Unison Herts

The consultative document suggersts that there are three pillars to the strategy to increase workers participation in managing health and safety.

The document sets out the current position and options to strengthen each of the pillars, including possible amendments to the law on consultation with employees, inviting comments on the options and any new ideas that have not been considered.

Involving workers is a key theme of the HSC's strategy and both the HSC and the HSE said they are committed to improving the quality and quantity of workers participation in managing health and safety at work.

The summery document defines "worker involvement" as the way in which workers take part in making decisions about health and safety where they work.  This can happen via representatives, union and non-union who act on behalf of workers and feed information through to managers.

The summery document states that "the HSC and the HSC believe that worker involvment is at the very heart of sensible health and safety management ..... We know that effective worker involvement can reduce accidents and ill health.  So if we improve worker involvement, we will have healthier workers.  We will also help create more competitive and successful organisations".

To encourage as many people as possible to participate in the consultation, the HSE has published a summary document to introduce the issues involved, as well as organising a number of regional meetings to encourage people to share and discuss their views.

The consultation is open until 8 September 2006.  The HSE wesite is www.hse.gov.uk