Huntingdonshire District Council has signed up with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) campaign to combat the growing number of myths that are undermining health and safety legislation.
Chief Executive of Huntingdonshire District Council, David Monks, joined HSE Principal Inspector Paul Carter to publicly sign up to ‘ten principles of sensible risk management’ which gives organisations practical advice on what risk management should – and should not - be about.
Also in attendance were Councillor Ian Bates, Leader of the Council, Sue Lammin Head of Environmental and Community Health Services and Councillor Deborah Reynolds Executive Councillor for Environmental Health.
The initiative was launched at Hinchingbrooke Country Park in Huntingdon, where they were joined by young volunteers for a ride in the park’s bell boats. The park is managed by the council and covers over 170 acres of open grasslands, meadows, woodlands and lakes
Paul Carter said; “We’ve all heard the stories about health and safety banning hanging baskets or making children wear goggles to play conkers. This is not what we are about – it is not what HSE wants, not want the district council wants, and not what the law requires.
“We both want to focus our attention on practical steps that protect people from real risks that can lead to injury and death; we do not want to stop people from living their lives.
“I am inviting all the local authorities in the Eastern Regions to follow Huntingdonshire District Council’s example and join with us in tackling the issue by publicly signing up to ‘sensible risk’. Together we can embed these principles into our working culture and ensure the decisions we make focus on the real task of saving lives and preventing injuries and ill health.”
Paul continued: “The country park promotes sensible risk by operating a range of leisure activities to improve the quality of life to people in the area and also hosting school trips.”
David Monks Chief Executive at the District Council said; “Protecting the health and safety of our workers and of the employees in the 2,500 businesses for which we are the regulatory authority within the community we represent has always been a crucial issue for us. Sensible regulation promotes efficient and productive business, helps protect our community and promotes health and well being. Exaggerated stories of health and safety risk undermine the good work we and other councils do to protect vulnerable members of society.
“We are proud to sign up to protecting our workers and community through sensible health and safety policies and commit to focusing on saving lives.”
Further information can be found at Health and safety Executive website which can be accessed by clicking on the link on the right.