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Industrialsafetytalk: Health and Safety Strategy and Risk Assessment
News Release from: HSE Health and Safety Executive | Subject: Worker involvement website
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 02 March 2006
Getting workers involved in health and
safety
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) today launches new resources for employers to help them involve workers in health and safety management.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched new resources for employers to help them involve workers in health and safety management Published as part of a new "worker involvement" website the tools provide a wealth of sound help and advice to businesses
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 1 Jul 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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"The active involvement of workers is fundamental to good health and safety management," says Zoe Woodrow, Policy Adviser in HSE's Worker Involvement Programme.
"However, we know that many employers find it a difficult area to address".
"These resources provide a range of examples and suggestions that we hope will help employers and managers to encourage joint problem solving in their workplaces".
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Industry has welcomed HSE's focus on involving workers and the new tools.
"We have long recognised the need for better engagement with workers in managing health and safety risks in the rubber industry," says Steve Hinks, Environmental, Health and Safety Manager at Pirelli UK Tyres and member of the Health and Safety Commission's Rubber Industry Advisory Committee.
"Many companies, particularly smaller ones, are unsure of the best ways to go about engaging with their workers in an area like health and safety".
"We are pleased that HSE has produced these helpful materials and will be promoting them to our members".
Included in the package are case studies, which clearly show the range of organisations that have successfully involved workers in managing health and safety.
Examples include The Sky Forum at BSkyB; SELEX Sensors and Airborne Systems, a leader in defence electronics; Geocel, a leading sealant and adhesive supplier; and The National Probation Service.
"The diversity of organisations that are benefiting from worker involvement and the variety of systems they have put in place show that there is no 'one size fits all' solution but that all organisations - whether in the private or public sector, whether large multi-site operations or smaller manufacturing firms - can involve workers in successful health and safety management," says Zoe Woodrow.
The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) and HSE are committed to improving levels of worker involvement in health and safety management.
HSE is confident that these new resources will contribute to this aim by giving employers practical suggestions for how they can give staff the opportunity to contribute.
HSE's Worker Involvement Programme will continue to develop its new webpages to encourage employers and workers to co-operate in managing health and safety risks.
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