health and safety

1. HSE and occupational hygiene :
an independent view
HSE Occupational Hygiene Conference 2005
3rd November 2005
Andy Gillies
MD, Gillies Associates Limited
Nov. 2005 Gillies Associates Limited

2. Content
• The importance of occupational hygiene
• HSE‟s leadership position
• How is HSE perceived?
• Partnerships – with whom?
• Some key issues
• Thoughts for the future
Nov. 2005 Gillies Associates Limited

3. Occupational hygiene
ANTICIPATION
RECOGNITION
EVALUATION
CONTROL
Nov. 2005 Gillies Associates Limited

4. The Occupational Hygienist
skills set
• Anticipation and prevention of exposure
• Quantifying exposures, understanding how
and why exposure arises
• Practical control measures
• Risk communication
A fusion of „individual‟, „technology/workplace‟ and
„management‟ approaches
Nov. 2005 Gillies Associates Limited

5. HSE‟s leadership in
occupational hygiene
• Renewed focus on occupational health
• Largest group of occupational hygienists in the
UK
• Sponsored research
• Authoritative guidance
• Participation in BOHS
• Promotion of competence
• Enforcement role
• Political influence
• Independent of business and workers
Nov. 2005 Gillies Associates Limited

6. HSE and occupational hygiene:
how does industry see it?
“depends on the Inspector”
“threat of a visit is enough”
“Expect to see them if
things go wrong”
“lower risk items “confusing”
overlooked” “no clear priorities”
“HSE is providing a service”
“I‟d ask someone else first”
“massive amount
“competent and knowledgeable” of legislation”
“bogeyman”
“over „wordy‟ and
legalistic”
Nov. 2005 Gillies Associates Limited

7. Partnerships for OH
• Employees (TUC,
Unions, direct)
• Employers (CBI, SBS,
Chambers of Commerce)
• Professional bodies
(BOHS, POOSH)
• Research/academia
• Other Regulators (EA,
Avoid “turf wars”
LA, EU partners)
• “Joe Public” (media)
Nov. 2005 Gillies Associates Limited

8. Some key issues
• Key challenges in occupational hygiene
– Emerging issues (e.g. nanotechnology, air pollution,
biotechnology/genetic engineering)
– Disease Reduction Programme
– Working with SME‟s
• OH and Sustainability
– „Securing the future‟ – have we missed the boat?
– Tie-in with the Health agenda
– Product Stewardship and REACH
Nov. 2005 Gillies Associates Limited

9. Some key issues (cont.)
• Raising the profile of OH
– The business case - added value
– Sticks and Carrots
– OH still in the shadow of Safety
• Good Control Practice
– Principles of GCP
– Barriers to implementation
– „Real world‟ solutions
Nov. 2005 Gillies Associates Limited

10. Why good practice is not universal:
barriers to implementation
No fear of
P.P.E. Conflict with
enforcement
other priorities
“quick & cheap”
“N.I.M.T.O.”
false re-assurance
“will it work?”
Money
Lack of knowledge
Strapped for
of control options
cash
No business case
“we‟ve never had
Unseen chronic an accident”
health effects
Nov. 2005 Gillies Associates Limited

11. Thoughts for the future
• New challenges in occupational health
• Need to retain focus on lower risk issues as well
• HSE interface with Public Health
• Occupational Health and Sustainability
• Good Control Practice is a key area
“The key challenge is not the lack of desire to act, but rather the lack of
understanding and tools with which to act”
Nov. 2005 Gillies Associates Limited