The size of an organisation or business is irrelevant when it comes to looking after employees, says Health and Safety Commission (HSC) chair Judith Hackitt.

Hackitt was addressing employers who attended a United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) think tank event last week. The event, themed 'Risk, Responsibility and Regulation', was part of a national debate recommended by the Better Regulation Commission on risk management and a re-examination of whether the state is overregulating workplaces.

Hackitt launched the Health Safety Executive (HSE)'s 2007 Simplification Plan at the event.

"The aims of our simplification plan are to reduce paperwork but not to reduce levels of protection. Our recent announcement of 2006/07 safety performance statistics in workplaces in Great Britain makes it absolutely clear that none of us can afford to let up in any way on our commitment to improving health and safety outcomes in the workplace."

She explained that the plan would help businesses know what was required to comply with health and safety regulations.

Hackitt cautioned small businesses in her speech.

"It is a dangerous mistake to assume that small business equals low risk in all cases. Let's be in no doubt that in reducing bureaucracy, it is the level of risk which counts and we must all be careful that levels of protection are maintained in all businesses, whatever their size."

HSE's Simplification Plan aims to reduce bureaucracy and paperwork in a way that is proportionate to the risk. Highlights include:

* Risk assessment examples including a three-page risk assessment used by Leicestershire County Council that covers multiple activities.

* Introduction of the Construction Design and Management Regulations 2007.

* Rationalising and reducing HSE forms in use.

* Removal of redundant forms (50% of HSE's stock). HSE is working through its Business onLine Project to ensure all current forms are transferred to and available to business in electronic format.

Examples of risk assessments can be viewed on www.hse.gov.uk. They are four pages or less.

HSC has overall responsibility for occupational health and safety regulations in Great Britain. The Commission consists of 10 people nominated by bodies with an interest in workplace health and safety. They are sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions. HSE and local authorities are enforcing authorities that work to support the Commission.