Keep a sense of proportion when it comes to risk
"Ignore the trivia and headline-grabbing bans, and keep a sense of proportion when it comes to risk" said Health & Safety Commission (HSC) Chairman Bill Callaghan speaking to members of the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) recently.
"According to some stories, health and safety is a millstone around the neck of Britain, concentrating on trivial risks and petty bureaucracy to the detriment of citizens. It bans everything from doormats to Christmas decorations and makes children wear goggles while enjoying a game of conkers."
"The truth of the matter is that it is not desirable to eliminate risk altogether - rather risks need to be managed sensibly and responsibly. We must concentrate on practical steps to control the risks that cause real harm and suffering, and not on bureaucratic back-covering. Let us be clear - health and safety is about saving lives not stopping living."
Mr Callaghan when on to point out that health and safety saves lives, the annual work related death rate had fallen from around 1000 in the 1960’s to 212 in 2005/2006. “Our statistics show that 1 million people take sick leave every week. Problems such as stress and back pain are having an enormous affect on workers, their families and the economy and clearly demonstrate that we still have an important role in protecting the health and well-being of workers."
Bill Callaghan emphasized that HSE's initiative last year on Sensible Risk had won the broadest possible support from its partners including organisations representing public and private sector employers, workers, insurers, lawyers, volunteers, health and safety professionals and many others.
"Whilst the evidence shows that improvements are being made in some areas, such as the on-going reduction in days lost, we must not lose sight of the task ahead in preventing fatalities and major injuries."