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Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (RATIFICATION: 1949)

Legislation. The Committee refers the Government to its observation and notes with interest the information pertaining to numerous government web sites publishing laws and regulations on occupational safety and health that came into effect during the period covered by the Government’s report.

Article 5(a) of the Convention. Cooperation between the labour inspection services and other government departments. The Committee also notes with interest the various cooperation agreements that the Health and Safety Executives for Great Britain and Northern Ireland have concluded with other government departments and authorities. Noting the agreements on specific health and safety issues in the agricultural sector, particularly in Northern Ireland, and also noting from information available at the International Labour Office that the Government envisages re-examining the Labour Inspection (Agriculture) Convention, 1969 (No. 129), with a view to possible ratification, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would keep the Office informed of any developments in this regard.

Article 18. More effective penalties for breaches of the law. The Committee notes with interest that the Health and Safety (Offences) Act of 2008 introduced new penalties, including the possibility of imprisonment, and that it came into force in January 2009. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide statistics on the enforcement of these new provisions indicating any impact they may have on compliance with the legislation during the period covered by the next report.