5 Year Strategy Launched by HSE

The HSE has published its finalised strategy for the health and safety system of Great Britain.

The ten goals for improvement in health and safety include:

• Better worker involvement
• Reduction of major incidents
• Supporting small businesses in their bid to improve health and safety performance
• Improving competence leadership and risk management in the workplace
• A commitment to maintain appropriate levels of enforcement

The Executive has indicated that the function of the strategy is not only to improve its own performance over the coming years, but to also give a point of reference to employers, trades unions and other stakeholders who will be invited to help to achieve its aims by signing a pledge.

So far Twenty two organisations have signed including, Institute of directors, Royal Mail, British Airports Authority, Corus, The Trades Union Congress and The Confederation of British Industry. Additionally, the Engineering Employer’s Federation have issued their own plan to support the strategy which will involve safety trainers and employers to improve safety leadership and tackle the problem of musculoskeletal problems.

One of the strategy’s initiatives will be to encourage workplace training in areas other than just knowledge based subjects such as what the law requires but including “Softer” issues about confidence building, assessing situations and decision taking. The HSE will also promote combined training for managers and health and safety representatives to encourage joint problem solving.

An additional section of the document deals with the need to develop an understanding of risk within the school curriculum.

National health and safety performance will continue to be measured against targets for reductions in workplace accidents, illness and days lost.

The full document The Health and Safety of Great Britain: be Part of the Solution is at www.hse.gov.uk/strategy/strategy.htm