The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) has announced its decision to move to the next stage of its consultation process on the merger between themselves and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The proposed merger, which we reported back in the January 2007 Monthly Bulletin, will bring the HSC's governance arrangements in line with best practice and strengthen the links between strategy and delivery to allow the level of accountability expected of a public body in the 21st century.
Commenting on the decision, HSC Chair Bill Callaghan said, "Merging the Commission and the Executive into a single body will give us a more robust governance framework, improve our working practices and create a stronger voice for health and safety in Great Britain. Results from our recent extensive consultation shows 80% support for our proposals and clearly point us in this direction."
Callaghan will now invite Lord McKenzie of Luton, the Minister for Health and Safety, to carry out a further consultation on the detailed proposals required by the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006. This consultation will involve the organisations likely to be affected and will take place before a draft Legislative Reform Order is presented to the House of Commons and the House of Lords committees for scrutiny.
