Government urged not to implement all of Lord Yong's
review
The Government has been urged by the Institution of Occupational
Safety and Health (IOSH) not to implement all the proposals
suggested in Lord Young's review, 'Common Sense, Common
Safety'. IOSH believe that it is 'overly simplistic' and will
jeopardise the safety and health of employees.
The report was commissioned after concerns from the Government
over what is seen as a huge raft of health and safety legislation
and the compensation culture.
IOSH welcomed the report as a 'long overdue attempt to restore
the reputation' of the profession. They responded with a document
entitled 'Getting the Balance Right'. IOSH believes that there are
problems with proposals made by Lord Young, and that the review has
'missed opportunities'. Health is generally ignored. Low hazard
workplace is not clearly defined. Standards required for health and
safety advisors/consultants are not included. There were many other
points made by IOSH which need to be addressed by those tasked with
these issues within the Government.
IOSH Chief Executive, Rob Strange, said, "We welcome the
Coalition Government's review, and its scrutiny of what David
Cameron describes as the 'damaging compensation culture' that has
over-shadowed genuine health and safety issues over the last few
years. For that alone it marks a turning point. But we urge the
Government not to opt for overly simplistic solutions that
compromise standards and leave hard-working people vulnerable.
Weaken health and safety, and you risk weakening both public health
and the national economy."
When the report was published in October 2010, the Government
said it would be accepting all of its recommendations.