Response from Sypol on Lord Young's report

Martin Smith of the Alcumus Group comments on Lord Young's report - Common Sense, Common Safety.

"We welcome the recommendations contained in Lord Young’s report on health and safety – Common Sense, Common Safety – published today. Over the last 30 years, Sypol has been working with businesses of all sizes across the UK to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of workers in every industry.

With a team of fully qualified and experienced health and safety consultants offering expert consultancy on all health and safety matters, we fully support the creation of the Occupational Safety Consultants Register. Business owners and managers will now be able to choose a partner to help them deliver excellent health and safety management secure in the knowledge that they are experts in this field.

The Report also recommends simplifying risk assessment procedures for low hazard workplaces. However, Sypol cautions the Government to make sure that the clarification of low hazard is made clear in order to eliminate the danger of some small business owners classifying themselves as low risk when hazards remain in the workplace.

ISOQAR joins Sypol and Infomatrix in newly formed Alcumus Group

Sypol is pleased to announce the acquisition of ISOQAR Holdings Limited by the Alcumus Group.

ISOQAR is one of the UK's largest independent providers of UKAS accredited certification services. Sypol, Infomatrix and ISOQAR will now form the Alcumus Group, a multi-disciplinary provider of risk management, compliance and certification services.

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The final days of the 'Elf'

Sypol responds to Lord Young's comments on his report to the Coalition Government reviewing health and safety.

Lord Young's report is likely to go some way to getting rid of the 'Elf' in health and safety. We can all make a positive contribution to the serious issue of saving lives of people at work. However, somewhere along the way it's been used as an excuse to increase red tape, encourage costly litigation and a mindset that says "Can't do".

Any positive steps to reduce the burden on businesses and bring to an end the climate of fear that suppresses initiative is most welcome, but with a caveat. Around 180(i) people are killed each year at work, and 246,000(ii) are injured. Each one leaves a trail of tragedy in its wake and we must not erode away the excellent work being done in businesses of every size across the country to help prevent accidents and ill health.

Sensible, robust health and safety legislation should be a benefit to all of us and not a burden. We encourage the Government to get rid of the 'Elf' but remember the importance of sensible safety management.

(i) HSE Statistics 2008/09
(ii) HSE Statistics 2008/09