HSE launches major new strategy
June 5, 2009
This week saw the HSE launch a major new strategy, entitled "Be Part of the Solution", at Central Hall Westminster, following months of consultation with hundreds of safety representatives and stakeholder organisations.
The new strategy is designed to reduce the number of workplace accidents while taking a common sense approach to ensuring that risk management is an enabler for business, not a burden.
A key part of the strategy encompasses plans to make £1 million worth of HSE publications available to download and print for free, to help support small to medium-sized enterprises in making informed decisions about health and safety.
The HSE says its latest research indicates that both employers and workers recognise overwhelmingly that providing a safe workplace makes sound commercial sense. Nearly 90% of business leaders say that people are their company's most important asset. In addition to preventing accidents, 65% of employees say that good health and safety practices make them feel valued.
However, the HSE is concerned that the recession could make some workplaces more dangerous, as more than a quarter of business leaders say that their organisation will face pressure to cut spending on health and safety this year. The safety body believes the most effective way to improve health and safety practices is for senior management to show leadership. Therefore, as part of its new strategy, the HSE is calling on leaders to sign a pledge to "Be part of the solution" and improve health and safety standards.
Introducing the strategy document, HSE Chair Judith Hackitt said: "HSE is not, and never will be, 'the fun police'. Our new strategy shows the way towards a common sense attitude to health and safety. As regulators, our approach to businesses will be proportionate to the risk they present and their approach to managing it."
Similarly, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, James Purnell said: "There are too many clichés about the role of 'health and safety' in our society. But amidst ridiculous myths about banning donkey rides and flip flops, the fact is that too many people are still needlessly killed or injured... The new HSE strategy recognises that a significant challenge now faces everyone with a stake in health and safety."
The union reaction to the strategy document was broadly positive, with Brendan Barber, General Secretary of the TUC, saying: "At a time when employers are trying to cut costs, getting the message across on the importance of health and safety is more important than ever. Today's strategy is short on rhetoric, but big in vision. Unions and health and safety representatives are committed to supporting this strategy as well as the day-to-day work of the HSE."
The strategy and pledge can be found on the HSE website.
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