HSE is currently has been invited to participate in a project to review existing guidance for the Manufacturing Sector. The project will run from Sept – Dec ’09 and will seek to review existing guidance to assess its suitability and accessibility for SMEs. Initially, it will concentrate on guidance for the Woodworking sector and HSE is aiming to work with internal and external stakeholders to develop practical arrangements for reviewing existing HSE guidance to determine:
1) Whether there is appropriate and sufficient starter health and safety guidance targeted at SMEs; and
2) Whether any existing legally/technically detailed guidance can and should be adapted to make it more accessible for SMEs.
Initially targeting wood industry publications, it will concentrate on the SME fiendliness of those ‘publications’ targeted at the wood industry. This fits well with the Sector’s own SME agenda and support work currently underway to redevelop the wood WebPages on the HSE website.
Background: HSE’s manufacturing sector publishes guidance in a variety of forms. Historically, ‘SME-friendliness’ has not been a priority in developing and publishing this guidance, which is often technically detailed and targeted on an industry-segmented basis. SMEs have traditionally been targeted by way of more focussed SHADs (Safety & Health Awareness Days).
Members who may have the time and who wishto assist the BWF Secretariat in this exercise should let Michael Lee know by email