From the CEO's desk

May is an action packed month with highlights for the BSIF including Safety & Health Expo, the results of the BSIF Safety Awards being announced, as well as the Federation continuing its fight against illegal and counterfeit PPE products.

Additionally we are delighted that the Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register (OSHCR) has had such a good response with over 2,000 consultants already signed up and the register now formally open. This online directory will help ensure that businesses receive sensible good quality, proportionate health and safety advice and as such the register is a welcome addition to the industry.

I also attended an industry briefing from the Department of Works and Pensions Minister, Chris Grayling MP, who is taking over the lead in coordinating the Government's implementation of the Lord Young report and will be deciding further action to implement to help 'reduce red tape' as it was described. Many of the Lord Young recommendations are now either in final stages of implementation or are being developed. However some additional items outlined were: modernising the inspection regime, eliminating cowboys in the industry, simplifying health and safety for low risk organisations and carrying out an independent review of all current UK health and safety legislation. It was also confirmed by Judith Hackitt at the IOSH conference that unannounced inspections would be reduced as part of their requirement to cut budgets by 35 per cent and so overall it is obvious we are turning from a proactive 'help to prevent' accidents stance to a more reactive 'visit when an accident has occurred' position. To be fair, it is intended to maintain strong vigilance in areas which could have major impacts such as the Nuclear, Chemical , Oil and Gas sectors. Never the less, this lighter touch enforcement will have some affect on the overall market.

Overall, the tone was based upon the Government wishing to 'lighten the load' reduce 'red tape' and refocus HSE activities. We will need to be vigilant on all of this because the effects on our market could be significant.

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