Red tape blitz must not lead to poorer health and safety 11 September 2012

Yesterday's (10 September 2012) announcements by the UK government that low risk businesses, such as shops, offices, pubs and clubs, will be exempt from regular "burdensome health and safety inspections" from April 2013 risks generating more heat than light.

That's the warning from The British Safety Council, which is cautioning that there is a real danger when health and safety is characterised as a burden on business and an obstacle to economic growth and job creation.

"There is clear evidence of the financial and social benefits well managed proportionate health and safety brings to both employers and employees," insists Alex Botha, British Safety Council CEO.

"The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) and local authorities are charged with making adequate arrangements for the enforcement of health and safety law in relation to specified work activities. No-one should interfere with that," he adds.

Botha points to HSE's strategy 'Good Health and Safety, Good for Everyone', which sets out the principles of enforcement that is, proportional, targeted and consistent regulation.

"This means that HSE's resources are currently focussed on higher-risk work activities, while ensuring that any beaches of the law or health and safety failures are investigated, and where appropriate enforcement action taken," comments Botha.

"The myth that there is an army of health and safety inspectors disrupting and stifling UK business day in day out is just that – a myth. It is estimated that every workplace in Great Britain can, presently, expect a visit from an inspector on average once every 38 years."

Botha urges plant managers and HM Government not to overlook what the British Safety Council sees as the progress over the last 18 months in ensuring that the regulatory framework for health and safety at work is proportionate and understandable.

"The British Safety Council and its corporate members have played their part in helping take reforms aimed at simplifying our health and safety rules forward," he insists.

"We have contributed to both Lord Young and Professor Löfstedt reviews. Considerable progress has been made... It is important not to lose sight that these reviews did not find any evidence to suggest that there was a case for radically altering or stripping back our health and safety framework."

Brian Tinham

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British Safety Council

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