STRATEGY SPARKS NEW 'CORNERSTONE OF A CIVILISED SOCIETY

HSC press release: C054:03 - 8 October 2003

Health and Safety Minister Des Browne called for an inclusive debate among all those with an interest in health and safety as he launched the eight-week consultation of A Strategy for Workplace Health and Safety in Great Britain to 2010 and beyond.

Speaking about the strategy, Des Browne, Minister for Work, said: "This Government wants to make workplace health and safety a cornerstone of a civilised society. I welcome the Commission's consultative document as an important contribution to the Department's thinking on the future world of work. The strategy recognises that HSE cannot do it all, we must get everyone involved in health and safety pulling in the same direction.

"Poor health and safety affects businesses, families and the whole economy. My challenge to business is work with us as we develop this thinking so that workplaces are safe, productive and fit for the 21st century. In particular, I welcome the emphasis on the need to do more on rehabilitation. Far too many people who suffer ill health at work do not get back into employment soon enough - or at all. That represents an unacceptable cost which we all, as a society, have to bear."

Chair of the Health and Safety Commission Bill Callaghan acknowledges the seven key points in the strategy also mark a significant change in direction for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Bill Callaghan said: "Our record on safety is among the best in the world, but much remains to be done on ill health which accounts for some 33 million working days lost each year. We want to find better means to prevent ill health, promote rehabilitation, and get people back to work more quickly.

"The Commission recognises that we cannot create a risk-free society, although our critics sometimes imply that this is part of our philosophy. Such as society is neither possible nor desirable. In contrast, our vision is of a world in which risk is properly recognised and managed as a partnership between employers and the workforce. This approach, on which our success has been based, is no less valid in today's society.

"But the context of our work is how to make risk management relevant to the modern and changing world of work. For example, it is clear that we need to find new methods to help businesses, large and small. We need to change the way we work and we will need to make hard choices about priorities.

"The new strategy places strong emphasis on partnership working and developing trust. It also signals the maturity of the system; where the regulators can be assured of proper risk management they will not intervene. They will save their energy for where they cannot.

"The public expects reassurance that nuclear, rail and similar industries are properly regulated. HSE is planning a major cross cutting review of all its major hazards industry responsibilities. But it will not be proactive in enforcing those areas of public safety where others are better placed than we are to secure improvement.

"This strategy will be of interest to all those concerned with the world of work and I hope that this stimulates a wide debate, discussion and action".

Copies of A Strategy for Workplace Health and Safety in Great Britain to 2010 and beyond are available from HSE Books