23 September 2004 - HSE Proposals to Provide Accessible Channels for Help and Advice to Businesses
An announcement was made by Mr. Bill
Callaghan, Chair of Health and Safety Commission (HSC) of proposals by the
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for the provision of accessible advice
channels to companies who may have a perceived fear of enforcements if they
contact the HSE, thus perhaps alerting them to their problems.
The HSC's Strategy for workplace health and safety was published in February
this year and identified the problems within workplaces, especially small
businesses, who wish to comply with health and safety regulations, but were
fearful of contacting the HSE or local authorities, perceiving this would
alert them to their problems and perhaps lead to enforcements.
Mr. Bill Callaghan spoke at the QMW Public Policy seminar at London's Queen
Mary University and said:
“In the Strategy we commit ourselves to developing channels of advice and support that can be accessed without the perceived fear of enforcement action. I can announce reaching the first milestone in this project: today HSE has published a Statement summarising the range of issues we are pursuing and setting out the next stages of the work”.
The statement highlights:
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The option of separating the enforcement and advisory functions and HSE’s intention to consider this in greater detail
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How HSE is developing and improving its existing services, particularly where there is a perceived fear of enforcement at the point of delivery
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How HSE will share what it learns about providing accessible guidance with local authorities so that they can continue to develop their respected role as providers of advice
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How HSE will work with others to develop and improve other channels of advice and guidance.
The proposals within the Statement, will be
kept under review by the HSE and will measure the successes of it.
Development and improvement will be looked at by the HSE within their
existing services, particularly their internet services. They
plan to improve the internet services by, for example, providing on-line
advice forums, which by way of "online communities", specific issues can be
dealt with. The reach and scope of the HSE's Infoline is also an
area which will be improved.
The public enquiry contact centre of the HSE will be extended and will be
the main communication point for anyone who may seek advice and guidance,
which they are unable to find from the website.
The Statement fulfils the commitment in HSC’s Strategy, to produce “proposals for accessible channels of advice and guidance free from the perceived fear of enforcement by September 2004”, and can be accessed by clicking the following link: An HSE statement on providing accessible advice and support
Article by Alexandra Johnston
