The prime minister has again described the application of health and safety laws as a barrier to enterprise, during his keynote speech to delegates at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester.
David Cameron’s comments appeared to contradict the Government’s recent lament at the use of health and safety as an excuse to hide unpopular decisions behind, and its insistence that correctly-applied health and safety legislation is a force for good.
He told delegates that the Conservatives valued community spirit and social action, adding: “That’s why we’re giving neighbourhoods new powers to take over the running of parks, playgrounds and pubs.”
However, in describing the obstacles to volunteering, he suggested that “the shadow of health and safety” is holding people back from such activities. He said: “I was told recently about a school that wanted to buy a set of highlighter pens. But, with the pens, came a warning: not so fast – make sure you comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, including plenty of fresh air and hand and eye protection. Try highlighting in all that!
“This isn’t how a great nation was built. Britannia didn't rule the waves with arm-bands on. So, the vetting and barring scheme – we’re scaling it back; CRB checks – we’re cutting them back. At long last, common sense is coming back to our country.”
IOSH reacted with disappointment to the speech. Said head of policy and public affairs, Richard Jones: “We think it’s a shame that the prime minister’s speech mistakenly cites health and safety as “holding people back” – the opposite is true!
“Good health and safety enables enterprise and volunteering to happen successfully and so helps ensure sustainability and growth. It’s all about good sense and proportionality and we simply don’t recognise the negative picture being painted here – it isn’t real health and safety.”
In August, Employment minister Chris Grayling conceded that it is misconceptions about and misapplication of health and safety legislation – rather than the laws themselves, or health and safety professionals – that have contributed to its negative image.
