As with everything that involves rules and regulations, myths can arise which can cause confusion or false belief that something is in place when in reality it isn't Here are some myths about health and safety that may be important to know about.

1. A separate risk assessment must be carried out if a young person is employed - A risk assessment should cover every one of all ages so there is no need to produce a separate risk assessment for a young employee.
2. Every business should have a trained first-aider - Although it is recommended that someone within a business should be trained in first aid, it is not a requirement or enforceable. However, an employer must make proportionate first-aid arrangements such as a stocked first aid box with some in charge of it even if they're not trained.
3. All electronics need to be assessed every year - Electronic equipment does need to be maintained to avoid any risks but there is no law in how they're assessed and how frequent they are assessed.
4. You have to go through training to work at any height including using ladders - When it comes to working at extreme heights, there is lots of training and planning that goes into place. When it comes to working at heights that are of a lower risk such as ladders or step ladders, training is not required. In case of working with ladders a common sense approach is used.
5. You have to regularly check on the safety of workers working alone - It's ideal to check on a worker's well-being if they're working alone but it's not required to regularly check on them unless the job in hand is of a high risk nature.
6. HSA Inspectors are just looking to catch people out and issue fines - This is completely false. According to the health and safety authority; only 10% of inspections resulted in enforcement. In most cases inspectors just give out advice and not there to catch people out. If everything is how is close to how it should be there shouldn't be anything to catch anyone out.
7. Health and Safety is expensive - There's no denying that having efficient health and safety in the workplace can be costly as it is an investment, however, over time health and safety will save your business money and will help prevent any claims that could be made that could be even more costly than the initial procedures in place.
8. Health and Safety is just a hindrance to businesses  - This is similar to the myth about being health and safety being expensive. Some people believe the cost can be a hindrance as well as productivity being hindered. Health and Safety will cost time and money but keeping people safe within your business is a necessity. You'd rather spend time and money on getting health and safety right than have yourself a claim or lawsuit to deal with which will be a hindrance to your business.
9. Footwear such as flip-flops and sandals are banned in the workplace - No laws say you can't wear these types of footwear. Again with the common sense approach- it's up to the employer to decide what is appropriate footwear for the job and whether the footwear such as flip-flops and sandals will pose any risk or danger to the person.
10. Health and safety regulations have fuelled a huge rise in compensation claims - Laws and regulations may always be changing and may seem as if they provide more opportunities for more compensation claims to be made. However, in the last 5 years, claims have fallen each year. If the regulations are neglected or procedures are incorrect then it's like a claim will be made and granted. Fortunately, if everything is done to the best ability to prevent accidents from happening, claims will most likely be disregarded. You won't have to worry about someone trying to get a quick pay-day if all safety requirements are met.