BeSMART.ie is a free, online safety tool that allows small businesses to carry out risk assessments and create their own safety statements. This new version now meets the needs of a range of agribusinesses, including farm advisers, equestrian centres, horticulturalists and slurry contractors.

All employers, including small businesses and the self-employed, are legally obliged to have a written health and safety document, known as a safety statement.

This tool was developed by the Health and Safety Authority to help small businesses develop their own safety statement and to contribute to a culture of safety and health in their workplaces.

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With over 30,000 registered users, BeSMART.ie is growing constantly and is now available for the agribusiness sector for the first time.

Speaking about the new BeSMART.ie agribusiness tool at the launch on Friday, Minister Nash said agribusinesses will benefit greatly from having access to a free and easy-to-use resource that will help keep them and their employees safer and healthier.

“It’s a great example of an innovative offering from the public sector that saves enterprises time and money. The agribusiness sector now has access to the benefits already enjoyed by thousands of other small businesses in the retail, hospitality, service, manufacturing and construction sectors,” he said.

Reducing costs

According to Martin O’Dea, senior inspector with the Health and Safety Authority, the BeSMART.ie tool is providing ways for agribusinesses to reduce costs while encouraging them to take ownership and control of safety and health management in their business.

“Evidence suggests that the average cost of using a third party to develop a safety statement can be up to €1,500. BeSMART.ie can save an employer at least this amount directly and contribute to an improved culture of safety and health in their businesses,” he said.

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The free BeSMART.ie agribusiness online tool is available now at www.besmart.ie.