Weakened HSE has 'dumbed down' role

Risks 29th Jan 2008 reported that a 'serious weakening' of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and a 'dumbing down' of its strategy is leaving workers without adequate protection and at risk of deadly diseases.

In its submission to the Work and Pensions Select Committee inquiry into the operations and work of the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) and HSE, which heard evidence this week, the Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) questioned the watchdog's strategy and called for more emphasis on prevention and enforcement. IOM's written evidence to the select committee notes that budget cuts combined with a 'serious weakening of HSE's specialist expertise' and 'an increased focus on sickness absence and incapacity, at the expense of the control of risks at work and the protection of workers from exposure to hazards... means that HSE is under-resourced to meet its core responsibilities.' I

OM adds it has particular concerns in relation to occupational diseases, such as chronic lung diseases caused by dust and chemicals and occupational cancer. The submission is also scathing about HSE's strategy. 'The shift in emphasis towards the management of sickness absence, the weakening of HSE's specialist expertise and enforcement capability, the move towards subjective risk assessments and away from data gathering, and the low public and political profile of occupational health have, we believe contributed to a 'dumbing down' of occupational health and safety particularly health,' it says. IOM also warns 'HSE seems to be trying to do too much by cooperation and persuasion, at the expense of its role in giving strong and clear direction, and in strong enforcement.' The reduced enforcement threat means 'many companies think HSE is without teeth,' the submission notes.