EigenAnalysis

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has accepted that some re-evaluation of safety and health rules is definitely necessary in view of the fact that such regulations are evidently far too excessive and restrictive in nature. The reaction was prompted by the recent comments by Conservative leader David Cameron during a major speech delivered at the Policy Exchange thinktank.

Cameron called the current over-attention to safety and health regulations the ‘elf n safety‘ culture. He said that such restrictive thinking and imposition of unnecessary rules and regulations on people negate the very outcome desired by these rules. Such rigorous rules give rise to suspicion and fear in the minds of people instead of reassuring them that their health and safety are being taken care of.

IOSH President John Holden agreed that most of the safety rules have become bogged down in highly restrictive and unwarranted regulations. The speech by Cameron has reiterated the need for a reanalysis of these rules in view of such drawbacks. Cameron stated that the ISOH is treading a contradictory path now, with risk averseness battling with dislike of extreme control.

However, a middle path is needed soon to establish a culture where both safety rules and adequate risk can co-exist without harm to individuals.

Workplace Law MD David Sharp remarked in a recent speech that Workplace Law cannot merely be a list of all the actions that will be fined. There has to be a structure for progressive growth within a reasonable safety net. Sharp also pointed out that workplace fatalities are decreasing now, and this demonstrates the effectiveness of safety regulations. However, he asserted that regulations should be monitored so that they are not over applied.