The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has this month launched a three month consultation on its new strategy "The Health and Safety System of Great Britain Be Part of the Solution", at events in London, Edinburgh and Cardiff.
The decision to develop a new strategy has been prompted by a range of factors, including: the recent slowing of improvement in Great Britain's health and safety performance; the changing industrial landscape with an increase in small businesses and the self-employed; the different risks posed by new sectors and the need to regain the health and safety brand from those who misuse it to proliferate bureaucracy and as an excuse for other things.
The strategy, which will reset the direction for health and safety, outlines a number of goals to be achieved, including:
Speaking at the London launch, HSE chair Judith Hackitt said, "We are calling on all those involved in workplace health and safety - employers, self-employed, employees, trade unions, manufacturers, suppliers - to work with us on delivering these goals. We all share the same mission; to prevent death, injury and ill health in our workplaces, but the HSE and its local authority partners, as the regulators for health and safety, cannot do this alone. This is why we are seeking support and involvement from all stakeholders to be part of the solution."
