ePolitix activity

6th June 2008
ePolitix.com speaks to the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers about health and safety regulation and other issues of importance

22 April 2008:
Response to Work and Pensions select committee's report on 'The role of the Health and Safety Commission and the Health and Safety Executive'

A spokesperson told ePolitix.com: "APIL welcomes the comprehensive report of the work and pensions committee into the role of the HSE. The committee makes many valid and important points about the need for more frontline inspections, the HSE to receive adequate funding, and the need for legislation to increase the maximum penalties available for breaches of health and safety law.

"APIL, too, recognises there is a problem with misperceptions of health and safety and has produced an 'Accident or Negligence' leaflet to clarify the issues surrounding health and safety. APIL also supports the committee's call for the link between employer's liability insurance premiums and standards of health and safety as we have long campaigned for this link to be strengthened.

"APIL appreciates the committee's call to review the issue of statutory directors' health and safety duties but believes that three years is too long a timescale for reviewing the effectiveness of the voluntary guidance, especially as the committee itself states that it is 'not convinced' the voluntary approach is effective in prioritising health and safety.

With 241 people killed at work last year, any review must occur sooner if a health and safety culture is to be embedded in every workplace."

Amanda Stevens, APIL president, said: "This is a very positive and detailed report. I am pleased that the committee has taken on board some of our suggestions, particularly the need for increasing the maximum penalties available for health and safety offences.  We do believe, though, that the issue of statutory directors' health and safety duties is too important to be left for three years and we would urge a review after a shorter period of time."

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