Health and Safety Commission
Encyclopedia
The Health and Safety Commission (HSC), was a United Kingdom
non-departmental public body
. The HSC was created by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA). The Commission consisted of a chairman and between six and nine other people, appointed by the appropriate Secretary of State, latterly the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
, after consultation. Its responsibilities covered England and Wales
and Scotland
. In Northern Ireland
, its functions were carried out by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland
. It merged with the Health and Safety Executive
on 1 April 2008.
The Commission was further obliged keep the Secretary of State informed of its plans and ensure alignment with the policies of the Secretary of State, giving effect to any directions given to it. The Secretary of State could give directions to the Commission.
On 1 April 2006, the Commission ceased to have responsibility for railway safety.
(HSE).
In August 2007, the Department for Work and Pensions
started consultation on merger of the HSC and HSE to a largely positive response. On 18 March 2008, government minister Lord McKenzie of Luton announced that the merger would be completed during spring 2008. The merger was completed on 1 April 2008.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
non-departmental public body
Non-departmental public body
In the United Kingdom, a non-departmental public body —often referred to as a quango—is a classification applied by the Cabinet Office, Treasury, Scottish Government and Northern Ireland Executive to certain types of public bodies...
. The HSC was created by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA). The Commission consisted of a chairman and between six and nine other people, appointed by the appropriate Secretary of State, latterly the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions is a post in the British Cabinet, responsible for the Department for Work and Pensions. It was created on 8 June 2001 by the merger of the Employment part of the Department for Education and Employment and the Department of Social Security.The Ministry...
, after consultation. Its responsibilities covered England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales is a jurisdiction within the United Kingdom. It consists of England and Wales, two of the four countries of the United Kingdom...
and Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. In Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, its functions were carried out by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland
Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland
The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland is a Northern Ireland non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment. It is responsible for the encouragement, regulation and enforcement of occupational health and safety in Northern Ireland...
. It merged with the Health and Safety Executive
Health and Safety Executive
The Health and Safety Executive is a non-departmental public body in the United Kingdom. It is the body responsible for the encouragement, regulation and enforcement of workplace health, safety and welfare, and for research into occupational risks in England and Wales and Scotland...
on 1 April 2008.
Functions
The Commission's' duties were to:- Assist and encourage persons concerned with matters relevant to the operation of the objectives of the HSWA;
- Make arrangements for and encourage research and publication, trainingTrainingThe term training refers to the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and competencies as a result of the teaching of vocational or practical skills and knowledge that relate to specific useful competencies. It forms the core of apprenticeships and provides the backbone of content at institutes of...
and information in connection with its work; - Make arrangements for securing that government departments, employers, employees, their respective representative organisations, and other persons are provided with an information and advisory service and are kept informed of, and adequately advised on, such matters;
- Propose regulations.
The Commission was further obliged keep the Secretary of State informed of its plans and ensure alignment with the policies of the Secretary of State, giving effect to any directions given to it. The Secretary of State could give directions to the Commission.
On 1 April 2006, the Commission ceased to have responsibility for railway safety.
Merger with the HSE
In practice, the Commission delegated its responsibilities to the Health and Safety ExecutiveHealth and Safety Executive
The Health and Safety Executive is a non-departmental public body in the United Kingdom. It is the body responsible for the encouragement, regulation and enforcement of workplace health, safety and welfare, and for research into occupational risks in England and Wales and Scotland...
(HSE).
In August 2007, the Department for Work and Pensions
Department for Work and Pensions
The Department for Work and Pensions is the largest government department in the United Kingdom, created on June 8, 2001 from the merger of the employment part of the Department for Education and Employment and the Department of Social Security and headed by the Secretary of State for Work and...
started consultation on merger of the HSC and HSE to a largely positive response. On 18 March 2008, government minister Lord McKenzie of Luton announced that the merger would be completed during spring 2008. The merger was completed on 1 April 2008.
External links
- About HSC, Health and Safety Executive,