Could Health & Safety Be Getting Sensible?

Tuesday, 23. November 2010

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Our Government said that they would review some of our health and safety regulations with a view to reduce the ridiculous levels that some regulations have reached making it difficult for companies to function properly. After releasing his report Common Sense, Common Safety, Lord Young has been criticised for ignoring some of the improvements in conditions that health and safety regulations have introduced into the workplace. Whilst it was Lord Young’s intention to reduce bureaucracy surrounding health and safety legislation many have criticised his attempt to use the opportunity to make legislation proportionate to the level of risk. I’ve always contended that we were heading towards a total nanny state, lets face it if all vehicles were banned we would avoid all road deaths and injuries but it isn’t practical. I was watching the TV the other evening and I saw an underground train running in Hong Kong, the whole of the platform edge was a wall of glass, the train stopped perfectly at the doors of the wall and as the doors of the train opened so did the doors of the wall. As the train was about to leave both sets of doors shut, after the train left the station there was no way that anyone could fall onto the tracks. Compare that with our underground system in London. People stand inches away from the edge of the open platform as trains cruise into the station. Compare the obvious risk to some of the at work regulations and they all seem totally out of proportion. So I’m a great believer in introducing common sense into health and safety and making the regulations proportionate to the risk As the at work regulations apply to vehicles used for business, I shall watch with interest as the changes are rolled out and will report on any changes to the rules affecting drivers. By Graham Hill