I think the HSE web pages are stupidly complicated, now to a Member of the Public, seeing the web pages and wanting to report a a dangerous incident(s), it must seem impossible and probably scares 99.9 percent of incident reporters away.


I can see no clear way to report incidents (such as seeing a young worker, using an angle grinder cutting roofing tiles, making clouds of heavy dust, the dust billowing all over the place, not wearing eye protection, no breathing mask or seeing 2 workers laying new roof tiles high up on a gable roof with nothing but scaffolding at the eves, no helmets, no other fall prevention, no harnesses).


(1) How do you, as a member of the public, report unsafe acts, dangerous occurrences, perceived safety violations, random acts of stupidity, concerns for both the workers and other members of the public in the area?


(2) Is it just me and my quirky way of looking at the world or do others think similarly?


(3) What can be done about it to address the problems?

Whilst picking the phone up does work you need to know which number, and more importantly who you are after.

Transient worker's do not post the "legislated - What You Need to Know Poster" at their work site so it is visible to the public.

Then we had the HSE cut backs which reduced the availability of staff at the contact phone number listed or that your employer bothered to write in the blank contact us space.

It is one of those "missing gems" on the internet and the HSE web pages - as a member of the public with genuine concern living in ... who do I get in touch with about what I have just seen / photographed / videod?

The HSE should proactively support the public by placing more informative links to the relevant EHO contact number

All "concerns" as they are now called have to be logged via the HSE online system

http://webcommunities.hs...Questionnaire?qid=594147

These go to a central processing system in Bootle and are then passed out to the appropriate team if they meet the investigation criteria.

When they 1st launched the system there was a phone number but if its still there its well hidden!

I agree the system is appalling and I have spoken to a number of HSE inspectors who hate it as well. As for picking up the phone, if you know the number already great, but don't be surprised if you are asked to complete the online form.

If you don't know the number of the area office good luck finding it these days!

Unfortunately this system I believe has been developed to help the HSE show the minister that they are complying with the governments instructions to not interfere with good employers!

Contact the HSE tab and then "Report a Workplace Concern" and fill in the form - simples

As I remember - alway the local EHO'S first and then they would pass to corporate safety to deal with.

Essentially the system is geared around employers reporting RIDDORS. If you are a member of the public who has seen something untoward then the HSE seem determined to make it as difficult as possible for you to contact them. There is an article on the BBC website which I have not been able to locate which related how last year a metal beam was smashed through a BBC journalist’s party wall by some builders working next door. The fact that they almost killed someone did not seem to interest them. He tried to contact the HSE but all he could get through was to the RIDDOR reporting centre. This is not run by the HSE but by some call-centre whose staff work from a script and therefore have no idea what they are doing, if it is in anyway off script. A shabby set up indeed.

You can use the following email address
concerns@hse.gsi.gov.uk

Email sent.

I have used the new on-line concern report system on one occasion, regarding a (smallish) construction site. Gave details of my name, phone, email.

I got an email reply/response within 24 hours.

Most of the concerns I had were about traffic near the site - HSE referred me to the Highways Agency.

Concerns I had about ongoing excavations, risks to dumper trucks, no PPE evident etc., were not answered.

I did not take the matter further. Gradually the site conditions seemed to improve, but at the start there seemed to be no evidence of safety management.