February 27, 2004—A “radical” new strategy to improve future standards of workplace health and safety in Great Britain has been launched by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Health & Safety Commission (HSC). The strategy sets out a new direction for the health and safety system and the roles of HSC, the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), and local authorities (LAs) that HSC says is “ambitious but realistic,” focusing on managing risks, not eliminating them. HSE and LAs will target resources on the areas of greatest need and emphasize advice and support where risks are well managed.
The HSC strategy aims to improve Britain’s “already commendable” record by:
- Focusing resources on poor performance to get best results;
- Promoting greater involvement of workers: the strategy recognizes that the people best placed to make workplaces safe are staff and managers;
- Making information readily accessible and providing clearer and simpler advice; and
- Involving all stakeholders and forging close working relationships where everyone has a voice and can contribute.
“The Strategy for Workplace Health and Safety in Great Britain to 2010 and beyond” can be accessed on the HSE Web site. Copies are also available free from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA, tel.: 01787-881165 or fax: 01787-313995.
