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1 March 2006 - HSE Encourage Worker
Involvement in Health and Safety
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The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), in a bid to improve
levels of worker involvement in the management of health and safety, have
introduced a Worker Involvement Programme, which is aimed at encouraging
employers and workers to join together in managing the health and safety risks
within their workplaces.
The launch of the Worker Involvement Programme is published in a
new webpage, providing the necessary tools required for both employers and
workers to manage health and safety jointly.
Some of the information within the new webpage is as follows:
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What is meant by "Worker Involvement".
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Useful contacts for further help with consultation and
information outside health and safety.
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Legal position - including the duty to consult, what to consult
on and a summary of representatives’ statutory roles.
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Overview for employers of the benefits of involving employees
suggesting processes for involving workers in health and safety management,
including practical tips and examples.
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Case studies of organisations already benefiting from worker
involvement.
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Assessment tools such as a quick checklist. Examples of
good practice, to see how your organisation is doing and to monitor progress.
Zoe Woodrow, Policy Adviser in HSE's Worker Involvement
Programme said of the new initiative:
"The active involvement of workers is fundamental to good
health and safety management. However, we know that many employers find it
a difficult area to address. These resources provide a range of examples and
suggestions that we hope will help employers and managers to encourage joint
problem solving in their workplaces.
"The diversity of organisations that are benefiting from
worker involvement and the variety of systems they have put in place show that
there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution but that all organisations – whether in
the private or public sector, whether large multi-site operations or smaller
manufacturing firms – can involve workers in successful health and safety
management."
Steve Hinks, Environmental Health and Safety Manager at Pirelli
UK Tyres Ltd and Member of the HSC's Rubber Industry Advisory Committee said:
“We have long recognised the need for better engagement with
workers in managing health and safety risks in the rubber industry.
“Many companies, particularly smaller ones, are unsure of the
best ways to go about engaging with their workers in an area like health and
safety. We are pleased that HSE has produced these helpful materials and will be
promoting them to our members.”
The new HSE Worker Involvement webpage can be accessed by
clicking the following:
HSE Worker Involvement in Health and Safety
Article by Alexandra Johnston
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