Government Axeing Of 50 Percent Of Health And Safety Regulations Begins

The Government yesterday (23rd January) launched a consultation that represents the first step in its bid to reduce health and safety legislation by half over the next two years.
 
The HSE website refers to the consultation document (CD238) which seeks views on the Health and Safety Executive's proposals to revoke six Regulations and one Order that have been identified as being redundant or that have been overtaken by more up-to-date Regulations. These are:

• The Anthrax Prevention Order 1971 etc (Revocation) Regulations 2005;
• The Employment Medical Advisory Service (Factories Act Orders etc Amendment) Order 1973;
• The Health and Safety (Foundries etc) (Metrication) Regulations 1981;
• Non-ferrous Metals (Melting and Founding) Regulations 1962;
• Pottery (Health and Welfare) Special Regulations 1950
• Pottery (Health etc) (Metrication) Regulations 1982
• Regulations for use of locomotives and wagons on lines and sidings in or used in connection with premises under the Factory and Workshop Act 1901 (1906) (1906 No.679)

The consultation is part of the HSE’s remit to deliver the recommendation by Prof Ragnar Löfstedt in his recent review that sector-specific regulations be consolidated by April 2015.

However, Employment minister Chris Grayling told the House of Commons yesterday that its aim is to “reduce health and safety legislation by 50 per cent by 2014”. This despite Cameron's earlier Health & Safety 'monster' speech were he said that he wanted 50% of H&S regulations gone by the ned of 2012.

Grayling told the House: “Britain has the best record in Europe for preventing deaths and serious injuries in the workplace, but it also has the worst record for unnecessary red tape. This Government hopes that a simpler regulatory structure will contribute to a change in the bizarre decision-making that has been going on in the name of health and safety.”

The TUC refute this statement as being 'rubbish; in its latest and first health and safety campaign bulletin leading to action on 28th April, Workers Memorial Day:

" The Government has also said that we do not need any more regulation because Britain is one of the safest countries in the world. This is rubbish. According to the Health and Safety Risk Index, published in January 2010 the UK’s health and safety performance was 20th out of the 34 OECD (developed) nations."

When challenged by parliamentary colleagues to acknowledge that Prof Löfstedt’s recommendation was to consolidate regulation rather than remove it, and that reducing regulation could actually increase the cost of health and safety to society, the Grayling said the Government’s efforts are “all about not undermining what health and safety is really about and instead creating an easily understood system”.

He continued: “Prof Löfstedt identified which rules are complicated and we need to get back to a simple regime in order to protect people in the workplace.”

In response to Labour MP Kate Clark’s query as to why the Government is “peddling the myth” that the Löfstedt review deemed health and safety regulation to be excessive, Grayling said it is not the Government that is at fault in this respect but “local authorities and middle managers”, who give out disproportionate advice.

Given that Grayling refused to take evidence from Families Against Corporate Killers on three separate occasions, it is clear he does not wish reality and actual facts to get in the way of his and cameron's intention to remove 'anything' that protects workers, be it health and safety or employment protection.
 
It is important that all USRs and their Trade Unions take part in the consultation process which ends on the on 12 March 2012.

Click the pic above to go to the HSE website to take part, either on-line or by downloading the consultation document.

Source: SHP / DWP / TUC / HSE