I don't think I missed this one on the forum but are IOSH making a statement on our behalf? Did you know that the government is looking at Health and Safety legislation and regs under the Red Tape challenge? http://www.redtapechalle...ov.uk/health-and-safety/

I am currently taking a very close look at this 'project' and so far I have found at least one piece of legislation 'The Pensions Regulator Tribunal (Legal Assistance Scheme - Costs) Regulations 2005' which as far as I can see has nothing to do with health and safety. To me this indicates it is a project being undertaken by someone who does not understand what it is about and to make things worse they have now asked for the PUBLIC to make thier views know. To date there have been more comments from non safety professionals than from those who are competent and understand exactly what the legal position really is. By asking for the genral public who to be fair have no idea about the topic except for the elf n safety stuff put out by the media. I hope that IOSH will have some major impact upon how this project goes as the risk of losing some very valuable safety measures could well be on the line. I note much to my concern that the public consultation will respond to a lack of comment by abolishing those bits that people don't mention. A case of they will do away with as much as they can regardless simply because DC has said that they will reduce the burden. I am rathe rworied about how this will turn out to be honest.

Dear All Following your notes I decided to take the Red Tape Challenge - and what a challenge it was!! By 20.05 this evening, I submited my carefully crafted comments on the Safety Representatives and Safety Committee Regulations 1977. Immediately a 'Page Could Not Be Loaded' sign appeared saying my carefully crafted work 'could not be loaded properly.' Not to be put off I sent some comments on the Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996 which did get through and are now on the General Health and Safety bit. Boosted by success I submited comments on the PPE Regs 1992 only to be told 'You are posting comments too quickly. Slow down.' at 20.52!! No wonder this exercise is due to go on till April 2013 - it will take till then to get some comments in. Cheers. Nigel

Nigel, if submit your comments twice it will take forever! ;)

garfield I was not commenting on thier general intelligence simply thier knowledge of H&S law and how it is twisted in the press, with that background the comments being made on the website will be from unknowledgable people filled with bias from stupid and incorrect press reports rather than from properly trained knowledgable persons. A case of the lunatics taking over the asilam is the term.

Ray Technical hitch - my computer was running hot with righteous indignation at being told off for sending the Red Tape Challenge to much red tape!! It has settled down now. All Comments on the Red Tape Challenge site vary but it is a chance to make some positive statements about what concerns professionals. Given the supposed concern of employers, small businesses etc there seems to be very few comments detailing people's experience of specific problems with specific regulations. Early days though. Cheers. Nigel

If as the Government has stated it is a roots and all review then to put all legislation up for consideration is the only way it can be done. If they pick and choose which will be concidered does it not smack of a simple exercise to avoid the blame for killing off some legislation. If you are genuinly loking to be open about it every bit of legislation should be included.

Might be early days as it's a public forum to air their views regarding current legislation. IOSH will no doubt have more routes to air their views to government agencies (e.g. the recent lord young report) where the public was confined to mostly just read!

Jay, don't let the facts spoil a good story! Joe public is unaware that most our h&s laws derive from the EU and Mr Cameron cannot deliver his 'Red Tape' mission - short of pulling out of the EU. Still, the Government can reduce funding for the HSE in order to make it less effective, oops they have already done that!

I have just had another look at the ‘Red Tape Challenge’ site and the many of the responses are now very encouraging, reasoned balanced. I in particular like the positive ones from the SME sector and the volunteering sector. In addition some people have taken on the more ridiculous statements that have been made. No whether the government actually listens to any of this is a moot point.