Workers are on average about four times more likely to be injured in the first month of work than if they had been working for the same employer for a year or more.

So hiring new or temporary staff to meet seasonal demand could significantly dent, rather than boost, a business's summer profits.

Workplace Health Connect, a free telephone advisory service for smaller businesses, is laying down the challenge to businesses to get to know their health and safety responsibilities, and maximise on the opportunities the summer months can offer.

Up to 600,000 people were injured or became ill because of work last year, costing their employers an average of about £1,200 each time. This can hurt a business's bottom line, and in some cases, cost them more than they stand to gain from their summer hires.

Elizabeth Gyngell, Programme Director, comments, "For many firms, such as hotels and restaurants, the summer months mean increased business.

"Businesses need to meet heightened seasonal demand for services, plus they need to fill the gaps left by staff taking their summer holidays.

"To cope with this, many businesses take on graduates, students or other temporary staff who are much more likely to be injured than those employed for over a year. This issue highlights the importance of business managers being fully aware of their health and safety responsibilities."

However, keeping your employees safe doesn't need to be a headache. Simple procedures can be put in place to make sure that businesses are meeting their health and safety responsibilities.

1) Do a risk assessment and let staff know about any health and safety hazards in your organisation.

2) Include health and safety in your induction training- it's important.

3) Set up a mentoring or buddy system. This is a good way to ensure that junior staff feel responsible and is good for morale, as well as an effective way to look after your staff.

For more advice on their health and safety responsibilities, smaller businesses can contact Workplace Health Connect, a confidential and practical advisory service which offers free, tailored support on health and safety issues.

By calling 0845 609 6006 businesses can access a team of highly qualified advisers and talk through individual queries on areas ranging from undertaking health and safety risk assessments, through to helping implement a return to work programme or tackling stress or back injuries in the workplace.

Further information is available at www.workplacehealthconnect.com.