CMNT_TITLE

Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187) - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (RATIFICATION: 2008)

Other comments on C187

Observation

Direct Request

2020
2019
2014
2010

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Referring to its observation, the Committee wishes to raise the following additional points.

Article 2(1) of the Convention. National policy. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) continues to implement the occupational safety and health strategy entitled “The health and safety of Great Britain: Be part of the solution” launched in 2009. The Government indicates that the implementation of this strategy is being pursued through an updated 2012–15 business plan. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the implementation of its occupational safety and health strategy, including the implementation and impact of the 2012–15 business plan.

Article 3(2). Promote and advance, at all relevant levels, the right of workers to a safe and healthy environment. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that the HSE’s campaign and training initiative to support workers’ involvement in health and safety in organizations was a significant success. The Government indicates that this programme, launched in 2010, promoted the benefits of worker involvement in health and safety and included training modules for employee representatives and line managers. Noting the positive evaluation of this initiative, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on any further measures taken or envisaged in this regard, to promote and advance, at all levels, the right of workers to a safe and healthy environment.

Article 4(3)(g). Collaboration with relevant insurance or social security schemes. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government with respect to the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council, which advises the Secretary of State for the Department for Work and Pensions on matters relating to industrial injuries benefits and its administration. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the collaboration between the HSE and the Secretary of State for the Department for Work and Pensions, including with regard to the mechanisms of collection and analysis of data on occupational accidents and diseases in the country.

Article 5(2)(d). Objectives, targets and indicators of progress. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that it had launched, in June 2000, a Revitalising Health and Safety strategy that set three national targets for improving health and safety performance by 2010. The Committee notes that according to the Statistical assessment of progress towards the Revitalising Health and Safety targets (published by the HSE in 2011), two targets were met (to reduce the incidence rate of fatalities and major injuries by 10 per cent; and to reduce the number of working days lost per worker from work-related injury and ill health by thirty per cent). This assessment also indicated that one target was not met (to reduce the incidence rate of cases of work-related ill health by 20 per cent). The Committee also notes the Government’s indication that since 2010, the HSE has not had numerical performance targets. However, the Government indicates that the three-year HSE business plan contains the aims and objectives that the HSE will seek to achieve through its activities. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the objectives, targets and indicators of progress set out in accordance with this provision of the Convention.

Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee notes the Government’s reference to the health and safety statistics of the HSE for Great Britain 2013–14. These figures indicate that 1.2 million working people suffer from a work-related illness, that 28.2 million working days were lost due to work-related illness or workplace injury, and that the estimated cost of injuries and ill health from current working conditions was approximately £14.2 billion. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide available statistical data concerning the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice.