HEALTH & SAFETY
The direction of travel is clear, but questions remain as to how enforcement will proceed, especially given the likely overlap between workplace stressors and those arising externally. It is understood that there are around half a dozen or so live investigations by the HSE into workplace stress and we anticipate that the next few years will see the commencement of initial prosecutions in this area. The HSE has recently taken its legal function in-house and is increasing the resources available to pursue enforcement activity. Healthcare providers would therefore be well advised to start considering now, if they are not already doing so, these issues as part of their day- to-day management.
CONCLUSION
Recent years have seen a change in both the manner in which the HSE undertakes its regulatory function, as well as broadening its areas of interest.
x.com/TomorrowsCare
Whilst questions have been asked in the wider media as to the extent to which the HSE remains an effective regulator, as matters stand it could be seen to be at a crossroads. There are early indicators that it is starting to re-embrace its original advisory role, and include within its operations novel areas of regulation; but it is also poised and resourced to increase the number of enforcement actions and prosecutions initiated. Although these two objectives are not mutually exclusive, only time will tell which will take precedence.
Until that time, healthcare providers should review the entire scope of their operations to identify where risks may exist – especially in light of the HSE’s priorities going forwards – and implement appropriate control measures to ensure that those hazards are being appropriately managed.
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