Business Sustain

The review was chaired by Professor Ragnar Löfstedt and his report, 'Reclaiming health and safety for all' makes 26 recommendations in total; some are intended to clarify and simplify existing regulatory requirements, whilst others aim to improve the way the regulations are applied and enforced.

A summary of the key recommendations are as follows:

• An exemption for the self employed whose work activities do not pose potential risk or harm to others
• All Approved Codes of Practice (ACOP) issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to be reviewed (by June 2012)
• Change in legislation to provide the HSE with the authority to ensure local authority inspections are focused on the most hazardous workplaces
• The revocation of certain regulations including the Notification of Tower Cranes Regulations 2010, the Construction (Head Protection) Regulations
• The review of various regulations including: Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 - requirement for HSE approval of first aid courses to be removed; Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 and the accompanying ACOP to be evaluated by April 2012 to assist with clearer definitions of duties and guidance for small scale projects. Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 to be reviewed by end of 2013 to provide further clarification. Work at Height Regulations 2005 to be reviewed by end of 2013 to ensure only specific requirements of regulations are followed.
• The clarification of requirements of the regulations by the HSE including consolidation of health and safety regulations to provide savings to businesses; clear information on the HSE website of the specific duties for businesses to comply with legislation; and providing businesses with a clear understanding of what is 'reasonably practicable'.
• The UK Government works closely with the European Commission on new and existing EU health and safety legislation.

The full report is available here.