EU Health, Safety and Environmental Directives

19th February 2010 - 2:45 pm - by Content Manager 2

Question from Institute of Quarrying Question Time on 18 February.

Mark Osbaldeston: ‘Do you think EU Health, Safety and Environmental Directives are applied and enforced with greater voracity in the UK than in other member states?’

Miles Watkins: ‘The UK is well regulated, but environmental legislation sometimes has unintended consequences’

Chris Dobbs: ‘There is a perception that UK regulation is heavy-handed, but in other countries, such as the US, penalties for non-compliance can be much more severe. The UK is not good at engaging with Brussels and other countries do better because more resources are committed to lobbying’

Ian Thomas: ‘A recent trip to Scandinavia revealed that regulation in the region is more pragmatic than in the UK, but standards of operation are generally lower’

Chris Dobbs: ‘Pragmatic regulation is possible when people have experience of operating on both sides of the fence. Unfortunately, in the UK, most Environment Agency officers have little or no understanding of the quarrying industry, which is a significant problem’

Replies: 1

Comments

MKI
22 Apr 2010 - 13:49

Mark, it is true that other members of the EU27 are at different points on the H&S learning curve. We, in the UK, must concentrate on striving to become a world class industry. The QNJAC target of a "fully competent (quarrying) workforce by the end of 2010" is a case in point. We need engagement from ALL quarry companies, not just the 'majors', but everyone. MPA's policy is to pursue the 'gold standard' of NVQ/QCF+CPD - such a combination provides THE best demonstration of continuing competence AND the best defence if challenged by the Regulator or a Court of Law. And we are developing plans this year to assist our Members - and prospective members - in a way that will be unequalled by any other trade body.

Martin Isles, Director Health & Safety, MPA, 22 April 2010