HSE Updates Guidance On Worker Involvement In H&S

New guidance issued for business has been issued by the HSE, together with an updated website section regarding this major health and safety issue.

Confirming, yet again what all USRs already know, that in workplaces that have safety reps and worker involvement fewer accidents occur and therefore fewer costs to business due to sick leave and litigation.

Whilst worker involvement is highlighted in the new leaflet to small businesses encouraging this, the mention of Union Safety Reps is kept quietly to the last paragraph on the fourth page of the six page document.

Further in a new video message from Judith Hackitt on the HSE website, USRs are not even mentioned by her.

That said, it is clear that the HSE are now realising that worker involvement still remains a problem for a majority of small businesses who traditionally are not union organised, involve their workforce at minimum levels and are an area of industry where risks are often not managed well or even at all.

The main message in the leaflet 'Involving Your Workforce' is: "Your employees often know best about the health and safety issues in your workplace and how to deal with them. There is also evidence to show that businesses which involve workers in managing health and safety actually have better health and safety standards, better productivity and a more motivated workforce."

The website does also point business in the direction of the appropriate legislation and makes the point that consulting and involving the workforce is nothing to be afraid of. It also makes it clear that managers have the final responsibility for the health and and safety of their workforce and must manage it irrespective of whether or not safety reps in whatever form exist.

In the video message, Judith Hackitt tells business to "do it!" and involve the workforce and enjoy the benefits and because it is the right thing to do.

With both Judith Hackitt and Lord McKenzie speaking out this month regarding worker involvement it is to be hoped that things will improve, although we will have to wait and see as the UK goes into recession and training and specifically H&S training gets shelved due to the old false argument of cost.

Download and view Judith Hackitt's video message here (right click to download)

Got o HSE Worker Involvement website pages here

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