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2011 - Wrapped in Red Tape
If for nothing else 2011 will be remembered from a health, safety and environmental perspective as a significant year of change. While not as dramatic, as say 2004, it has nonetheless touched a lot of issues.
The Löfstedt review ‘Reclaiming health and safety for all’ has set some clear initiatives for 2012 and beyond. Some will impact on all organisations with changes and updates needed; others will largely go unnoticed by most. The following areas have been highlighted from the review:
- Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981
- Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007
- Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR)
- Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (with respect to portable appliance testing)
- Work at Height Regulations 2005
Environmentally, we have seen the first Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC) performance league tables produced, The Carbon Plan outlined, mandatory reporting on greenhouse gas emissions consulted on and a host of additional initiatives change and develop feed in tariffs (FITs) and the Green Deal to name but two.
Through the Red Tape Challenge, both major topics have had their time in the ‘spotlight’ too, directly or indirectly. As with the proposed Planning Regulation reforms, they have also divided opinion. Interestingly, as we will continue to see with the industry response to the changes in FITs, some of this could travel from unpopular to potentially illegal. We will have to wait and see on this though.
Looking forward, what is assured is the need for organisations to proactively manage the aspects of health, safety and environment under their control. To know where they stand against compliance and intelligently manage the risk associated with their operations. To paraphrase Lord Young – “offices, shops and schools are low hazard environments” – for most this is true, they only become low risk when you do something about it.
With all these changes maintaining the current status quo is not an option. As in business, if you are standing still, you are really going backwards, so perhaps 2012 would be the ideal time to strategically review your provisions and set some new objectives?
Written by Greg Davies, Head of Service Development, Assurity Consulting
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