Contribution by Michelle Butler

Comment by: Michelle Butler

Focus area: Food manufacturing (small businesses)

Regulator concerned: Environmental Heath (Local Authority),Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

Comment:
The whole better regulation or rather de-regulation thing I find quite worrying. I have been employed in the catering industry for over 20 years and quite frankly find the occasional inspections that industry is and quite rightly are subject to an opportunity to obtain some valuable advice that small business owners like myself do not have the time or inclination to seek out for myself. As I am the business owner it is my responsibilty to be aware of what is important to my business but like many others complacency often rules. Furthermore the plans to make health and safety inspections more risk based leaving out those who are considered responsible surely must be happening anyway as I nor my husband who also runs his own business has never yet had a HSE inspector bang on our door. Better regulation or a cost saving and money making exercise. I know what I think.