Pictured above: Jo Salt, Corporate Business Executive at Brett and Randall

With warm weather arriving, many small businesses risk being caught out by new health and safety rules on the statutory inspection of air conditioning that came into effect this year.

Leicester insurance broker Brett and Randall warns firms to check if they are at risk since the Government Health and Safety Executive widened the net on what plant needs to be inspected. 

Previously, only systems with a cooling or heating capacity of at least 250kW were subject to the annual inspection regime. Now that limit has been reduced so that systems with a power output as low as 12kW require an energy audit and statutory inspection. 

Jo Salt, Corporate Business Executive at Brett and Randall, said: "Larger commercial or industrial businesses with significant plant schedules probably know about the changes relating to air conditioning, but smaller businesses, including office-based firms, may not be aware and are now potentially exposed to prosecution if they fail to act. 

"If you have an air conditioning system, check the total capacity, taking into account all units, and if necessary organise an inspection as soon as possible. Apart from risking prosecution and fines, failing to do so could also potentially invalidate your insurance."