MPs fear over HSE site safety shift

MPs fear over HSE site safety shift

An anticipated move by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) which would remove the legal requirement on contractors to establish their sub-contractors are 'competent' has alarmed MPs. An early day motion tabled by Labour MP Jim Sheridan warns that 'the current review of the Construction Design and Management Regulations (CDM 2007) by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), planned for August 2013, will remove the reference to individual competence.' The motion 'recognises that the inclusion of competence in the CDM regulations is vital to ensure that the number of serious injuries and fatalities on construction sites are kept to a minimum' and adds the 'inclusion in the CDM regulations ensures that competence is extended to the supply chain relationships that are so vital in the construction industry.' He early day motion urges 'the government and HSE to consider retaining the reference, to ensure the principal contractor always has responsibility for checking all those working on a site are competent.'

• Skills safety in the construction sector, EDM 387, July 2013.