Employers will have to pay for the hospital treatment of staff if they are injured in the workplace, when new laws are implemented in October.
Under the new Injury Cost Recovery legislation, the NHS will have the right to claim back the costs of treating staff through the employer’s liability insurance.
In a double blow to businesses, it is also expected that the cost of insurance will rise when the new legislation takes effect.
The expected increase in the cost of employer liability insurance, for small and medium businesses, will be around 8%.
David Robertson, chief executive of Bibby Financial Services, is urging the UK’s small business community to review health and safety policies as a matter of urgency.
He also says that the new legislation might be viewed by businesses as ‘another kick in the shins from the Government’, but that there are steps they can take to minimise the level of liability insurance they pay.
Mr Robertson, said: “Despite the seemingly bleak outlook, there are positive steps UK owners and managers can take to minimise the rise in their employer liability insurance when the new regulations come in to affect.
“Insurers have made it clear that they are willing to work with the business community to keep costs as low as possible, by reflecting responsible health and safety practices in their rates.”
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