The Young Report: our response

01 November 2010

The UK government report on health and safety, ‘Common sense, common safety’, published last month, presents a series of recommendations that could have far-reaching consequences.

On the day the document was published, we issued a press release, and gave journalists our immediate response. We’re now working on a detailed review of the Young Report and will publish a policy briefing later in November. The briefing will form part of our discussions with MPs and others in the next few months.

Next year, the government will be consulting formally on recommendations around work health and safety:

• January – changes to how the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations operate
• early 2011 – changes to how standards are assessed in large, multi-outlet businesses
• March – consolidating health and safety law into a “single set of accessible regulations”
• spring – reform of civil justice,  and a new voluntary code of practice to cover adventure activities

These consultations give you a chance to get your views known. Keep an eye on the website and Connect to see when consultation papers have been released so that we can take your comments on board when we compile our formal submissions.

In the meantime, you can send us your comments on the Health and Safety Executive’s new online risk assessment tool for offices, or on the tools for classrooms and shops due in November and December, so we can provide feedback to the HSE.

• Listen to a podcast with Dr Luise Vassie, Head of Research and Technical Services at IOSH, on how to have your say on the government consultations here or click on the player on the right hand side of the screen.

• Read about the recently introduced Private Member’s Bills on health and safety.