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firesafety101  
#1 Posted : 04 December 2012 23:35:11(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
firesafety101

that there is to be a change in H&S law that takes away responsibility from the employer for injury at work to an employee?

Is this true?
HSSnail  
#2 Posted : 05 December 2012 08:43:01(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
HSSnail

Could they be referring to the proposal of removing strict liability?
roshqse  
#3 Posted : 05 December 2012 08:47:14(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
roshqse

Haven't heard of this.

But on the face of it , it doesn't sound like a good idea.
Won't it just push safety in the workplace back to pre 1974?

Or am I missing something?
smitch  
#4 Posted : 05 December 2012 08:57:18(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
smitch

http://www.shponline.co....k-years-warns-opposition

There are of course other views in this matter
smitch  
#5 Posted : 05 December 2012 08:58:53(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
smitch

Oh for an edit function.........should have been ..........other views on this matter.
chris42  
#6 Posted : 05 December 2012 09:05:01(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
chris42

Do you mean the previous discussion on the post called “Removal of Workers Right to bring Civil Claims”.

It is on page 8 at the moment about half way down (I tried to make a short cut to the post, but could not work out how to).
firesafety101  
#7 Posted : 05 December 2012 09:16:03(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
firesafety101

Thanks to redken I am now a little more informed.

It appears to have been discussed in the Lords without full support from all in attendance.

Not cut and dried yet.

Ken maybe you could post that link here to the benefit of others?
Terry556  
#8 Posted : 05 December 2012 09:18:16(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Terry556

Probably an amendment to Sect 7, I havent seen anything as yet
smitch  
#9 Posted : 05 December 2012 09:18:23(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
smitch

Chris

Possibly ;-)

with regards to the post you mention, then here is the link:

http://forum.iosh.co.uk/...spx?g=posts&t=107182
Canopener  
#10 Posted : 05 December 2012 09:28:12(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Canopener

I think Brian and Chris ‘have it.

Terry re #8, I think an amendment to S7 is highly unlikely as S47 does not confer a right to civil action anyway.
Jake  
#11 Posted : 05 December 2012 09:32:28(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Jake

firesafety101 wrote:
that there is to be a change in H&S law that takes away responsibility from the employer for injury at work to an employee?

Is this true?


Potentially.

If the change goes through and all reasonably practicable control measures were implemented, then yes the employer would not be liable (whereas currently they can be under certain regulations e.g. PUWER).

Lofstedt seems a sensible chap to me, it's his recommendation and I thoroughly agree with it. Strict liability for these specific health and safety "breaches" seems misaligned with the context of where we want to be.

What’s just in penalising someone for something they either did not know about (unidentifiable defect) or did every they should have (reasonably practicable controls)?
boblewis  
#12 Posted : 05 December 2012 10:32:26(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
boblewis

It does however cut right across one of the fundamental precepts of not reducing previous standards of protection when introducing new legislation. Without repealing ALL absolute duties this change seems set to command the minds of the Supreme and European Courts for many years to come IF it is adopted.

We should also remember that Risk Assessment was very difficult to sell to the rest of the EU where absolute duties are not uncommon for injury and death by accident at work or similar. I cannot see them being too happy when we start to remove the few remaining duties. Indeed many of the problems with PUWER is that when drafted the various exemption regulations that existed were repealed and an attempt was made to use RA to effectively replace them. This left absolute duties combined with reasonably practicable ones - one only has to look at the hash of machine guarding to see the problem. With abrasive wheels we blithely think a risk assessment will allow us out of the fundamental statement that dangerous parts must be securely fenced. This technically does not then permit us to expose part of the wheel in order to do the job as absolute duty exists and the courts have already made decisions on the matter right up to the 70s. The exemption regulations legally permitted the wheel exposure and limited the duty to a degree - once repealed the full weight of the duty applies.

Cameron and Co playing to the gallery again. By the way Loefstedt shows clearly how the European mind does not understand UK legislation and court systems. IOSH really should have seen this coming.

