New strategy to be launched 3 June 2009

Operational Notice EO42:09 13 May 2009

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will launch its new strategy Be Part of the Solution on Wednesday 3 June.

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Rt. Hon James Purnell will give the keynote address. Mr Purnell will be joined by Judith Hackitt CBE, Chair of HSE; Brendan Barber, General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC); Gilbert Toppin, CEO of manufacturers' organisation Engineers Employers' Federation (EEF), and Councillor Sir Steve Bullock, Chairman of the Local Government Association (LGA) Human Resources Panel (and Mayor of Lewisham). There will be an opportunity for questions to the panel.

The strategy will explain that for Great Britain's health and safety record to improve, everyone in the workforce must act together to minimise risks while maintaining business competitiveness. In particular, business leaders will need to ensure that in difficult economic times corners are not cut, resulting in death and serious injuries to workers.

HSE's new strategy will be launched at a press conference on 3 June at 10am at Westminster Central Hall - Storey's Gate Westminster, London, SW1H 9NH.

HSE is also undertaking research into attitudes towards workplace safety and people's perceptions of risk. The results are expected to be surprising and will be publicised ahead of the launch of the new strategy.

Notes to editors

• HSE's mission is to prevent death, injury and ill health in Great Britain's workplaces.. It does so through research, information and advice, promoting training, new or revised regulations and codes of practice and, working with local authority partners, by inspection, investigation and enforcement.
• HSE ran a three month consultation on the new strategy, and invited a wide range of stakeholders to take part. Further information on the consultation can be found here www.hse.gov.uk/strategy

Press enquiries

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