Health and Safety
Executive / Commission
Simplification plan
In response to a stakeholder suggestion for a list of all health and safety regulations, HSE has created its Legislation web pages - much fuller and more interactive than just a list.
In its first month the Legislation site received nearly 24,000 hits. Since then the site has an average of 22,200 hits per month.
HSE webteam statistics
HSC/E has a strong track record and a good reputation with those it regulates. Since it was established in 1974 the number of fatal injuries has fallen by 76%. Long before the 2006 simplification plan, a risk-based approach was already firmly embedded in the regulatory framework and a modern approach to control of major hazards was in place.
Commitments in the 2006 plan that have been delivered include:
"...what this legislation is based on is the fact we have a world class industry that will continue to change and health and safety is an integral part of our duty, so we should welcome this. I think it is good government, I think it is quite brave government..."
Keith Clarke, CEO of Atkins
and Chair of the Construction Industry Council's H&S Group
The amended Construction (Design and Management) Regulations came into force in April 2007, consolidating four sets of regulations into one and restructuring, simplifying and clarifying the Regulations, including simplifying the project notification threshold requirements for formal appointments and plans, and the process for checking dutyholder competence. Key industry stakeholders expressed strong support for the new regulations.
In November 2006 the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 came into force; reducing three sets of regulations into one and removing the requirement to have a licence for work with asbestos-containing decorative coatings.
More detail on all of the completed initiatives is laid out in table A at the end of the plan.
In addition, HSE has made significant progress in the wider better regulation context. For example, the guidance jointly produced with the Electrical Contractors Association on competence schemes, and work with the Environment Agency to consider scope for data sharing and joint working.
Also within wider better regulation, HSE has made progress on negotiating in Europe to ensure that better regulation principles are taken into account during the development of EU policy. HSE successfully influenced the Council resolution on the EU Occupational Health and Safety Strategy to 2012 to include a call on the European Commission to improve and simplify the administrative and regulatory framework by taking into account the EC’s commitment to reduce administrative burdens by 25%.
HSC/E has continued to build closer working relationships with Local Authorities to ensure a consistent, proportionate and targeted approach to enforcement, such as the Local Authority Chief Executives’ commitment to the Principles of Sensible Risk Management at the Local Government Association conference in July 2007.
Footnote
- RIDDOR – The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995. [back]