According to a study of 115 business owners by business advisor the Forum of Private Business (FPB), 59 per cent of respondents are confident that a review of regulations would be beneficial.

Business owners consider health and safety insurance to be the most burdensome area of health and safety law, with 28 per cent believing the requirements expected of them are excessive.

Some 56 per cent of respondents are concerned that public sector cuts such as those affecting public procurement or emergency services could hinder their ability to comply with health and safety.

Suggestions for improvements include greater support over risk assessments (63 per cent) tougher penalties for health and safety prosecutions (44 per cent) and an accreditation scheme for health and safety consultants (33 per cent).

FPB research manager Tom Parry says: ‘Many of the excessive health and safety laws appear to have little practical purpose and seem to be directed at large companies, but tie up small firms in the process.’