A new guide is to be launched next week that will highlight the health and safety responsibilities of local councillors.
The guide, entitled Think About Health and Safety – What elected members of local authorities need to know, is to be launched in London on Monday.
President of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health Public Services Group, Nattasha Freeman, who is behind the guide, said that although the sector often “gets a bit of a bashing” the new guide is a “sensible approach” to the subject.
Ms Freeman added: “Nine out of ten times local authorities get health and safety judgements right.
“‘Conkers bonkers’ stories detract from the 19 deaths and 6,500 major injuries to public service employees highlighted in our guide.
“Elected members have a much bigger responsibility for health and safety than they probably realise.”
The brand new guide will be distributed free of charge to every council leader in England, Wales and Scotland.
It would be nice if Local Authority H&S staff had a copy so that we could see what Councillors are being told. They might make the mistake of being ‘experts’ overnight and we could help and advise accordingly.
Surely it can be emailed?
Sam,
Fully agree with you & I will be contacting IOSH direct.
ditto Sam K
— and this appears to be the standard IOSH way of working e.g. they dont talk to those who pay its wages e.g. the people who are supposed to be the competent people
its also an interesting position as elected members are not employees nor managers so what is their duty and responsibility under HSWA????