New Online Guidance From HSE Continues To Replace Guidance Documents

With the increasing number of HSE guidance document hard copies being deleted without notice, having escaped the notice of many USR's in favour of only an on-line presence; the HSE claims that by doing so it is making health and safety simpler to access and understand.

However, the devil is in the details and buried within this news release is the view that office based workers, don't need to be cared for by their employers to the same degree as other workers. It appears to state that health surveillance in such working areas as offices and similar don't need occupational health monitoring at all!

Further, it is debatable as to the convenience for a factory manager, a motor vehicle depot manager, or garage worker to go on-line for guidance rather than simply pulling out a small guidance document from a shelf! Many workplace environments don't lend themselves to immediate on-line access.

In their press release issued 20th March, HSE announces the latest guidance document being deleted from circulation:

New online guidance has been launched to make it easier for employers to understand what they need to do to check and protect their workers' health.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published new guidelines on health surveillance, which may be needed if there is a risk that workers could be exposed to chemicals or other hazardous substances likely to harm their health.

Developed with industry, the clear and simple guidance makes it easier for employers to decide whether their workers need health surveillance, how to go about it and how to use the results.

The guidance also makes it clearer when action is not needed, saving lower-risk businesses, such as those that are office- based, from wasting time and money.

Past exposure to harmful substances at work is responsible for an estimated 12,000 deaths each year.

Paul Beaumont, HSE's policy lead for health surveillance, said:

"We know from our work with industry that some businesses can be unclear about when health surveillance is needed and how to implement it, so are deterred from taking action.

Other companies could be wasting money unnecessarily by implementing it where it's not needed. This new guidance, developed with industry, should help take any mystery away and give employers the confidence to know whether or not health surveillance is appropriate.
Ultimately, better targeted health surveillance can lead to a healthier workforce and a more productive business."

The new online guidance replaces HSG61 "Health Surveillance at Work".

It can be found online at http://www.hse.gov.uk/health-surveillance/index.htm

See also: Freedom Of Information Request Regarding Abolished HS Legislation Made To The HSE

Source: HSE / Unionsafety

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