The Health and Safety Executive and local authorities working together

E055:08 5 November 2008

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local authorities (LAs) need to continue to work together to deliver a new strategy for a safer and healthier Britain - that was the message heard today at this year's HSE/LA partnership conference.

The conference in Manchester attracted over 250 local authority representatives. In a keynote address, Health and Safety Minister Lord McKenzie of Luton said: "To make workplaces in 21st century Britain healthier and safer we all need to work together. We expect HSE and local authorities to work with employers to help them improve the management of risk so that workers can see the benefit of safer workplaces."

Speaking at the event, HSE Chair Judith Hackitt revealed that the HSE Board is due to launch a new strategy for workplace health and safety in Great Britain in early December. HSE will initiate a consultation process in December which will enable stakeholders to comment on the strategy.

Ms Hackitt said: "The overriding purpose of the strategy is the prevention of death, injury and ill health to those at work and those affected by work activity.

"The strategy will set out to optimise the performance of the overall health and safety system. It will clarify the roles of the regulated, the regulator, the workforce and the many others who are part of the system.

"Together, HSE and local authorities will focus on key activities to ensure that duty holders manage their workplaces to assure health and safety of the workforce and the public where they are affected by work. Those activities will include providing guidance on what the law requires, taking appropriate enforcement action and alerting duty holders to new and emerging risks."

Commenting on the challenges ahead for health and safety professionals, in the 21st century, the HSE Chair emphasised her belief that Great Britain has a first class health and safety system but that there is no room for complacency. Partnership working, Ms Hackitt said, is a key element in ensuring that Great Britain remains one of the safest places in the world to work.

Cllr Geoffrey Theobald, chairman of LG Regulation (formerly LACORS), said: "Councils often bear the brunt of the myths and misconceptions about health and safety that exist in some people's minds. Partnership working with HSE has enabled councils to focus on changing people's perceptions and making them see the huge benefits for public and workplace safety that councils can deliver.

"It's vital at this time that the partnership between HSE and councils which has proved so productive over recent years continues to flourish. In these tough times for business it is more important than ever that councils have the resources available to help ensure employers can benefit from a fit, healthy and above all safe workforce. We mustn't forget that a safer business is a more productive one."

Notes to editors

1. The new strategy will be launched for consultation on 3 December 2008.
2. HSE's job is to protect people against risks to health or safety arising out of work activities. It is governed by the HSE Board and the Senior Management Team. The Board comprises nine members who are appointed following consultation with representative groups including employers, employees, local authorities and others. The Senior Management Team has twelve members holding key positions in HSE including its Operational and Policy Directors, Agency Chief Executives and Legal Advisor. HSE is accountable to Parliament via its Minister, Lord McKenzie, at the Department of Work and Pensions.

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