Risk, Health and Safety Information

Government reveals first regulations for the chop post-Löfstedt

The Government has launched a consultation today (23 January) that represents the first step in its bid to reduce health and safety legislation by half over the next two years.

The consultation document (CD238) proposes the revocation of seven statutory instruments, which have been identified as being redundant, or that have been overtaken by up-to-date legislation. They are:

• The Anthrax Prevention Order 1971 etc (Revocation) Regulations 2005;
• The Employment Medical Advisory Service (Factories Act Orders etc Amendment) Order 1973;
• The Health and Safety (Foundries etc) (Metrication) Regulations 1981;
• Non-ferrous Metals (Melting and Founding) Regulations 1962;
• Pottery (Health and Welfare) Special Regulations 1950
• Pottery (Health etc) (Metrication) Regulations 1982
• Regulations for use of locomotives and wagons on lines and sidings in or used in connection with premises under the Factory and Workshop Act 1901 (1906) (1906 No.679)

The consultation is part of the HSE’s work to deliver the recommendation by Prof Ragnar Löfstedt in his recent review that sector-specific regulations be consolidated by April 2015.

However, the Government wants to go further than this, with Employment minister Chris Grayling telling the House of Commons today that its aim is to “reduce health and safety legislation by 50 per cent by 2014”.

The minister told the House: “Britain has the best record in Europe for preventing deaths and serious injuries in the workplace, but it also has the worst record for unnecessary red tape. This Government hopes that a simpler regulatory structure will contribute to a change in the bizarre decision-making that has been going on in the name of health and safety.”

However, when challenged by parliamentary colleagues to acknowledge that Prof Löfstedt’s recommendation was to consolidate regulation rather than remove it, and that reducing regulation could actually increase the cost of health and safety to society, the minister said the Government’s efforts are “all about not undermining what health and safety is really about and instead creating an easily understood system”.

He continued: “Prof Löfstedt identified which rules are complicated and we need to get back to a simple regime in order to protect people in the workplace.”

In response to Labour MP Kate Clark’s query as to why the Government is “peddling the myth” that the Löfstedt review deemed health and safety regulation to be excessive, Mr Grayling said it is not the Government that is at fault in this respect but “local authorities and middle managers”, who give out disproportionate advice.

To access the consultation document on the revocation of the seven instruments, visit www.hse.gov.uk/consult/live.htm The consultation ends on 12 March 2012