Laws faced with axe

The HSE is consulting about removing 14 legislative measures as part of its Red Tape Challenge and on the recommendations in the Löfstedt independent review of health and safety.

It is seeking views on its proposal to withdraw one act, twelve regulations and one order.

In particular, the HSE is planning to remove the rules which help safeguard the health and safety of dockworkers – the 1988 Docks Regulations and 1983 Docks, Shipbuilding etc (Metrication) Regulations. This move is especially controversial as dockworkers have a fatality rate at least five times greater than the average.