HSE publishes first annual statement of health and safety law changes
HSE publishes first annual statement of health and safety law changes
Keywords: Occupational health and safety, Laws and legislation
The first annual statement of changes to domestic occupational health and safety law on which the Health and Safety Executive leads has recently been published.
From 2005, domestic changes will only be implemented on 2 days each year– 6 April and 1 October.
This harmonisation of commencement dates should make it easier for employers and employee representatives to implement and respond to changes in occupational health and safety law and practice, helping to increase clarity and awareness.
HSE Director General Timothy Walker said: “This is what businesses say they want and HSE is pleased to be able to join the initiative at an early stage. By bringing commencement dates together, employers will be able to prepare better for changes. This should particularly benefit small firms, who do not have the resources to monitor changes to legislation.
We want to make it easier for changes to be implemented and ensure people are aware of them. We are committed to being a good partner of business and employees – today's publication is a statement of our commitment to that partnership”.
The two common commencement dates apply to changes in occupational health and safety law that arise from within Great Britain. The commencement dates of regulations arising from Europe are not within the control of HSE, but where appropriate HSE will seek to align them with the two common commencement dates.
