Workplace health and safety - a new strategy for Great Britain

HSC press release C007:04 - 23 February 2004
Issued jointly with The Department for Work and Pensions

A radical new strategy to improve future standards of workplace health and safety in Great Britain was launched today by Des Browne, Minister of State at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Bill Callaghan, Chair of the Health & Safety Commission (HSC).

Drawing on the last 30 years experience and extensive consultations with a wide range of
stakeholders, the strategy sets out a new direction for the health and safety system
and the roles of HSC, the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and local authorities (LAs).

The strategy is ambitious, but realistic, focusing on managing risks and not eliminating them.
HSE and LAs will target resources on the areas of greatest need and be less active where risks
are well managed. In those areas, there will be greater emphasis on advice and support.

Des Browne said: "This new strategy is radical and brave in its approach to reduce workplace
risks for everyone, no matter what job they do. But this cannot be achieved by HSC, HSE and
LAs alone. It is vital that the whole health and safety system is involved and close partnerships
are forged with other stakeholders to bring about change and improvement.

"This Government sees occupational health and safety as a cornerstone of a civilised society
and wants to achieve a record that leads the world. Great strides have already been made on
safety improvements and I want to see similar progress on occupational health. This is particularly important to me as it touches my department's work in helping people back to work after illness and preventing them getting ill in the first place.

"The record in reducing accidents is impressive. Now we need to achieve a similarly impressive
reduction in ill health arising from work. As well as untold suffering, poor management of risks
costs the economy dearly. This new strategy is the way ahead."

Key features of the HSC strategy include:

• Focusing resources on poor performance to get best results;
• Promoting greater involvement of workers - the strategy recognises the people best placed
  to make workplaces safe are staff and managers;
• Making information readily accessible and providing clearer and simpler advice;
• Involving all stakeholders and forging close working relationships where everyone has a voice
  and can contribute.

It calls for new ways of working:

• Providing effective support free from the fear of enforcement - looking for ways to increase the understanding of health and safety and its paramount importance;
• Prioritising work - having the confidence to identify areas that are well controlled, and withdrawing from them; and
• Sharing the vision - making a step change in the way HSC/E communicates effectively.

Bill Callaghan said: "The development of this strategy was driven by the recognition that the world of work is changing, and with it, the hazards. It is intended to reinforce our message about adopting a sensible approach to health and safety, about balancing risks and benefits. We are not looking for a risk free society but one where risks are better understood. Similarly we are signalling that more legislation will not be our first response to new issues. We will work with others to find the best solutions.

"Britain's record is already commendable, with fatal accidents reduced by over two thirds since the introduction of the landmark Health and Safety at Work etc., Act in 1974, but more needs to be done. 40 million working days were lost to occupational injury and ill health in 2001/02: 33 million days were attributed to ill health. Implementing the strategy should further energise Britain's approach to improving workplace health and safety for the future."

'The Strategy for Workplace Health and Safety in Great Britain to 2010 and beyond' can be accessed on the HSE website.

Notes to editors

1. HSE is now developing an implementation programme and plan to ensure that the strategy is driven forward. Early deliverables include:

• A statement on worker involvement in March 2004;
• Proposals for occupational health and safety support (based on models currently being piloted) by Spring 2004
• High-level strategic programme plans by May 2004;
• A high-level partnership agreement between HSE and LAs by July 2004;
• Proposals for accessible channels of advice and guidance free from the perceived fear of enforcement by September 2004; and
• An interventions strategy by the end of 2004;

2. Development of the strategy began in 2003 and has been informed by three main sources:

• Consultation: Concerted attempts were made to involve stakeholders in early thinking and to reach out to people who do not normally receive written consultations. A summary of consultation responses is published at www.hse.gov.uk/consult/condocs/strategycdresponse.pdf [180kb]
• A report of research into the views of hard-to-reach groups is published at www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/rr197.htm
• Reviewing evidence: A new literature review was carried out to identify and draw upon evidence on the effectiveness of different interventions in affecting health and safety. This included evidence from systems in other countries.
• Drawing on experience: In addition, discussions were held on an ongoing basis to identify untapped experience.

Press enquiries

All enquiries from journalists should be directed to the HSE Press Office