News
Health and Safety Update (June 2009)
HSE launches New Strategy
The HSE launched its new strategy on Wednesday 3 June
2009.
The aim is to involve everyone within the workforce in order to
improve Britain's health and safety record and promote minimising
risk while maintaining business competitiveness.
The HSE is also undertaking research into attitudes towards
workplace safety and people's perceptions of risk.
The published strategy – which went through rigorous
consultation earlier this year – is not markedly different from the
draft version published at the end of 2008. Two changes that have
been made is the need for risk education to start early in schools,
and the emphasis under the broader umbrella of training, on the
development of "soft skills" – giving people the confidence to make
the right risk decisions.
Businesses are asked to ensure that corners are not cut in times
of economic difficulty, resulting in death and serious injuries to
workers. It is vital that employers are aware of implications for
health and safety negligence in the light of the first case allowed
under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007,
due in court on 17 June.