Occupational safety: A time of serious change

David Lummis, CEO of BSIF, considers what impacts Lord Young’s Review into health
& safety may have and highlights that it is still the responsibility of everyone
involved within the industry to protect workers from harm

The UK has a very proud record in occupational health
and safety. Fewer lives are lost each year to accidents at
work and the numbers have continually improved to
give the UK a world leading position. Why? Well the culture of
occupational health and safety is very strong in the UK. The
legislation is strong and clear, the enforcement of the
legislation is practical, proportionate and effective and the
entire industry, from the manufacturers and suppliers of
equipment to the safety consultants, safety officers and safety
reps, are committed to ensure the working environment is as
safe as it can be.

However, politically we now find ourselves in a different world.

Lord Young’s recent report has, quite rightly, highlighted some
of the significant issues within occupational safety which require
improvements, while the Chancellor is keenly cutting
Government expenditure to reduce the deficit. In what way is
this new regime likely to affect occupational safety in the UK?
While I am sure we all agree that simplifying current
legislation, reducing red tape and loosening the bonds which
restrict British industry are very
laudable aims, we must remember
that in the safety world, these
have often been generated
in response to real
incidents and
requirements and are
the very reason we have
such an excellent safety
record. It would be
unfortunate if in the
process of creating this
new working
environment, we did
so at the expense of
workers health. No one
would like to see the
accident statistics take a
major jump, least of all
the Government. The
headlines alone would
be extremely
unpleasant,
beside the
major suffering and grief which may occur.

Lord Young’s report specifically calls for a review and
consolidation of health and safety regulations. You can
understand this if you look at the structure of law in this area.

However, within the safety industry, we all have a duty of care to
ensure that safety policies are implemented appropriately and
proportionately to overcome the occupational hazard. We must
not think this apparent review is in any way a relaxation of
requirements or an excuse to be less vigilant. Those who can,
should support and assist the legislative review and ensure we do
not lose the quality of our legislation, which is so core to our
proud record.

The Occupational Safety Consultants Register
The BSIF has been pleased to be involved in the discussions that
have been ongoing in recent months regarding the accreditation
of safety professionals. Following the recommendations made by
Lord Young we look forward to being part of the process to
create a new national register of occupational safety consultants.

The Occupational Safety Consultants Register (OSCR), which
will go live in January 2011, will provide firms with details of
consultants who have met the highest qualification standard of
recognised professional bodies and who are bound by a code of
conduct that requires them to only give advice which is sensible
and proportionate.

While these changes are now being seriously considered and
much of the report recommends extra support activity from the
Health & Safety Executive (HSE), expenditure budgets for all
Government departments are being heavily trimmed.

Enforcement and education are key roles for the HSE and
additional support from the HSE is called for in Lord Young’s
report to SME’s and other organisations. We can only hope that
some ‘joined up Government’ has occurred and the HSE’s
budgets will not be so affected that they are unable to deliver this
new activity and maintain their crucial enforcement / education
roles. Without this capability, I am worried we may see the
unpleasant headlines already highlighted.

Time will tell, but meanwhile we must all remember our key
function is to protect workers health and wellbeing. If handled
well, I believe Lord Young’s recommendations will strengthen
the position of health and safety in Britain’s mind. If however,
they are muddled through because of budget restraints, those of
us at the ‘sharp end’ have a duty to maintain a vigilant stance to
protect workers from potential hazards.

For further advice on any of the issues contained within this
article visit www.bsif.co.uk.