SMALL businesses and the self-employed could benefit from a properly-considered approach to risk assessment as part of their awareness of health and safety responsibilities.

That was the message presented to the Bury Business Club by Bolton and Bury Chamber health and safety manager Steve Horrocks, and Bury Council's principal environmental health officer, Clare Platt.

At the club's latest monthly meeting, at Europa House, Bury, Steve Horrocks contrasted two recent case studies.

The first illustrated the difficulties of small businesses against the trend of sharply-rising insurance costs, with a small business being faced with a fourfold increase in employers' liability premiums from one year to the next.

Conversely, a systematic approach to health and safety training and auditing resulted in a 15 per cent reduction in insurance premiums in the other case.

From a legal perspective, Clare Platt outlined the duties of employers and others under the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act, and explained how a simple risk-assessment framework might help businesses meet their requirements and to prioritise the actions needed to protect their employees, workers and others.

During the meeting, a wide range of members, including some first-time attendees, took the opportunity to present a one-minute "spotlight" of their businesses.

The evening began and ended with plenty of time for networking over a splendid buffet, courtesy of Europa House.

The next meeting of the Bury Business Club is on Thursday, March 21.

Details are available from Kay Gregson at Bolton and Bury Chamber, on 01204 374668, or via the Chamber website www.chamberhelp.co.uk/netwking/burybusiness