The following details have been supplied by the TUC:
The Health and Safety Executive is moving away from a dedicated mission seeking 'the prevention of death, injury and ill health to those at work and those affected by work activities' and adopting a new plan that also aims to 'enable innovation that brings economic growth'. In a preamble to its new work plan, HSE chair Judith Hackitt says the changes have been driven by the government's new safety strategy. This has slashed HSE's budget, down from £227.7m in 2009/10 to £198.7m by 2011/12, and demanded a dramatic cutback in inspection activity. The HSE chair notes: 'Change is never easy, but standing still is not an option.' In response to the new government safety strategy, Hackitt says HSE's Delivery Plan for 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012 outlines the steps the safety watchdog will take to 'enable innovation that brings economic growth while ensuring that risks are managed properly and proportionately'. The plans are grouped under four main headings: Transforming our approach; Avoiding catastrophe; Clarifying ownership of risk and improving compliance; and Securing justice. Critics say there's plenty of government departments and agencies promoting business innovation and growth, but only one intended to have protecting the life and limb of the workforce as its sole concern.
