Confusion reigns after Hackitt Poor Performance at Select Committee

Unions and MPs alike have been left scratching their heads after Judith Hackitt, the chair of the health and Safety Commission, made confusing remarks over the possible review of director’s duties.

Ms Hackitt faced intense questioning by MPs at a specially convened Department of Work and Pensions select committee meeting, today. The session was called due to growing concerns about the poor performance of the HSC/HSE, in preventing the deaths of workers.

Unions led by UCATT have long campaigned for the introduction of statutory directors duties, which would force companies to appoint a director with health and safety responsibilities. If health and safety rules were then flouted leading to a worker’s death or serious injury, then there would be the possibility of sending those responsible to prison.

Instead of introducing statutory guidance the Government and the HSE introduced voluntary guidance in 2001. Despite only 44 per cent of companies opting for the voluntary path and appointing a health and safety director, fresh voluntary guidance was issued last month.

When Ms Hackitt was questioned by Harry Cohen MP (a member of UCATT’s parliamentary group) she reluctantly accepted that there would be an early review: “of how the guidance has been taken up”.

Ms Hackitt then went on to say: “The ultimate measures of whether it results in more prosecutions and a reduction in the number of fatalities… cannot be measured realistically in six months or less than a year.”

Alan Ritchie, general secretary of UCATT, said: “Ms Hackitt and the HSE are fiddling while Rome burns. Every day people are needlessly dying at work. Only by introducing statuary directors duties with the possibility of custodial sentences will killer bosses be forced to put their house in order.”