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Posted By Stuart J
Has anyone been 'invited' to join into a partnership with the HSE and local EHO? If so was it a carrot or stick approach after the audit/initial appraisal? Any experiences of such a 'partnership' would be interesting. Thanks
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Posted By Ashley Williams After a serious accident involving a fatality, British Sugar were approached by the HSE to work in partnership with them to improve H&S. This has been very successful. Details can be found in an HSE Case Study at http://www.hse.gov.uk/co...asestudies/britsugar.pdf
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Posted By Ron Hunter
If HSE have an expectation of you to participate in one of their initiatives (FIT 3 et al) then yes, you would be wise to accommodate them. To decline can be to invite even more "attention".
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Posted By Andrew W
I was involved with this with a former employer. Following the initial appraisal/audit it was mainly stick and no carrot. We would receive notification that they would be visiting and inspecting on a particular topic and we were left in no doubt that should something be amiss a notice would be issued.
It was beneficial in that it woke up certain managers ideas however it did cause much upset as their programme of inspection did not fall in with our own annual safety plan so therefore double work.
Andy
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Posted By db
What is the world coming to when an inspector can just come onto your site at any time and just issue notices when they feel like it?
There are a number of reasons why you have been asked to co-operate. It could be a high profile site, industry or large national company. Think about any national company in any industry in the UK and the chances are they are involved insimilar projects with HSE.
Or it could be that there is a history of accidents or enforcement - in which case working with them is a very good idea as they are less likely to prosecute for the next breach. In this instance, a notice is probably the best thing that could happen.
In reality, if everything is working as it should there will be no need for extra work or notices so use it as a chance to improve things the easy way. If you think that's more stick than carrot, try waiting for a fine!
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Posted By CRN Baker
Have been involved in partnership process this year and have found it to be beneficial. EHO / HSE very helpful with advice for improving on what we're already doing. No notices issued... yet.
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Posted By Jim Walker
In my own industry the HSE folks are top rate - I suspect their division might attract the cream.
However I helped out a friend in manufacturing with a HSE inspector and had as job to keep a straight face. The poor lass had less idea about machinery safety than the works cat! She was dead hot on DSE regs however.
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Posted By Andrew W
Totally agree Jim. DB's comments are fine when dealing with personnel with knowledge of the subject or area of operation as with inspectors dealing with my current situation,whom I would like to add I have an excellent relationship.
However, as previously, when you have a major problem with say HAVS for instance which you have a detailed programme of improvement working in conjunction with both insurers and EMAS then you are hit with a requirement to concentrate on a much less (IMHO) hazardous subject, say DSE, it tends to dilute resources to an extent that little improvement is made in either area
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Posted By garyh
I find that the average HSE inspector may, if you are lucky, be hot in one area, and one area only. Ask them about COSHH or HAVS etc when they only know about eg Manual handling and you get one of two responses.
"Read the ACOP" - gee, who would have though of that? Thankyou. Thankyou for that genius response.
or
"I will consult a colleague" - they return with, or put you in touch with, an HSE knowledgeable person.
Fair enough. What's the catch? You, as a competent safety practitioner, have to master ALL OF IT. HSE inspectors never seem to appreciate this.
In my opinion, inspectors should spend the 1st 6 months shadowing someone on the opposite side of the desk.
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Posted By Dave Daniel
Many years ago Jaguar Cars (part of British Leyland then) claimed to have a "special relationship" with the HSE. From the viewpoint of the BL Group Safety department the relationship seemed to be to confess everything and be prosecuted, which seemed a little one-sided. Over 11 years in working for BL/Rover Group we were the subject of attempts to work together with the HSE.
Our general experience was that the more involvement they had, the more time-consuming and non-productive it became because we had to make decisions and HSE inspectors could not and everything just dragged on.
If you open your secrets cupboard to the HSE you can't expect them to do the same. They are tasked with enforcement and if you place enforcement opportunities before them, they have to act. They won't open their secrets cupboard to you.
You might want to consider how effective the Industry Advisory Committees have been.
In the end, we found what I describe as a "professional relationship" worked best.
This may sound cynical but I've been there and it doesn't work.
Dave
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Posted By Stuie
Many thanks to those that have responded;this is my first venture onto the discussion forum. I am still unsure as to which way I will jump(be pushed)? - to invite or not! Maybe the planned meeting with the board later today will make my mind up for me!!
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