By the time the current parliamentary session comes to an end this May, 84% of Health and Safety laws will have been reviewed and simplified under the Conservative Government reports legal firm Pinsent Masons.
The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) asserts that their adoption of a “two in, one out” policy when it comes to refining existing Health and Safety rulings has saved UK businesses £21million since the last election; crucially, “without compromising health and protection for workers”.
“We have a proud history of worker protection and we continue to work with business and others to ensure that regulations are appropriate and effective,” said Judith Hackitt, chair of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). “As an organisation, we’ve completed a comprehensive review of our stock of legislation, delivered a substantial package of reforms and reduced the regulatory burden – all without compromising or diluting protection for workers,” she said.
According to the DWP, the biggest cost saving for businesses would come as a result of the updated Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM), which come into force on 6 April 2015. The new regulations, which remove the need for a standalone CDM coordinator to be appointed at construction sites, will save businesses an estimated £19.6m.