The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) recently appreciated the unflattering comments made by Conservative leader David Cameron on the defects inherent in the health and safety regulations. Cameron made these comments in a recent speech at the Policy Exchange meet.
In his speech, Cameron lamented that the regulations that were formulated as an honest attempt to protect employees and workers have gradually deteriorated into draconian measures aimed at monitoring and controlling every move of the people. Cameron’s speech has sparked off a debate on responsibilities and risks in the health and safety scenario in the country.
In this regard, John Holden, IOSH President, highlighted an uneasy paradox when he said that excessive control is a huge problem but at the same time, people do not want to bear the risks taken or errors committed by others.
Holden added that opposing views on the matter (control vs. freedom) is not welcome, given the fact that society tends to uphold individualism and freedom. A person is open to taking risks, but wants to have absolute freedom in the choice of risks. He does not want to take risks that others think are appropriate. People are also doubtful about risks that others want to take. Again, people want to hold others responsible for the risks undertaken, no matter what the circumstances are.
According to the Workplace Law MD, David Sharp, health and safety can never be pushed into watertight compartments. In fact, health and safety rules do not just tell what people cannot do; they are not all about restrictions. Sharp added that any scepticism about the effectiveness of safety legislations can be nullified by citing figures that show a recent decline in workplace deaths, which is a direct consequence of the imposition of these regulations.
IOSH training is designed to provide you with the knowledge to manage safely and effectively in compliance with both your organisation’s policy and best practice in health and safety, click on IOSH e-learning for information on a unique web-based training course leading to the award of the IOSH Managing Safely Certificate. Through the Workplace Law Direct Study Centre, you can study when you like, where you like on a tailored course to suit your needs of your team.
