Government Website Attacking Health And Safety Given Second Bite

The Government recently expressed concerns that its flagship website, Red Tape Challenge was being high jacked by those with a vested interest and that not enough businesses were using the website to argue for reduction in health & safety legislation.

Taking one look at the website, with Health & Safety being listed under 'General' category of legislation, it is easy to see why they have such concerns. Whilst many are pushing the government's line that H&S laws are just red tape, the overwhelming view seems to be of support for the current health and safety regime to remain.

In order to give company bosses and SMEs a second chance to bite a huge chunk out of health & safety legislation, the website will be launching a new section devoted purely to health & safety on 30th June. No doubt the current comments and opinions will be wiped out and ignored, as the business lobby pushed by the CBI start to wake up and provide the support for the slashing of health and safety regulation the government wants.

The site in the meantime has been revamped with a new design for its home page. This also includes a ticker tape of current comments that can be read without going into any specific section of the website. It is here that it lists health and safety under 'Coming Up' with a date of 30th June.

Whilst many in the trade union movement believe that to respond to the website is a waste of time and playing the Tory game, there are those who believe that the message to the government to leave health & safety alone, other than to enforce current legislation and beaf up the HSE, must be put to them at any opportunity.

The risk now is that the new opportunity on 30th June to attack health & safety again via the Red Tape Challenge website, will be filled with comments that the government will use as justification to slash and burn current legislation.

Source: Unionsafety

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