Bob
Phil Grace  
#13 Posted : 06 December 2012 13:33:08(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Phil Grace

Let us try and get things in order:

Following a workplace accident employees can sue their employers as follows:
under civil law, alleging negligence
for a breach of statutory duty (BoSD)

s47 of HaSaW Act contains the presumption that there is a civil liability contained within all regulations made under the Act unless the Regs specfically state that no such right exists. The effect of this is that if the employee thinks their employer had breached the relevant Regs they can allege allege BoSD alongside any allegation of negligence.

This had an unintended (?) consequence that in some cases the Regs contained a strict liability... this meant that in essence the defendant employer had no defence.

Lofstedt stated that this was unfair and proposed that the strict liability contained in some Regs should not be "transferred" across into civil law.

In their wisdom the DWP decided that rather than selectively remove this possibility it was easier to simply remove any civil liability from all Regs. Thus s47 is to be "reversed" - meaning that it will state Regs will NOT confer any right of civil action unless they specifically state otherwise.

BUT employees will still be able to sue for compensation in negligence - which is what 80-90% of claims are based upon. So not really much change in my view.
Hope that makes sense
Phil
Jake  
#14 Posted : 06 December 2012 16:47:24(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Jake

Nice summary Phil, coudln't have stated it better myself.

Phil Grace wrote:

BUT employees will still be able to sue for compensation in negligence - which is what 80-90% of claims are based upon. So not really much change in my view.


Agreed, but the Post Office would have been grateful for such an amendment :-)

http://www.thompsons.law.co.uk/ltext/l0610003.htm

(for other forum-users benefit)
boblewis  
#15 Posted : 06 December 2012 18:24:26(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
boblewis

Phil

The use of strict liability claims for compensation pre dates 1974 and was a valuable line for injured persons. Employers put people to work knowing they do not comply with legislation and thus they assent to the law being used if they get caught injuring an employee. Lofsted was plain wrong - It is not unfair as the employee would be dismissed if they refused the task as set up.

The HSE could have ameliorated the problem by re-enacting the various exemption regulations but they chose to use the poor implement of risk assessment.

Bob
freelance safety  
#16 Posted : 06 December 2012 18:43:48(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
freelance safety

I too believe that on this point of law Lofsted was incorrect, his understanding seems to be very one dimensional which I find disturbing.

Only time will tell how this will all pan-out?
Let’s see if we have a rational of mind-sets in the Upper House…?

Jake  
#17 Posted : 06 December 2012 20:29:00(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Jake

boblewis wrote:
Employers put people to work knowing they do not comply with legislation and thus they assent to the law being used if they get caught injuring an employee. Lofsted was plain wrong - It is not unfair as the employee would be dismissed if they refused the task as set up.
Bob


Bob, I'm not disagreeing that some (but not all!) employers knowingly flout their legislative responsibilities, but I fail to see the relevance of what you say in relation to strict liability offenses?

If an employer decides they want to make lots and lots of profit and to hell with safety, then it's fairly obvious to predict that a claim will be successful under negligence as the employer (if knowingly operating in contravention of legislation) would not have done all that is reasonable. Therefore where is the requirement for the strict liability offense?

I'm not sure how you can argue that if an employer was deemed not criminally liable (because they could demonstrate the risk had been reduced SFAIRP) (and therefore under the proposed system not civilly liable unless negligence could be proven) how that employer is being dishonest / not stepping up to the mark?

I'm also missing your point about sacking an employee, how is that relevant?

I only continue the debate as I'm surprised about the amount of support for not introducing the change, not something I expected (apart from the political opposition and trade unions by their very nature).
boblewis  
#18 Posted : 06 December 2012 22:13:03(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
boblewis

Jake

The employer ultimately controls ALL work systems and he knows that certain duties are absolute and thus strict liability exists. He chooses to undertake work knowing this and thus IS fully responsible as he can choose other methods. The employee has NO choice except to refuse and the connotations that follow. It is not simply profit motive. In spite of PUWER the absolute duty means that NO employee may touch a dangerous part and if they do so, in spite of any assessment then the absolut duty has been breached

You cannot risk assess away an absolute duty much as the HSE try to argue it. The courts have been clear that if an absolute duty the equipment is not usable then that is what the effect is. You could make legal exemptions but the HSE chooses not do so.
johnmurray  
#19 Posted : 07 December 2012 07:06:05(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
johnmurray

"I'm also missing your point about sacking an employee, how is that relevant?"

