HSE creates unnecessary red tape blasts FPB

The FPB hit out after the HSE published its first ‘Myth of the Month’ cartoon, created to try and get the message home that they haven’t banned the use of stepladders – available on the HSE website. Victoria Carson, the FPB’s campaigns manager, believes they could make better use of their time saying: “If as much effort went into thinking about the consequences of some of the needless regulations created by the HSE then perhaps the owners of smaller businesses would be able to get through the day without being tied up in red tape.” The cartoon depicts a whistling worker making his way up a ladder, whilst a horde of inspectors and police scramble to pounce on him. The caption reads: “We have not banned stepladders – nor have we banned ladders!” The HSE points out: “Despite this, the allegation is regularly repeated and some firms have fallen for the myth and acted upon it. For straightforward, short duration work stepladders and ladders can be a good option, but you wouldn’t want to be wobbling about on them doing complex tasks for long periods.” “Neither would you want to be a small firm planning to have building work carried out in the near future,” responded Carson, referring to changes in health and safety regulations (Construction, Design, Management or CDM) brought into effect at the start of April, adding: “The Health and Safety Executive has not given due consideration to how these changes will impact on firms having construction work carried out. They have been brought into force before Parliamentary scrutiny of them could take place or opposition to them could be registered.” The FPB is calling for support from MPs for an Early Day Motion (EDM) tabled by Conservative Leader David Cameron, opposing the changes to CDM.