported the most anxieties over 'red tape,' despite the largest firms proportionately spending the most: "the costs do not reduce proportionately with size so it is expected that businesses at the lower end bracket will feel the greatest pinch," said the report.
Overall, health and safety was rated the fourth most significant challenge faced by the sector, behind staff retention, falling profit margins and the economic climate.
Health and safety was rated as the greatest burden faced by 48 per cent of respondents, down from the 2002 high of 58 per cent but nonetheless still double the number who cited managing employees or tax returns.
The figure does not seem to represent a generally negative attitude toward health and safety concerns however, with 71 per cent of respondents telling researchers that they felt more action is required to improve the industry's health and safety record.
Of these respondents, a significant number said they would support greater numbers of site visits and penalties.
Mid sized companies reported the most anxieties over 'red tape,' despite the largest firms proportionately spending the most: "the costs do not reduce proportionately with size so it is expected that businesses at the lower end bracket will feel the greatest pinch," said the report.
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