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HSE Launch The Myths Busters Panel

Posted: 16 April 2012

Author: John Neil

With effect from 11th April 2012 The Myth Busters Challenge Panel has been set up by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to look into complaints arising from advice given by non-regulators. The panel will examine risk averse or erroneous decisions and seek to publicise whether advice given actually mirrors what the law requires.

The panel is a direct response to concerns that the reputation of health and safety is seriously undermined by 'jobsworths' and cynics keen to prevent essentially safe activities going ahead. Decisions that protect people from real risks will be separated from those that do not thus allowing advice from the likes of insurance companies, health and safety consultants and employers to be contested.

The panel will be chaired by HSE chair Judith Hackitt and will consist of 11 other independent specialists handpicked for their experience on a variety of issues and a wide range of industrial activities.

Complaints will firstly be examined by a number of panel members who will provide an opinion for the "chair" who will take the final decision. Findings will be published on the HSE website.

The HSE hopes that the panel will encourage reversal of bad decisions or be clearer about the reason behind them which should take away unjust blame from health and safety.

Ms.Hackitt stated she hoped The Myths Busters Panel will start to reverse the undermining of public confidence in health and safety by tackling absurd decisions made in the guise of health and safety. Health and safety after all is to manage serious workplace risks in Great Britain and the panel is an important new voice for common sense.

Employment minister Chris Grayling has hailed the launch of the panel as a vehicle that will bring "common sense" back to health and safety, he said "The Myth Busters Challenge Panel will advise people where they think local authorities, insurance companies, or schools have got it wrong."

The Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) are also supportive as they have for many years tried to kill off many health and safety myths. They regard the presence of a panel to challenge strange decisions is a thing to be embraced.

Nick Starling of The Association of British Insures (ABI) said the industry sees it as a useful exercise as it will provide organisations with clear guidance of what actually is required as opposed to what they feel is expected.

To coincide with the Panel’s launch, the HSE has republished its top ten worst health and safety myths – exactly the type of decisions the panel aims to challenge. Complaints for the panel can be sent via an online form on the HSE’s website.

To arrange a Risk Management consultation or for further information, contact:

John Neil on 01603 218384 or email jneil@alanboswell.com.