Size does not matter
December 1st 2007

Speaking at the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) think tank event in early December, Judith Hackitt, chair of the Health and Safety Commission, reminded employers that when it comes to the protection of their employees, the size of the organisation or business must not matter

The event entitled Risk, Responsibility and Regulation formed a part of a debate recommended by the Better Regulation Commission on the management of risk and particularly a re-examination of areas where the state is perceived to have assumed more responsibility for peoples' lives than is healthy or desirable.

Ms Hackitt announced the launch of HSC's 2007 Simplification Plan, "The aims of our simplification plan are to reduce paperwork - yes - but NOT to reduce levels of protection.

"Our recent announcement of 2006/07 safety performance statistics in workplaces in Great Britain makes it absolutely clear that none of us – in HSE, the public sector, business, large or small enterprises – can afford to let up in any way on our commitment to improving health and safety outcomes in the workplace.

"Through our simplification plan we want to make it easier for all business to know what's required to comply with regulation." Taking on the debate of whether regulation gets in the way of business Ms Hackitt said, "What will continue to be most challenging for us is the real paradox we live with in a society which on the one hand loves to point to any example of bureaucracy and over protection as yet another clear example of the nanny state but on the other hand has no hesitation in looking for someone to blame and calling for 'something' to be done when accidents and tragedies occur.

"Good regulation not only should but does enable businesses and organisations to conduct their activities more efficiently and effectively - and health and safety regulation is absolutely no exception to this." HSE's Simplification Plan aims to reduce bureaucracy and paperwork in a way that is proportionate to the risk.

Highlights include: Example risk assessments which are fit for purpose and 'good enough'.

Introduction of the CDM Regulations 2007 which bring together 4 sets of regulation into one and makes requirements much clearer.

Rationalise and reduce the amount of HSE forms.

Removal of a lot of redundant forms.

Judith Hackitt concluded " Lets be in no doubt that in reducing bureaucracy it is the level of risk which counts and we must all be careful to ensure that levels of protection are maintained in all businesses– whatever their size."

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