To support the introduction of the Priority Programmes and to promote new intervention techniques, HELA agreed that:
This inspection process means that Enforcement Officers will continue to use a risk-based approach. However, they will concentrate on the HSC five priority topics as the prime means of judging a dutyholders management of health and safety.
Attention during all proactive inspection will be focused on the HSC's five priority programme topic areas - workplace transport, falls from height, musculoskeletal disorder, stress and slips and trips - as these represent the largest (or fastest growing) causes of injury and ill health in the British economy. The topic inspection approach is flexible. HSC priority topics are not the only issues that inspectors will encounter during inspections, but to achieve the wider Revitalising targets agreed by HSC and Ministers, inspectors must concentrate on them. However, inspectors should also continue to address other matters of evident concern, industry specific risks, and react to any issues raised during the inspection, a complaint or accident where it is appropriate.
To assist inspectors in addressing these topics effectively, Revitalising Health and Safety Revitalising Health and Safety inspection packs have been produced which contain topic-specific guidance. The topic inspection packs, futher resource and training material are available on the HELA training Coordination website. www.trainingco-ord.org
At present, further guidance is being developed, and the topic packs are being re-developed with the help of Local Authorities to reflect the types of premises and situations experienced in Local Authority enforced sectors.
Local Authority Circulars
Government strategy - Health, work and well-being - caring for our future (2005)
Making a difference - Judith Hackitt