Final Report on Implementation of Health & Safety Reforms Published

The final report on the implementation of health and safety reforms has been published by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

In June 2010, the Prime Minister asked Lord Young to investigate the standing of health and safety, and this report is the final update on the work done on implementing Professor Löfstedt’s subsequent report and Lord Young’s recommendations.

Professor Löfstedt’s Reclaiming Health and Safety for All: An independent review of health and safety legislation (2011), drew on the public’s views, and highlighted that whilst the health and safety law was largely correct, it was recommended the Health and Safety’s Executive’s (HSE) Guidance should simplify its structure therefore helping businesses comply more easily.

What has changed?

Changes to the following key areas are identified in the DWP report:

• During the period reviewed, The HSE has undertaken an extensive guidance review and reduced the overall stock of legislation by 50 per cent. By redesigning the HSE website the HSE has intended to help businesses find straightforward help and advice on what they need.
• In order to ensure that low risk businesses which take a responsible attitude to health and safety are not subject to unnecessary health and safety inspections, the Government has shifted the focus of health and safety regulators to concentrate their efforts on higher risk industries. Whilst the focus may have shifted onto higher risk industries, it is noted that “the HSE continues to take robust action where there has been a breach of the health and safety legislation”.
• The HSE’s Fee For Intervention (FFI) scheme began operating on 1 October 2012 and enables the HSE to recover costs from businesses found by an inspector to be in significant breach of the law. The new cost recovery scheme is intended to act as a deterrent to those who would otherwise fail to meet their obligations and a level playing field for those who do.
• On 1 October 2013, updated guidance was issued for the replacement of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases & Dangerous Occurrences Regulation 1995 (RIDDOR), supported by simplified web- based guidance. The changes were intended to clarify and simplify reporting requirements for businesses for effective regulation and statistical purposes.

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