Making Companies Safe - what works? (CCA ... - Unite the Union

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provides stronger evidence that seminars may be effective in stimulating action. But there are a number of reasons why future action should not be based on the results on this single study. First, seminars are only likely to attract more highly motivated companies. So seminars do not provide an effective medium for reaching the poor performers or small employers. Second, there are problems in judging the relative effectiveness of seminars as compared to inspections, since the seminar sample was self-selecting whilst the inspection sample was not. Also, the smaller number of inspections undertaken means that there was not sufficient data to compare the effects of inspections with seminars in relation to most of the different sectors. So whilst seminars appeared particularly effective at stimulating action in construction and agriculture, we do not know how this compares to the effects of inspections within these sectors. Also, since construction and agriculture have particularly high rates of death and injury relative to other sectors, it would be unwise, on the basis of such limited data, to substitute seminars or similar activities for inspections within these sectors. Finally, even if employers were driven primarily by a conviction that it is morally right to protect the health and safety of workers, the assumption that information-based strategies will be enough to secure OHS improvements amongst the majority of organisations is based on a rather simplistic notion of firm behaviour. The evidence shows that occupational health and safety will generally be one amongst many other priorities competing for management attention and resources. And the consequences of this are apparent in the findings of many UK studies, which show that compliance is often patchy even when levels of knowledge and understanding are high. This indicates that knowledge is not enough – absent the threat and reality of enforcement – to secure adequate improvements in the health and safety performance of individual firms. This does not mean that campaigns and educational activities are not important. But it does imply that these activities are at best a ‘partial strategy’ 45 that will only be effective if they occur in the context of consistent and frequent inspections backed by enforcement activity. Moreover, the study by Rakel et al. shows that information and guidance may be insufficient drivers even in the context of firms that appear highly motivated since the study showed that levels of action following both seminars and mailshots were lowest amongst those firms expressing a wish for more information. 46 Consequently, while it may be important to explore more effective methods for communicating with organisations, and especially SMEs, it is also crucial that this occurs within a framework where there is a credible level of enforcement. 1 Wright et al. (2004: 36). 2 Hillage et al. (2001: 24). 3 For instance Honey et al.’s (1997) evaluation of the ‘Breathe Freely’ campaign, Thomson-MTS (1993a: 7) and Hillage et al. (2001: 24). 4 Hillage et al. (2001: 23). 5 Wright et al. (2000). 6 Wright et al. (2000: 22, 98). 7 See Wright et al. (2000: 113-115). 8 Wright et al. (2000: 40). 9 The data tell us nothing about either the adequacy of any action taken, nor whether the most significant health risks within each organisation have been addressed, nor whether firms were in compliance with specific health and safety regulations. 10 Hillage et al. (2001: 24). 11 Wright et al. (2000). 12 Honey et al. (1997). 13 Hillage et al. (2001: 34). 14 Rakel et al. (1999). 15 Wright et al. (2000); and Mayhew et al. (1997). 65
16 This was at an aggregate level. Results varied according to sector. For instance, for the Motor Vehicle Repair sector, inspection were more effective at stimulating action than seminars. 17 Rakel et al. (1999: v). 18 Wright et al. (2000); Vickers et al. (2003). 19 Rakel et al. (1999: 45). 20 Wright et al. (2000: 44). 21 See Hillage et al. (2001) and Wright et al. (2004) for overviews of these studies. 22 Brazabon (2000). The other reasons identified by interviewees were complexity of the regulations and the HSE’s failure to adequately enforce the regulations. 23 Eakin (1992). 24 This was one of just a few studies that attempted to measure impacts in a way that did not rely entirely upon self-reporting by industry. 25 Rakel et al. (1999: 43). 26 Mayhew and Quinlan (1997). 27 Wright (1998: 10). 28 Thomson-MTS (1993a). 29 Brazabon et al. 30 Hillage et al. (2001: 26). Emphasis added. 31 Loughborough University and UMIST (2003: 70). See also Bomel Ltd (2004). 32 Thomson-MTS (1993a). 33 Loughborough Univeristy and UMIST (2003: ix). 34 Topping et al. (1998: 365). As the authors point out, this is the opposite of the approach required by COSHH which is “first to consider substitution, then adequate control of exposure by engineering means and then finally PPE”. 35 Thomson-MTS (1993a). 36 Discussed in Wright (1998: 83-84). 37 Thomson-MTS (1993a: 86). 38 Thomson-MTS (1993a: 86-87). See also Dawson et al. (1988) who found that safety often takes a back seat to more commercial matters. 39 Seee Wright et al. (2004: 53-58). See also Gunningham (1999a: 48-49) for further suggestions on how regulatory authorities might use intermediaries for the dissemination of information. 40 Wright et al. (2004: 72). 41 Wright et al. (2004: 76). 42 Wright et al. (2004: 76). 43 Gunningham (1999a: 30), see also Capel (1991). 44 Baggs et al. (2003). Discussed in chapter five. 45 Gunningham (1999a: 38). 46 Rakel et al. (1999: 62-63). 66
Page 1 and 2:
Making companies safe: What works?
