E025:08 22 April 2008

HSE Chair's reminder on leadership agenda

The Chair of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Judith Hackitt today reminded board members and senior business directors to put effective health and safety performance high on their agendas. Speaking at Capita Senior Directors’ Health and Safety Briefing in London Ms. Hackitt said, "No matter how good the health and safety system, nor how competent those who manage it, without effective board-level leadership and oversight, the competing demands of running a business can push health and safety into a back seat."

The Corporate Manslaughter & Corporate Homicide Act, has focused the attention of directors on their responsibilities for health and safety. Now that the Act has entered into force, organisations should be re-examining their health and safety performance - and asking 'Are our board and board members playing an appropriate and effective role?'"

Recent incidents such as the explosions at Buncefield and BP Texas City in 2005 clearly show the need for strong health and safety leadership in high hazard industries. But Ms Hackitt reminded her audience today that it is key for every business to consider its own risk profile and demonstrate leadership in managing those risks. The responsibilities apply in all businesses including those in the services sector.

Ms Hackitt’s message on boardroom-level leadership was clear, "The challenge now is very much with directors and boards who must seize the opportunity to critically evaluate the risks in their business and the adequacy of their leadership and to make changes. Directors and boards need to translate words into actions, and deliver - the ball is in their court."

Effective health and safety processes protect the workforce, meet legal and moral imperatives and bring business benefits from improved productivity, reduced sickness absence, raised staff morale and enhanced corporate reputation.

Notes to editors:

1. The HSE and the Institute of Directors have jointly published, ‘Leading health and safety: leadership actions for directors and board members’, which has been developed in collaboration with key stakeholders. The user-friendly document is written, ‘by directors, for directors.’ www.hse.gov.uk/leadership
2. The HSE will be commissioning an evaluation of the changes in directors’ and boards’ behaviour arising from the new guidance and the other developments. The evaluation is set to take place in the second half of 2009 to give time for the new measures to have an impact on behaviour.

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