24 Mar - IOSH 10: Health and safety in "crisis" says Lord Young

Wednesday, 24 Mar 2010

Health and safety is in danger of "being laughed out of court", Lord David Young warned today as he addressed delegates at the IOSH Conference in Glasgow.

Lord Young, who is currently carrying out a review of the state of health and safety for the Conservatives, told the conference that, in the eyes of the general public, health and safety is regarded, "at best, as an object of ridicule and, at worst, a bureaucratic nightmare".

Citing a rash of ‘elf and safety’ stories from the national media as evidenc e of the perilous condition in which the profession is apparently regarded, Lord Young called on IOSH to look at ways to raise standards among consultants.

He said: "It took me five long years to qualify as a solicitor before I could practice and it takes doctors even longer. Yet, I can set up as a health and safety consultant tomorrow with no qualifications in the field."

He went on: "I know that IOSH is fully aware of this and that you recommend that consultants gain the Chartered member qualification before starting out – but you don’t insist on it. I am also aware that you recommend that your members follow a 19-point code of conduct – but, again, you don’t insist on it."

The recommendations of poorly-qualified consultants, said Lord Young, are being enforced through fear of insurance claims, which, more than anything else, is giving health and safety a bad name.

He concluded: "It is up to IOSH to look to the standards of its members, not just those who practice as consultants but also your members in industry and commerce. Above all, we must bring home that health and safety is not about the elimination of all risk but about the application of common sense."

Asked by conference chair, Gavin Esler, if he meant that IOSH should have some regulatory powers to enforce standards in health and safety, Lord Young suggested that perhaps IOSH should lobby for them.

Delegates also questioned him about the Conservatives’ policy on health and safety in respect of the Police and emergency services. The Tories have already stated that, should they be elected, they would amend the HSWA in this regard so that the duty of the Police to the public takes precedence over any health and safety concerns. Lord Young added that "this should apply to all the uniformed services".

Source: SHP Online Mar 2010