EEF welcomes HSE Triennial Review with reservations

The report – an independent review of the function, form and governance of the HSE carried out by Martin Temple – has recommended that the existing functions of the HSE continue to remain necessary and that the HSE should continue its work as a non-departmental public body. EEF agreed with this and that HSE's control and governance arrangements would benefit from further improvements and that HSE performance measures need to better clarified and made more transparent. However, EEF believes the report has missed an opportunity to look in more depth at establishing a unified health and safety agency (including local authorities) to cover all workplace health and safety issues. EEF also said the report has missed the chance to make health and safety a greater part of the 'business growth' agenda, especially in Europe, Terry Woolmer, head of health and safety policy for EEF, said: "The report has acknowledged the need for some sort of change to the HSE board structure. It advocates maintenance of the 'tripartite' arrangements but recognises that the Board requires members who have the right mix of competences to bring about effective strategic decision making. "EEF would have preferred to see more input to HSE board decision making through a stakeholder council, but this is a step in the right direction."