HSE Small Business Trade Association Forum

1

10.30 – 10.35

Introductions and apologies

2

10.35 – 10.40

Minutes of the last meeting

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

3

10.40 – 11.00

HSE/DRC joint risk assessment and disability guidance

The guidance builds on the joint HSC/Disability Rights Commission statement on health and safety management and disability launched by HSC in January.

We wish to raise general awareness of the guidance, which will be explained to the Forum. We would welcome SBTAF member involvement:

• in developing the practical example
• in providing further case studies and
• in exploring the value of extending the guidance to service delivery i.e. duties relating to disabled visitors and customers.

Cath Cottam, Diversity Team

4

11.00 – 11.20

SBTAF e-community

We will provide a visual demonstration of how to use the SBTAF e-community. The advantages of using the e-community will be explained. Members can take this opportunity to pose any questions they may have regarding the e-community.  

Roger Hamilton, Online Services

5

11.20 – 11.40

HSC/E merger

An update on how the HSC/E merger is progressing. The presentation will recap on the results of the HSC consultation, the legislative process and the next stage of the project which requires a Ministerial Consultation.

Jonathan Rees, Deputy Chief Executive

6

11.40 – 12.00

Written Health and Safety Statements: Eliminating Duplication

It has been identified that a significant proportion of British businesses produce both:

- a written health and safety policy statement as required under s.2(3) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA) ; and

- a written record of health and safety arrangements as required by regulation 5 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

HSE's Enforcement Policy Unit is currently investigating how best to ensure businesses do not duplicate efforts.

We will discuss the potential options for action and would like to ask the forum members for their views.

Please also see attached paper SBTAF/01

Ron Griffiths, Enforcement Policy Unit

7

12.00 – 12.15

Information Exchange

8

12.15 – 12.20

AOB

9

12.20 – 12.25

Meeting round up and close

10

12.25 – 12.30

Forum members are invited to stay for coffee after the meeting to allow informal discussion and networking.