HSC considers safety consultation responses

A Health and Safety Commission (HSC) meeting earlier this month heard the preliminary results from the recent consultation exercise Improving worker involvement - improving health and safety.

Of the 440 written replies to the consultation, which closed in September, almost two-thirds (279) were from safety reps.

But while unions favoured legislation, employers' organisations preferred a voluntary approach. The HSC said: "Their responses express scepticism about the ability of legislation to encourage consultation and involvement, and concern about increased requirements for record-keeping and bureaucracy."

A full report is expected for the HSC's meeting in February 2007.