 |
Safety Net Journal Issue 9 |
 |
New enforcement standard for H&S Inspectors
By Tony Larkin
HSE has issued new standards for health and safety enforcers including the Local Authority inspectors who cover most workplaces where Usdaw members work.
Under Section 18 of Health and Safety at Work Etc Act 1974 the HSE and Local Authorities (L.A.s) both have a duty to 'make adequate arrangements for enforcement'. The new Standard called 'Making a Difference' is intended to show that L.A.s and Field Operations Directorate of HSE are equal partners in enforcement.
Previous Section 18 guidance was less prescriptive than standards set for other enforcement regimes, such as food safety. As a result there was a national decline in L.A. resources devoted to health and safety enforcement in the 1990s. While some L.A.s have been working hard on health and safety enforcement, others have done very little.
In recent years steps to strengthen the partnership between HSE and L.A.s have started to reverse that national decline. The HSE has worked closely with LACORS (the co-ordinating body for local authority regulatory services) and more effort has been made to make elected councillors aware of L.A. responsibilities for health and safety enforcement. The new standards are intended to boost partnership between L.A.s and HSE and to make sure that L.A.s devote adequate resources to health and safety enforcement.
Members who are active as local councillors should watch out for the new standards and for reviews of enforcement activity as a result of the standards.
To find out more and to see a video message from the chair of the HSE,Judith Hackitt, go to http://www.hse.gov.uk/section18/index.htm
HSE has also issued simple web-based guidance to L.A.s on the priority topics to be covered in sectors such as retail and distribution - http://www.hse.gov.uk/fit3street/ The guidance explains what the priority topics are for inspection and enforcement in each sector and also gives links to HSE guidance on enforcement action. In retail, for example, the HSE says inspectors should focus on musculoskeletal disorders, slips and trips, violence and aggression, asbestos, dermatitis and asthma.
Source: HSE
 Printer Friendly Page  Email to a Friend
|
