IOSH is concerned that the UK government is not giving people enough time to comment on plans to cut health and safety regulations.
New government guidance recommends as little as two weeks’ consultation on changes to policy or legislation, or sometimes no final consultation at all.
Currently, the Health and Safety Executive gives people at least three months to have their say – a policy IOSH supports. But the Institution believes severely cutting back that timescale would be foolhardy when lives are at stake.
IOSH’s head of policy and public affairs, Richard Jones, said: “We have diverse experience and expertise and are keen to contribute to government consultations, but it’s vital that there is sufficient time for the consultation process, so we have the opportunity to comment.”
Mr Jones said stakeholders need adequate time to gather and submit data if the ‘impact assessments’ that support legislative proposals are to be sufficiently robust and evidence-based.
He added: “We have already recently raised concerns about the speed and scale of the consultation exercise the Government is currently undertaking into proposed health and safety reforms. We have urged the Government not to rush this process, because we need carefully considered and high-quality outcomes in order to save lives and sustain businesses.
“It’s vital that those who are affected, or have intelligence to contribute are given full opportunity to have their voices heard. Consultation isn’t about rushing, it’s about listening.”
The new guidance can be found at: www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/sites/default/files/resources/Consultation-Principles.pdf
