Martin Temple EEF Director General said:
"We share much of the aims which this new strategy sets out. The vision of health and safety being as a cornerstone of civilised society and achieving a record of workplace health and safety that leads the world is one that we wholeheartedly support.
Manufacturing industry is at the heart of the British economy, and over recent years it has had to adapt to survive in the global economy. We therefore welcome HSC' s efforts to re-shape its own business to address the challenges of the 21st century. We have recognised the resource challenges which the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Local Authorities face and welcome a new agenda whereby their activities in enforcing health and safety requirements are complimentary and focus on areas of need."
EEF welcomed the new focus on ' working with and through others' and in particular support the HSC' s intention to develop closer strategic partnerships to improve their contribution to:
Employment & productivity - by keeping those at work healthy and in work.
Education - by instilling an appropriate understanding of risk management from an early age.
Health and rehabilitation - by contributing to the nation' s health and well being and dealing with health inequalities.
Public service reform - by reducing sickness in the public sector and enhancing public sector delivery.
Martin Temple said:
"Running a business in Britain is a complicated operation. We welcome the HSC' s strategy which does not see solutions in new regulations but seeks to simplify the system to enable companies to better understand and therefore deliver on their responsibilities. The key new phrase contained in the document is ' sensible health and safety controls which are sensibly applied'. We look forward to continuing and growing the productive relationship which exists between HSC, HSE and EEF, the manufacturers' organisation."
For a copy of the HSC strategy and the EEF response, see links opposite.