Regulation debated as IOSH gives evidence
March 3rd 2008

Health and safety professionals have reiterated their call to regulate their profession during an appearance by senior members of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) before the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Select Committee.

Policy and technical director, Richard Jones, president Ray Hurst and trustee Ian Waldram appeared before the Select Committee to give evidence to the DWP's inquiry into the future of the Health and Safety Executive and Commission (HSE).

The IOSH panel was quizzed on a range of issues, including what can be done to tackle the negative public perception of health and safety in the UK, how the occupational health of the nation can be improved and the differences in enforcement between the UK and elsewhere.

After being asked a question by John Penrose MP on the issue of controlling consultants "overselling" their services and HSE reports of "60-page risk assessments", Richard Jones commented:

"There are no controls and that's why we are calling to make health and safety a regulated profession. The trouble is at present anyone can set themselves up as a health and safety consultant or adviser. We've produced a very short guide detailing what good practice for consultants should be like. All our members need to abide by that. We've also produced an employer's guide to hiring consultants saying that this is what you need to look for. There's a list of key questions they need to ask and we’re hoping this sort of advice will help."

Richard made it clear that competent advice doesn't over-interpret requirements and Ray Hurst and Ian Waldram supported this, highlighting that over-cautious decision-makers may not be IOSH members or may not have access to competent health and safety advice.

Emphasising that IOSH's focus is on prevention, Richard also reiterated the health and safety profession's willingness to help 'fill the gap' in supporting workers returning to work:

"There are less than 10,000 occupational health professionals and occupational hygienists out there. We have in excess of 32,000 members – this is one of the reasons we are developing a partnership with DWP."

He added that IOSH has proposed awareness training, allowing 10,000 health and safety professionals to take this on:

"We'd suggest the government fund this as they will be the main financial beneficiary – occupational injury and ill health has a societal cost of up to £31 billion a year, yet schemes like Workplace Health Connect cost just £20 million over two years. The savings on societal cost would be enormous. If the government succeeds in its aim of supporting one million people to come off incapacity benefit, that's a lot of potentially vulnerable people and there needs to be somebody there in the workplace to look after them. We have strength in numbers and our members can help managers to integrate people back in the workplace safely and sustainably."

To view the proceedings, visit the UK Parliament website

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