Small and medium-sized business are unsure about how to best implement health and safety measures because of confusing mixed messages, according to the Risk and Regulation Advisory Council (RRAC).

The RRAC have stated that contradictory messages from the government, lawyers and insurance companies has led to a lack of confidence among small firm owners over how to manage risk and health and safety.

"If small organisations don't understand what they need to do they may do too much and waste money, or too little and thus fail to protect their employees," said Sarah Veale from the RRAC.