HSE supports IMECHE Seminar on Permissioning Regimes

HSE Press Release: E104:04 - 23 July 2004

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is working with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) to hold a seminar on the benefits of regulating health and safety in the explosives, chemical, railway and oil and gas industries through the use of permissioning regimes.

Bill Callaghan, Chair of the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) will give the keynote speech explaining the background to HSC's Policy Statement on permissioning regimes. He will also be reviewing evidence of the benefits of safety case, sharing the latest HSC thinking on the regulation of hazardous industries. Other papers from HSE and industry presenters will describe current research and direct experiences on what works and what does not in this area.

This is an ideal opportunity to discuss with knowledgeable professionals from different industries what more can be done to improve the effectiveness of safety case. Those attending will be able to ask questions, raise issues and share their personal experiences of preparing and implementing the safety cases and safety reports required to comply with permissioning regimes.

The seminar will be held at Oakwood Centre, Eaglescliffe, Stockton on Tees on Tuesday 21 September 2004.

There is a limited number of places available at the seminar. To obtain a registration form and programme please contact: Georgina Shaw; 1 Birdcage Walk, Westminster, London, SW1H 9JJ.

Notes to editors

1. A permissioning regime is one under which the start or continuation of particular work activities are conditional upon a consent, license, letter of conclusion or acceptance of a safety case or safety report by the health and safety regulator. Permissioning regimes are an addition to the general framework of health and safety law.

2. HSC's permissioning regime Policy Statement explains the philosophy adopted by the HSE in regulating health and safety in hazardous industries. It was published in 2003 and can be viewed on the HSE website at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/enforce/permissioning.pdf

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