Health and Safety (Hansard, 8 December 2003)

§ Mr. Nicholas Brown
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent representations he has received from the Health and Safety Commission concerning the Health and Safety Executive's priorities. [140645]

§ Mr. Browne
On 8 October 2003, we launched a consultation on the Health and Safety Commission's draft "Strategy for Workplace Health and Safety in Great Britain to 2010 and beyond". The strategy sets out what the Commission and Health and Safety Executive see as priorities to ensure that the health and safety system remains relevant and effective in the changing economy. It deals with the active management of risk in the workplace, and the need to place greater emphasis on rehabilitation and access to occupational health provision.
The Commission will shortly finalise and submit the strategy to Ministers. The Commission will then determine programmes of activity to deliver its objectives and targets for improvements in health and safety at work.
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§ Mr. Nicholas Brown
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what representations he has received from the Health and Safety Commission concerning the setting of measurable targets for the work of the Health and Safety Executive. [140647]

§ Mr. Browne
The Government and Health and Safety Commission first set targets for health and safety at work in the Revitalising Health and Safety Strategy Statement in June 2000. The Commission set out how they will deliver their contribution to the targets in their Strategic Plan 2001–04 and annual Business Plans. Priority programmes are in place with the aim of addressing those hazards and industries where significant improvements in health and safety are needed to achieve the targets.
The Commission is introducing high level targets for the Executive's work in major hazard industries intended to achieve a sustained reduction in the occurrence of precursor incidents in these industries between 2004 and 2006. The Commission is also keen to promote improved heath and safety in the public sector and to set measurable targets to secure these improvements.