The challenge for us all is to make the case that good health and safety is good business
August 15th 2009 HSE’s prime aim is always to prevent death, injury and ill health in Britain’s workplaces. This remains our focus whether we are providing information and advice to businesses, promoting training, proposing new or revised regulations and codes of practice, conducting research, or carrying out inspection, investigation and enforcement.
Another constant is our need to work in partnership. No single individual or organisation can ensure that our workplaces are safe. HSE shares some of the responsibility for advising on and enforcing legislation with local authorities. We work closely with the professional bodies too, which set standards and provide qualifications and training.
Understanding how all this fits together can be difficult. In commercial companies, as many HSM readers will be aware, we know that one size does not fit all.
But whether you are a regulator or advisor, one thing we all have to deal with is scrutiny of our decisions and advice. In economically difficult times, the scrutiny is likely to be more intense. Companies facing real financial difficulties will want to trim all excess costs. We should not kid ourselves that health and safety is protected from the financial considerations and realities of business.
The challenge for us all is to make the case that good health and safety is good business – a reasoned, sensible and proportionate response to dealing with risks to employees.
And the current economic climate makes this challenge all the more important. When we hear talk about surviving a recession, it is usually the financial health of a business that is under discussion, not the wellbeing of its employees.
But this is not a one-sided debate. Some voices call for an easing of enforcement and inspection, others insist on extra vigilance to ensure that duty holders are not tempted to cut corners.
The actual picture will inevitably be more complex. If there are fewer accidents and incidents during a downturn we should not count on this as evidence of lasting improvement. Risks may simply be reduced because fewer new workers are being recruited.
And evidence shows us that economic recovery presents its own challenges. Health and safety risks may increase as a consequence of a rapid upturn in industrial activity, long hours, or mothballed plant and premises being brought back into use.
Whether facing recession or recovery, HSE is committed to enabling a non-bureaucratic, sensible and proportionate approach to managing health and safety – this enables proper protection of employees without placing unnecessary burdens on employers. As many of you will know, the HSE strategy launched in June. It is the product of significant collaboration with our very many stakeholders.
On behalf of HSE, I would like to extend my thanks for the input and feedback we have received from you. It’s time for us all now to take action. Be part of the solution with us – together we can make Britain a healthier and safer place to work.
Geoffrey Podger,
HSE chief executive More articles from Health and Safety Executive: | 
