Small firms must make sure that they do everything in their power to reduce the risk of workplace accidents, one expert has warned.
Stephen Leigh, advisor at Real Compensation, explained that a "compensation culture" is now rife and employers now need to do everything they can to ensure they are not liable for claims relating to work-based injury and illness.
He said: "[Small firms have] got to do absolutely everything in their power to help to comply with health and safety including training their staff."
If staff are not properly trained on health and safety issues then their employer could be held responsible for the accident even if other measures are in place, he added.
Although such claims will be covered by their insurance, companies still need to take every step possible to make sure they cannot be accused of negligence, he stated.
Recently, a report by insurance firm RSA found that six million people have sued their employer in the last year because of work-related injuries.
