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News release

25 November 2010 - NR 55/10

Lord Brougham

Government urged to protect workers during difficult months ahead

The Government needs to be clearer on how a drive to cut red tape will not damage standards of health and safety at work, the House of Lords heard today.

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) wants clarity on how the administration’s much-publicised review of health and safety will improve safeguards for workers in the private and public sectors at a time when managers are looking to cut costs.

Speaking during a debate on the review, led by Lord Young, IOSH Honorary Vice President Lord Brougham and Vaux (pictured above) said: “Lord Young’s report details his own views on how to make things easier for organisations to address health and safety - in his view, making it less bureaucratic, less time-consuming.

“But we would like to see greater clarity on how this would happen without compromising health and safety standards. Here, the devil is in the ambiguity.

“We look forward to working with the Government to scrutinise the proposed health and safety legislation and to address what should be our first concern –
how to keep people healthy and safe at work in the difficult months and years ahead.”

IOSH welcomed the publication of Lord Young of Graffham’s report, Common Sense, Common Safety, on October 15, but the chartered body said the report raised important questions on whether a drive to cut red tape will mean a cut in standards in health and safety.

Lord Brougham told peers: “We fully support any effort to rein back on unnecessary bureaucracy, but in the weeks and months ahead, the welfare of workers is on the line.

“We are told this is a time of austerity, a time when the Government is looking at managers to cut costs – and for entrepreneurs to set up the new, fledgling businesses of tomorrow.

“Has it ever been more critical, then, to protect people at work? Enterprise is to be encouraged, but surely not at any cost.

“In encouraging growth, there is a very real risk for any Government of creating an environment in which it is easier to die, be injured or fall ill at work.”

- Ends -

Notes for editors:

IOSH is the Chartered body for health and safety professionals. With more than 40,000 members in 85 countries, we’re the world’s biggest professional health and safety organisation.

We set standards, and support, develop and connect our members with resources, guidance, events and training. We’re the voice of the profession, and campaign on issues that affect millions of working people.

IOSH was founded in 1945 and is a registered charity with international NGO status.