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The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Rospa) has told the government that health and safety "red tape" is causing small and medium-sized businesses real problems when it comes to securing contracts.
Its warning was made in evidence to a review into health and safety regulation announced by the government in November.
Many companies faced unnecessary problems in securing contracts because of the wide variety of schemes being used by clients or training providers wanting proof they can meet health and safety standards, Rospa said.
It is urging the government to bring in a more uniform approach with less paperwork and more efficiency to provide more help to companies that need to raise standards.
Roger Bibbings, Rospa occupational safety adviser, said: "The multitude of assessment, compliance and pre-qualification schemes means businesses that are applying for contracts have to be repeatedly filling in forms to meet the different requirements of each scheme."