"Can't use that boss, it ain't safe. Look, live wires here"

"OK, better go home then, and don't bother coming back"

(small employer, usual "couldn't-give-a-rats" attitude to safety or employment law)

"I only continue the debate as I'm surprised about the amount of support for not introducing the change, not something I expected (apart from the political opposition and trade unions by their very nature)

The trade unions by their nature are against any change ?
Which nature would that be then, their political nature, or their "protect our members rights and health, safety and welfare" nature ?
Maybe the widespread opposition to the change, is because those against it are not biased against workers, or workers unions ?
If it does go through (50/50) then expect the courts to get involved fast, and the EU courts.
Jake  
#20 Posted : 07 December 2012 08:16:08(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Jake

Bob, I still don't see how your comments are relevant to removing the strict liability offence. Yes the employer controls all work systems, but what we are (potentially) talking about here is the onset of a defect that no-one could predict or being able to identify that then leads to an injury.

In your argument (using PUWER as the example), employers would have to use no equipment within the business if they wanted to be 100% confident they would not be liable or in breach of a law, that clearly is a nonsense.

So if we're talking reasonableness, employers will need to use equipment in their business, fact. I don't believe they should then be responsible if they've done everything they could have conceivably done.

John, the example you cite (live wires) would easily be claimable under negligence as the employer would clearly not have been acting in a reasonable manner (and if such an instance happened then the employer deserves all they get). My point is that redress in your example would still be available with the removal of the strict liability offence.

I guess we will have to agree to disagree on this one!
damelcfc  
#21 Posted : 07 December 2012 08:20:14(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
damelcfc

Need to be careful citing PUWER as an example as everyone back in Diploma was taught that Reg 11 of PUWER is good example of 'practicable'.
It is not an absolute duty.

When giving examples the most common are;

Absolute - Reg 3 MHSWR 'Risk Assessment'
Practicable - Reg 11 PUWER 'Guarding'
Reasonably Practicable - Edwards v NCB.

We all know that (and I think the point Bob is making) is that practicable was bought into law after 'absolute' rendered abrasive wheels useless.

Reg 11 of PUWER is not an absolute duty!

It starts of by using the word 'shall' but then (see 11,2,a,b,c) goes into 'Practicable'.

You SHALL take (one of the hierarchy of measures listed - known to us as FIAT) a PRACTICABLE measure.
Jake  
#22 Posted : 07 December 2012 08:46:31(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Jake

damelcfc wrote:
Need to be careful citing PUWER as an example as everyone back in Diploma was taught that Reg 11 of PUWER is good example of 'practicable'.
It is not an absolute duty.

When giving examples the most common are;

Absolute - Reg 3 MHSWR 'Risk Assessment'
Practicable - Reg 11 PUWER 'Guarding'
Reasonably Practicable - Edwards v NCB.

We all know that (and I think the point Bob is making) is that practicable was bought into law after 'absolute' rendered abrasive wheels useless.

Reg 11 of PUWER is not an absolute duty!

It starts of by using the word 'shall' but then (see 11,2,a,b,c) goes into 'Practicable'.

You SHALL take (one of the hierarchy of measures listed - known to us as FIAT) a PRACTICABLE measure.


My original post was regarding PUWER98 Reg 5 which is both wide ranging and an absolulte duty and which formed stark v post office case law (back then PUWER92 Reg 6). This is not concerned with dangerous parts of machinery, but the entire equipment its self.

"5.—(1) Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair."
damelcfc  
#23 Posted : 07 December 2012 08:50:46(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
damelcfc

Understood Jake - thanks for that - It's gone slightly off towards guarding but well done to re-align.
peter gotch  
#24 Posted : 07 December 2012 13:00:09(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
peter gotch

Case law - reasonable practicability.

