MPs call for common sense in health and safety Laws
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patric.cunnangarbi.co.uk A GOVERNMENT-backed report on health and safety recommends simplifying legislation to cut red tape for small businesses carrying out risk assessments.
Transport is regarded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as one of the three most dangerous industries, alongside construction and agriculture.
The report Common Sense, Common Safety was produced for the government by Lord Young of Granarn. the former trade and industry secretary and newly appointed enterprise adviser to the Prime Minister. His report recommends simplifying risk assessment procedures for low hazard workplaces such as offices; requiring health and safety consultants to hold a professional qualification; and simplifying the procedure for personal injury claims.
It also recommends extending to £25,000 from £10,000 road traf
fic accident personal injury claims dealt with by a fast-track, fixedcost procedure. "This move is likely to be good for the industry," says transport lawyer Anton Balkitis. He adds that businesses paying insurance premiums have previously been faced with "disproportionate legal costs':
The report also calls for current health and safety legislation to be consolidated into a -single set of accessible regulations".
The transport side of a haulage operation is unlikely to be regarded as low hazard hut the recommendations could simplify procedures for traffic and admin offices, An HSE spokesman says: "Employers know their businesses better than anyone else and will know whether it is low risk, based on a lower rate of accidents and ill health."
The report also suggests reviewing RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries. Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995). The regulations require all accidents to be reported to a central register and Young questions whether there is a better means of compiling an accurate picture of UK workplace accidents.
• The HSE's online tool helps with risk assessment in offices: www.hse.gov.uldpress/2010/hse-officeriskassessment.htm