Posted By Alec Wood I notice from the HSENI site the following story which may of interest http://www.hseni.gov.uk/...s_details.cfm?news_id=79 Also, apparently, a new ISO standard for H&S management along the lines of OHSAS18001 is due quite soon, to be rapidly followed by some kind of "combined management" standard also encompassing the principles of the 9000 and 14000 series'. ISO9000 and ISO14000 have been very popular in this country and in the EU. Do we really want a USA system introduced into the EU with what seems like a government tie-in attached? VPP has only attracted 1000 participants in the whole of the USA, compare with the tens of thousands who have adopted OHSAS18001 even though it is not an officialy recognised international standard. One wonders why governmental institutions on this side of the pond are so keen to tie in with it. apart from the recent politics of course. The US governmental institution has a reputation of "profit before all" in a way that makes even our poorest performing employers seem like paragons of virtue. While I have no worries about yet another standard to massacre yet more trees for the inevitable paperwork that goes with it, I do worry that an organisation may introduce a safety committee, write a policy, supress the reporting of accidents and be rewarded after only one year with a gold star and exemption from inspection ever - but only if they choose to join this one scheme, VPP. Those who already have very good safety management systems in place, and are subject to regular real external audits to ensure they are up to scratch do not gain this benefit. I believe that the ISO standards principle has served us well in the areas of quality and environmental management and that that is the direction we should continue. Annual audit ensures standards are maintained. It is for government to set and enforce the law; more enforcement is required, not less. Alec Wood Samsung Electronics