Health and Safety Minister, Arlene Foster, has launched a new strategy to improve the regulation of health and safety at work in Northern Ireland.
The strategy, entitled "Health and safety at work: protecting lives not stopping them" primarily aims to reduce the number of workplace injuries and cut work related ill-health. It has been developed by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI), along with the 26 district councils who share responsibility for regulating workplace health and safety.
Minister Foster said, "This strategy represents a highly significant development in the partnership between the HSENI and the district councils as regulators. I welcome their commitment to work together, to ensure a fully co-ordinated approach to the regulation of health and safety at work. The strategy will enable the HSENI and the district councils to be more proactive and innovative in sharing resources and expertise, to address the needs of both employers and employees. It will also enable the HSENI and the councils to regulate workplace health and safety more effectively by improved joint planning and by sharing appropriate resources such as training and information."
The Minister added, "I have no doubt that this approach will reduce unnecessary burdens on businesses in Northern Ireland, which is particularly relevant in the current economic and social climate. It will also achieve value for money, create positive outcomes and most importantly, save lives and reduce work-related injuries and ill-health."
Moreover, Danny McSorley, Chief Executive of Omagh District Council, said, "This new strategy is about better regulation and will assist us as regulators in demonstrating to employers the value of implementing a common sense and practical health and safety system in terms of increased productivity, increased workforce commitment and enhanced reputation. Our goal in all of this is to achieve a safer and healthier working environment for all in a cost effective, customer focused and holistic way. And I, along with the other chief executives, am confident that the direction provided by this new strategy will enable us to achieve that goal."
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