HSE Small Business Trade Association Forum

1

14.00 – 14.05

Introductions and apologies

2

14.05 – 14.10

Minutes of the last meeting

Forum members are invited to agree the minutes of the last meeting and note developments.

3

14.10 – 14.40

Horizon scanning  

This presentation will provide an introduction to the work of the Horizon Scanning team, the role of which is to identify new and emerging issues which could impact on the workplace of the future, with a view to informing HSE's strategic planning. Roger will discuss what HSE sees as the key drivers of change, list the current "hot topics" of interest and consider the implications of some of these issues for HSE and the wider Health & Safety system. There will be a focus on socioeconomic trends such as demographic change, the changing shape of industry, new and emerging working patterns and the impact of migrant workers. In addition Roger will give a flavour of a few technological developments which may be of general interest to SBTAF members. Members will be invited to ask questions and feed in their thoughts following the presentation.

Roger Brentall,
Horizon Scanning Team

4

14:40 - 15.15

BRE Review  

The Better Regulation Executive (BRE) has been carrying out a review of the entire health and safety regime since early July 2007 using the perspective of low risk businesses (especially SMEs).  Hugh will present the early thoughts of the review team and the forum will be given the opportunity to comment on some emerging thinking in areas such as supporting SME access to information and on-site advice and occupational health and rehabilitation support for SME businesses.  

Hugh McNeal,
Director of the Health and Safety Review Team

5

15.15 - 15.45

Health Work and Well Being  

Professor Dame Carol Black is the government's first National Director for Health and Work, heading up the Health Work and Well-Being strategy; a joint initiative across government to improve the health and well-being of working age people.   Dame Carol will give an overview of the strategy and progress made since its launch in 2005. She will focus on the importance of prevention and early intervention; and also update forum members on her Review of the Health of the Working Age Population, and how as part of this she is keen to learn more about the business case for SMEs to invest in health.

Professor Dame Carol Black,
National Director for Health and Work, Department for Work and Pensions

6

15.45 – 16.15

Easier Access to Services (EASe) programme

This presentation will introduce SBTAF members to the EASe Programme which is in the embryonic stages of development. The programme is seeking to investigate how the Health and Safety Executive interacts with the public on non-enforcement issues, to re-design and repackage if appropriate. The project will look at WHAT services we provide, building them around what businesses need - HOW they are best provided - WHO should provide them. SBTAF feedback will be extremely useful in helping the programme shape this information base. 

Mike Owens,
Business Efficiency Unit

7

16.15 - 16.20

Information Exchange

An opportunity for Forum members to air any health and safety issues that are currently concerning their membership.

8

16.20 – 16.25

AOB

9

16.25 - 16.30

Meeting round up and close

10