From the CEO’s desk

Provided the scheme is implemented with some care, BSIF believes this will penalise the companies that have limited regard for the welfare of their employees and will lower any burden currently spread across everyone, regardless of their performance.

However the implementation of the Fee for Intervention scheme will require careful handling. Just being the enforcement agency, without regard for circumstances and exceptions, will quickly lead to a ‘closed door’ syndrome with incidents unreported or covered up and we will start to go backwards in preventing accidents.
The HSE has a difficult tightrope to walk, encouraging companies to adequately protect their workers, whilst not becoming so over regulated and enforcement biased that UK industry grinds to a halt. I, for one, believe it achieves the balance very well, but as its goalposts are moved, so it needs to maintain that delicate touch, whilst morphing into its new shape.

Safety is about a wide range of things:- commitment to safe practices, training, proportionate responses to hazards, employee and employer involvement, quality safety equipment ‘that does what it says on the tin’ to name a few. Enforcement and fee levying should be low down the pile.

There will always be the ‘cowboy’ who will not act responsibly and we need to penalise them, but the ignorant or incompetent need encouragement and education. Enforcement only will lead to an Orwellian image and the closed doors and secrecy we must avoid.

BSIF and its members can help. We represent the leading suppliers and manufacturers of safety equipment. Our members include all the product test houses and a number of specialist consultants. In fact, we have a vast resource of knowledge, expertise and practical application. We can help you solve your problems or point you at someone who can. Don’t fall into the ignorant or incompetent categories, contact us for assistance.

David Lummis
The BSIF Chief Executive Officer
www.bsif.co.uk