HSE to review equipment inspection laws

HSE to review equipment inspection laws

Posted on 22nd Aug, 2016 | By Lorretta Tatham

With the government’s commitment to cut £10 billion of regulatory costs by 2020, the HSE has begun to review its regulations as part of a new deregulation drive. The deregulation will see changes to equipment inspection laws – with an aim to make them more “proportionate” and compliance easier.

Current health and safety regulations, set by the HSE, are law and approved by Parliament. They’re there to ensure safety and identify risks – setting out specific action that must be taken to ensure health and safety at work. While these regulations generally work well, they can be costly and overbearing at times. With this in mind, there’s a call for changes to be made – such as the removal of some regulations and improvement of others.

 

What work safety law is under discussion?

workman climbing ladder

There are a number of regulations being monitored closely by the HSE. These include:

  • The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER)
  • The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER)
  • The Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR)
  • The Work at Height Regulations (WAH)

 

These regulations, which impact much of a tradespersons’ work, are soon to be improved – meaning they won’t be such a burden.

It’s not just regulations that are under scrutiny either. Management standards, including BS OHSA BS OHSAS 18001, are also in the spotlight as they’re thought to cause undue burdens on businesses.

Other issues in the spotlight include:

  • Licensing systems

There’s a call to simplify licensing systems such as asbestos license applications.

  • The Smart meter roll out

With the new Smart meter roll out, there have been discussions on who can remove gas meters. The Small Business Trade Association Forum (SBTAF) want to ease requirements on who can remove gas meters – making this process smoother and easier.

  • Written risk assessments

We all know that written risk assessments can take time and affect business productivity and efficiency. With this in mind, there are calls to reduce the burden of this type of work.

  • Annual gas checks

With the current regulations in place, landlords face strict requirements when it comes to property gas checks. Reviewed regulations will hopefully address this matter, making annual gas checks for landlords a little more flexible.

Putting HSE regulations into practice

managing safety

While HSE regulations help to create a safer working environment, it’s up to you – the employer / employee – to put regulations and guidelines into action. Our work safety training courses put all those important guidelines and regulations into practice and translate any jargon into real-world language. The majority of our courses comprise of theory, practice, and assessment – ensuring you get to grips with the material and leave with improved knowledge. Whether you need to swot up on safe practices when working from a height or learn how to lift objects correctly, we’ve got a course to suit your needs. Give us a call on 01282 615517 to find out more.

Our Ladder Safety Inspection Services also make health and safety rules easy to comply with. We do all the hard work for you – assessing your access products on your behalf – allowing you to get on with what you do best.

What are your thoughts on this topic? Tell us in the comments below or join the conversation on Twitter @Brownssafety

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