AS the credit crunch continues to bite, some of your readers carrying out small property developments may be tempted to cut corners to save money. Our research has shown that many people developing property as a business do not realise they have legal res

AS the credit crunch continues to bite, some of your readers carrying out small property developments may be tempted to cut corners to save money.

Our research has shown that many people developing property as a business do not realise they have legal responsibilities for health and safety. The Health and Safety Executive is running an important new initiative to highlight important safety issues among property developers.

Whether you think of yourself as a property investor, developer or renovator, everyone has a role to play in helping reduce the number of serious and fatal incidents in the construction industry.

I urge readers to visit www.hse.gov.uk/property or call the HSE InfoLine on 0845-3450055 to find out more about the various responsibilities property developers have.

SIMON LONGBOTTOM

HSE Head of Operations

East of England