Views sought on code to improve targeting of local authority health and safety inspections

Date:

21 December 2012

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has today opened a consultation on proposals to ensure LA health and safety inspections are targeted at workplaces or activities with the most serious risks or where there is evidence of poor performance.

The LA National Code aims to ensure greater consistency and a tighter focus in the enforcement of health and safety across Britain.

HSE is now seeking views from all those involved in local authority health and safety regulation and the businesses they regulate.

Elaine Harbour, Head of the Local Authority Unit at HSE, said:

"Local authorities have an important part to play in ensuring the effective and proportionate management of risks by businesses. The code sets out how their interventions should be targeted on higher risk activities, businesses and sectors. We want to hear from businesses and local authorities who will be affected by the proposals as part of the consultation process."

The consultation will run until Friday 1 March 2013 and can be found on the HSE website.

Notes to editors

1. The Health and Safety Executive is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. 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. www.hse.gov.uk
2. The consultation document is available online at http://www.hse.gov.uk/consult/condocs/cd247.htm

Press enquiries

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