Government plans to halve the number of health & safety regulations and make it easier for companies to challenge Health & Safety Executive rulings – plans which have been welcomed by the Stone Federation (see last month’s NSS) – have been attacked by Ian Wright, Labour’s Shadow Construction Minister.

Speaking to Building magazine, the Shadow Minister said: “He [Prime Minister David Cameron] should concentrate less on peddling myths and look instead at the facts.

“Effective health & safety in the construction industry is not petty or a burden on business. Sensible health & safety in construction keeps people safe, reduces staff absenteeism and helps improve productivity.

“It is a concern that 50 construction workers were killed in 2010/11. The prime minister needs to concentrate on reducing those fatalities and injuries.”

Meanwhile, the Government plans are going ahead. A new ‘Challenge Panel’ has been introduced this month that allows companies to challenge Health & Safety Executive (HSE) rulings and notices (such as prohibition notices that stop all activities and improvement notices that require changes to be made). You can make initial contact with the Panel via the HSE website (www.hse.gov.uk).

The HSE has been told by the Government that its budget must be cut by 35% over two years. To compensate, it is introducing charges of £133 an hour for its ‘support’ from April if it finds any faults in workshops, factories or on-site.

And there could be even more loosening of health & safety regulations proposed when the Red Tape Challenge reports, which it is expected to do shortly. The Red Tape Challenge is a Government initiative that offers companies and individuals the opportunity to have their say on the regulations that affect our everyday lives.