This project was a partnership-based approach to identifying and analysing the needs of small businesses, and the barriers that prevent small businesses putting health and safety appropriately on their business agendas. The year-long project was jointly funded by Belfast City Council and HSENI. It was managed by a consortium of partners comprised of representatives from the District Councils, the Northern Ireland Safety Group, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, and HSENI. A diverse range of partners from the private and public sectors played vital roles in supporting the consortium.

The project had three stages; a literature review of material on the issues of small firms, a major conference in Belfast as an awareness raising event, and regional workshops to seek the views of small business owners, managers and employees. The project was facilitated by consultants PricewaterhouseCoopers.