Has Robens stood the test of time?


Reflecting on the 50th anniversary of the Robens Report of 1972, which led to the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, HSE director of regulation Philip White said he believes “Robens has not only stood the test of time, but remains relevant to HSE in a crucial new phase”. 


But a new IER institute of employment rights publication, Work and health: 50 years of regulatory failure, argues that “Robens’ recommendations were made on the basis of a flawed analysis”.