‘Revitalising Health and Safety at Work'
An Evaluation of the Government’s/HSC’s Response to Consultation
‘Securing Health Together’
Since ‘revitalising’ was launched in June 1999 the Government have launched their ‘Securing Health Together’ (SHT) strategy which forms a key part of the overall ‘revitalising’ approach. Its broad aims are to reduce work related ill health (WRIH), meet needs for job adaptation and rehabilitation, reduce ill health and disability barriers in the labour market and use the workplace as an area for health improvement. Targets are set of for a 20 per cent a reduction in WRIH (workers and the public) and a 30 per cent reduction in days off due to WRIH by 2010 as well as universal access to job adjustment and rehabilitation by the end of the decade. A ‘Partnership Board’ has been set to carry the process through, working through Project Action Groups at five levels: securing compliance; encouraging continuous improvement; building knowledge; developing skills; and providing access to OH support. It is envisaged that the NHS will provide increased OH support to SMEs, via PCGs and Trusts. Beyond this, HSC/E will be looking for new initiatives and partnerships.
Comment
The ‘revitalising package’ (including SHT) is clearly aimed at stimulating fresh approaches to health and safety improvement, building on the advances achieved over the last twenty five years. No specific commitment has been given however to increasing government resources to HSC/E. On the other hand, there is a clear desire to unlock under-utilised resources elsewhere in the ‘health and safety system’ by encouraging new kinds of partnership and co-operation to ‘make ‘health and safety happen’.
|
RoSPA is a registered charity: Registered Charity No: 207823 Patron: Her Majesty the Queen RoSPA Head Office: Edgbaston Park, 353 Bristol Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B5 7ST, UK |
 |