HSE may persist with Edwards v NCB an Appeal court judgment but they ignore the subsequent judgment of the House of Lords in Marshall v Gotham (1954) which dropped the adjective "grossly".

See also commentary from paragraph 62 at

www.publications.parliam...ct/ldeconaf/183/183i.pdf
boblewis  
#25 Posted : 07 December 2012 13:22:41(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
boblewis

Puwer is a woderful dogs ear.

If a duty is practicable then it has to be done iof the techniques exist. Hence it is practicable to guard the whole of an abrasive wheel but thta does not permit use = Leave an arc exposed and the duty has been breached. Practicable duties leave no opening concerning the use of the machine only that "if it can be done it must be done".

The Law Lords have caused issues when streching definitions but Lofstedt was plain silly to interfere in this way. It is not about pro union or anti employer - the courts look at who has the power to modify systems and who purchases equipment. This decision is all part of a culture trying to blame individual groups for the problems of society - ie the economic downturn - the cost of injuries etc etc - It is the same thinking for all on benefits also and is merely making minority groups out to be the scapegoats for all ills. Renee Girard looked at this in his seminal work "The Scapegoat" - society does not change and those who are different will always be subjected to this accusations and pressures.

We are in severe danger of throwing away nearly 180 years of H&S advance in favour of a short term fix to what is a minor problem in real terms.

Bob
Phil Grace  
#26 Posted : 07 December 2012 15:09:04(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Phil Grace

Bob,
I wasn't trying to give a full history of strict liability - simply provide a backdrop to the current discussiosn/propsoals.

It is interesting to read the Impact Statement on the propsoed change - essentially there is no evidence on any sort aside from anecdotal comments to Lofstedt. For example:

- There is no information about how many claims are based on breach of stat duty (BoSD) alone
- It is thought that most claims are based jointly on BoSd and negligence
- There is a presumption that removing strict liability alone would result in a very small reduction in claims
- It is thougut that in the absence of BoSd option lawyers may advise some clients not to proceed with a claim based on negligence alone
- It is postulated that there is more evidence gathering required in the preparation of a (pure) negligence claim so removaval of BoSD may reduce the overall claim numbers since fewer emloyees will claim.

Fascinating how these decisions - as you say, changing decades of practice - are made on such flimsy evidence.
Phil
-
boblewis  
#27 Posted : 07 December 2012 23:02:37(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
boblewis

Phil

Yep the really good news is that instead of a 1/2 day BoSD hearing we will have a 3 day contested and very expensive hearing for the same result!!:-)

Bob
RayRapp  
#28 Posted : 08 December 2012 08:50:30(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
RayRapp

I agree with Bob, Lofstedt has got this wrong and clearly does not understand the underlying principles behind these matters. Shame, because in essence I think his report was very good. I also agree that IOSH have appeared to have taken their eye of the ball with this one.

I think the crux of the issue is about those injured at work and seeking redress via the civil courts through either Breach of a Statutory Duty or negligence, neither has to be cited and it is up to the court to decide whether if either or both apply. The legal process is a social utility function in that no blame is attributed because the employer is obliged to provide Employers Liability Insurance. Hence it is the insurance company who will pay out an award and as a rule they do not contest genuine claims – that is the way the law was intended.

In the case of BoSD the claim is by de facto. In negligence, the injured party would have to prove the employer was negligent, however the two principles are inextricably linked. In that, by proving there was a statutory duty to prevent the cause of the injury, the injured party will be able to establish the cause of the injury – job done. Clearly without relying on a BoSD it will make claims much more difficult for those seeking redress for injury.

I’m not sure where, or what strict liability has to do with the above and perhaps it is a red herring. All health and safety law, save for the rare exception, is deemed to be a strict liability duty; and for good reason. Incidentally, the same principle applies to all regulatory/administrative laws. Without strict liability it would be almost impossible to prosecute successfully health and safety offences, regardless of whether a civil claim followed.
boblewis  
#29 Posted : 08 December 2012 17:40:25(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
boblewis

Not much environmental law would stand if strict liability was removed but then it suits govt to keep this going.

Bob
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