Union Safety Reps Applauded By H&S Minister

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, minister for health and safety addressed the 17th annual Hazards conference in Manchester last weekend, and called for greater partnership working to protect British workers and give Great Britain a health and safety system that leads the world.

In his speech Lord Hunt re-iterated the important role that health and safety representatives play in improving the protection to their fellow workers and how good communication between the workforce and the employer is vital in raising standards and keeping workplaces safe for all who work there.

Lord Hunt said, “I want to take this opportunity to thank all safety representatives, for being there, for your continued commitment to health and safety. You do a vital job, day in, day out, and have a vital role in helping to make workplaces safer.”

Also covered in the speech was the role that formal enforcement plays in raising standards. He talked about a clear commitment to targeted, consistent and proportionate enforcement that does not place unnecessary burdens on businesses but bring to account those whose failings put workers health and safety at risk.

Great Britain has an excellent health and safety record, with injuries requiring more than three days off work falling by 67% since the introduction of the Health and Safety at Work Etc Act in 1974.

This has been achieved by all parties working closely together; regulators, industry and trades unions, but more still need to be done.

Lord Hunt continued, “There is absolutely no room for complacency, we still have far too many people coming to harm as a result of work. We all want to see significant risks well managed and we need HSE and Local Authorities to work with business to help improve risk management standards. But I also expect them to be tough on those businesses that willfully break the law.”

Source: HSE

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