As U.S. companies are watching how OSHA changes under the Obama administration, the agency’s counterpart in Great Britain has launched a 10-point plan to tackle death and injury at work.
The No. 1 goal for Britain’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE): investigating work-related accidents and illnesses and taking enforcement action to prevent harm and secure justice where appropriate.
Other HSE priorities:
- Encourage strong leadership in championing the importance of health and safety in the workplace
- Reinforce the promotion of worker involvement and consultation in health and safety matters, and
- Identify which activities deliver a significant reduction in the rate and number of deaths and accidents.
The goals were established following a survey of 1,000 British workers and 200 business owners and senior managers. Some survey findings:
- 36% of business leaders agree that the “stick” as opposed to the “carrot” is the most effective way to improve health and safety
- 26% of owners and managers admit their companies will face pressure to cut their health and safety budgets in the recession
- 60% of business leaders feel safe in their workplace, compared to just 35% of employees, and
- 22% of workers in small businesses fear that their employer will cut health and safety corners in the recession, compared to just 16% in large organizations.
The HSE says one reason it’s launching its program is because of fears that workplace safety and health will take a backseat during the current recession.
Click here to read more about Britain’s new workplace safety and health strategy.
How is the recession impacting your company’s safety plan? Let us know in the Comments Box below.
