Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187) - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Ratification: 2008)

Further to its observation, the Committee requests the Government to provide additional information on the following points.

Article 2(2) of the Convention. Taking account of the principles set out in instruments of the ILO relevant to the promotional framework for occupational safety and health. The Committee notes that the Government indicated in its report that some of the Conventions not ratified by the United Kingdom often have counterparts in UK legislation or practice, such as the principles of national policy set out in Convention No. 155, at Articles 4, 6 and 7. The Government is requested to keep the Committee informed of any developments in this respect.

Article 2(3). Periodic consideration has been given to measures that could be taken to ratify relevant occupational safety and health Conventions of the ILO. The Committee notes that the Government states that the Labour Inspection (Agriculture) Convention, 1969 (No. 129), is at the early stages of being re‑evaluated and there is a possibility for the extension of the scope of the Working Environment (Air Pollution, Noise and Vibration) Convention, 1977 (No. 148). The Government is requested to keep the Committee informed of any developments on this respect.

Article 3(2). Promote and advance, at all relevant levels, the right of workers to a safe and healthy environment. The Committee notes the detailed information provided regarding the promotion of workers’ rights in relation to occupational safety and health (OSH), including the reference made to the right to raise safety and health concerns without suffering detriment, such as unfair dismissal, in accordance with the Employment Rights Act 1996 (sections 43, 44 and 100), workers’ rights to be involved in and contribute to safety and health at their workplace reflected, inter alia, in new and revised guidance launched by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), as well as promotional material addressed to vulnerable (including migrant and temporary) workers regarding their entitlements to health and safety protection at work, and the communications and training initiative to influence and support workers to get involved in OSH and to promote the benefits of joint problem-solving launched in March 2010. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the outcome of the abovementioned initiatives and to continue to provide information on measures taken to apply this provision of the Convention.

Article 3(3). Measures taken to promote the basic principles and to develop a national preventative safety and health culture. The Committee notes the Government’s reference to Regulation 4 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, 1999 (MHSWR), providing the legal basis for promoting the basic principles. The Committee notes, in particular, the setting up by the HSE of a “health and safety forum”, the campaign and media used by the HSE to promote the basic principles, and to develop a national preventive safety and health culture. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the outcome of the media campaign and to continue to provide information on measures taken to apply this provision of the Convention.

Article 4(3)(g). Collaboration with relevant insurance or social security schemes. The Committee notes that the Government’s report indicates that collaboration with social security services in regard to OSH rests with the Department of Work and Pensions, who are advised about its Industrial Disablement Benefits Scheme by an independent Industrial Injuries Advisory Council where the HSE has observer status. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the process, frequency and outcome of such collaboration and to continue to provide information on measures taken to apply this provision of the Convention.

Article 5(2)(d). Objectives, targets and indicators of progress. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government regarding the usage of objectives, targets and indicators of progress and that, in the Government’s view, performance in this area is best measured over the longer term and in terms of the direction towards objectives set up. In the context of the Departmental Strategic Objective (DSO), improvements in the incidence of fatal and major injuries are evaluated against a 1999–2000 baseline and work-related ill-health from a 2001–02 baseline. The Committee notes with interest the reference made by the Government to a systematic use of indicators and targets and that each year an assessment of progress against these targets and indicators, together with progress towards any related DSO measures, is published on the HSE website (www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/targets.htm). The Committee further notes that the HSE is also planning to publish an additional “One Year On” report in the autumn that aims to capture how others are responding to the new strategy. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the outcome of and experiences gained in relation to the use of the national indicators and targets.

Part V of the report form. Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee notes the detailed statistical information made available by the Government. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide references to available statistical data and to provide further information on any specific measures taken to address relevant trends in this context.