Folksonomics

With the Government’s new policy becoming liberal, the HSE appears to be losing its power. Strict regulations are no longer the order of the day and organisations that violate safety rules are no longer worried about prosecution.

In a study conducted by the Liverpool University and Liverpool John Moores University, alarming statistics have come to light causing worry. The report, ‘Regulatory Surrender: death, injury and the non-enforcement of law’, clearly indicates that inspections by HSE have fallen by over 65% and investigations over health and safety incidents have come down by 68%.

It is alarming to note that even prosecutions of companies with respect to HSE regulations breach has reduced by 48%. This is a direct consequence of the changes in government policies over the last ten years.

While the new changes were aimed to bring in a fresh whiff of air to the ’saturated’ HSE, it has only resulted in a fresh threat to the safety of workers. Clearly, there is serious concern about the government’s initiative and its effects.

The HSE appears to have lost most of its powers and is no longer conducting vigilant inspections and prosecuting offenders. Businesses that knowingly or unknowingly commit safety offences are no longer bothered and profitability is the only goal. The workforce stands to lose the most with no regulatory authority to look up to.

Dr David Whyte, Reader in Sociology at the University of Liverpool, is truly concerned that investigations have reduced resulting in fewer prosecutions. He cited an example about how only one third of amputations were investigated by the Health and Safety Executive. It is definitely a case of lost powers and no holds.

It appears that the new policies flouted by the government have only resulted in a complete mockery of the health and safety practices at workplace.

Staff and management must be fully aware of and comply with health and safety regulations. An IOSH Training Course can assist companies in training staff to be aware of the proper health and safety procedures within their organisations health and safety management system.