Effectiveness of regulation governed by information processing ability of small firms, claims HSE study

Research commissioned by the HSE¹ suggests that constraints on a small firm's ability to process information have a significant effect on the regulation of health and safety.

The HSE takes account of the financial pressures on industry in judging the impact of new regulations on business, particularly small firms. But the research suggests that the processing constraints, although less visible, have an impact that is at least as significant as financial pressures. The researchers acknowledge that much of the HSE's current practice recognises this is the case.