HSC Chair congratulates industry leaders on their sensible but positive approach to health and safety

C023:07 15 November 2007

Speaking at the British Coatings Federation annual technical conference today Chair of the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) Judith Hackitt congratulated the coatings industry on their continued sensible approach to health and safety, and on their efforts to improve standards and promote good working practice across the industry.

Presenting the 2007 Coatings Care Awards, Ms Hackitt said, "Across the coatings Industry, I would encourage you to share good practice that is both appropriate and pertinent to your business and I am delighted to see BCF encouraging its members to do just that. I believe the way in which workplace hazards and risks are managed and controlled need to be sector specific and those working in the sector are the best placed to assess the risks and identify the most appropriate solutions."

Ms Hackitt also reiterated her messages on sensible risk management and said she was alarmed and saddened by the way 'health and safety' is being abused and devalued as a very convenient excuse for not doing an awful lot of things - ranging from putting up Christmas lights to banning wet t-shirt competitions!

"The Health and Safety Commission and Executive support the hard work that Trade Associations put in to raise standards and performance within the industry and who seek to ensure a common sense approach to proportionate and effective regulation," Ms Hackitt continued.

In her keynote address the HSC Chair also focused on challenges facing the industry in the coming year including the REACH Implementation Project process and implementation of the harmonisation system for classification and labelling of chemicals, Globally Harmonised Standard (GHS), which will replace the Chemical (Hazards Information and packaging for Supply) Regulations (CHIP).

Notes to editors

1. The Health and Safety Commission is responsible for health and safety regulation in Great Britain. The Health and Safety Executive and local government are the enforcing authorities who work in support of the Commission.
2. The HSC has overall responsibility for occupational health and safety regulations in Great Britain. The Commission consists of 10 people nominated by bodies with an interest in workplace health and safety. They are sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The DWP minister for occupational health and safety is Lord McKenzie of Luton.
3. The British Coatings Federation (BCF) is the sole UK trade association for manufacturers of decorative paints, printing inks, industrial coatings and wallcoverings, representing a £2.2 billion industry and the interests of over 130 member companies.
4. BCF runs the Coatings Care Programme which recognises responsible Care in the Coatings Industry. Coatings Care Awards are made annually to companies, both large and small, showing the biggest improvement in Health, Safety and Environment.
5. European Union legislation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)

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