Page 3 and 4:
Acknowledgments: Courtney Davis wou
Page 5 and 6:
Contents INTRODUCTION 7 MAIN FINDIN
Page 7 and 8:
So for example, the new Strategy do
Page 9 and 10:
“In recent years, there had been
Page 11 and 12:
Chapter eight is a short chapter lo
Page 13 and 14: • The only sector-specific data o
Page 16: PART ONE Legal Regulation v Volunta
Page 19 and 20: self-regulation through the adoptio
Page 21 and 22: • A number of studies evaluating
Page 23 and 24: Gap in the law Yet despite the impo
Page 25 and 26: By September 2002 the Government ha
Page 27 and 28: Conclusion In conclusion, the Green
Page 29 and 30: effectiveness of safety representat
Page 32 and 33: Chapter Four Conclusion There is ve
Page 34: PARTS TWO & THREE Strategies to sec
Page 37 and 38: A recent HSE discussion paper illus
Page 40 and 41: Chapter Five The Health and Safety
Page 42 and 43: Support for these findings comes fr
Page 44 and 45: Gray and Scholz attempt to understa
Page 46 and 47: perceived low level of current fine
Page 48 and 49: Chapter Six The Implications for th
Page 50 and 51: five times greater than if one had
Page 52: Select Committee on Work and Pensio
Page 56: The evidence reviewed in part two s
Page 59 and 60: health risk management between “a
Page 61 and 62: The relationship between knowledge
Page 63: Conclusion Whatever factors prompt
Page 67 and 68: - the year that the initiative was
Page 69 and 70: When safety does not pay (or does n
Page 71 and 72: Similarly, firms might make an econ
Page 73 and 74: However, even in the context of mul
Page 75 and 76: does, exert a negative influence on
Page 77 and 78: to cost “a little” or “nothin
Page 79 and 80: For instance, when BP Grangemouth r
Page 82 and 83: Chapter Ten ‘Earned Autonomy’ T
Page 84 and 85: A similar experiment in self-regula
Page 86 and 87: Whilst the original focus of TQM wa
Page 88 and 89: “the more firms incorporate ethic
Page 90 and 91: “In Norway the mandated model is
Page 92 and 93: odies, pressure groups and/or the m
Page 94 and 95: Health and Safety Management System
Page 96 and 97: Gunningham and Johnstone argue that
Page 98 and 99: Conclusion Proposals that some comp
Page 100 and 101: 37 The Norwegian Internal Control R
Page 102 and 103: PART FOUR Conclusion 103
Page 104 and 105: Chapter Eleven Conclusion The Healt
Page 106 and 107: Appendix Select Committee on Work a
Page 108 and 109: References Alder A., Tipping A. and
Page 110 and 111: Health and Well-Being’, in Frick
Page 112 and 113: Honey S., Hillage J. et al. (1997)
Page 114 and 115:
Nichols T. and Armstrong P. (1973)
Page 116 and 117:
Wokutch R.E. and VanSandt C.V. (200
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