Date: 30/10/2007
High Peak Borough Council today signed up to the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) campaign to combat the growing number of myths that are undermining important health and safety legislation.
The HSE are asking all local authorities to sign up to the 'ten principles of sensible risk management' which gives organisations practical advice on what risk management should - and should not be about.
The campaign was launched at the Local Government Association's (LGA) annual conference in Birmingham earlier this year. High Peak Borough Council is one of the first local authorities in Derbyshire to commit to this campaign.
Emily Thrane, Executive Member for Corporate Services said: "We've all heard the stories about health and safety making children wear goggles to play conkers. This is not what the Health and Safety Executive are about and it is not what the Council wants and not what the law requires.
She added: "We want to focus our attention on practical steps that protect people from real risks that can lead to injury and death. Protecting the health and safety of our staff and the community we represent has always been a crucial issue for the Council. Over time, the mythical stories of health and safety has undermined the good work we and other councils do to protect vulnerable members of society.
"We are proud to be one of the first councils in Derbyshire to sign up to protecting our workers and community through sensible health and safety policies and commit to focusing on saving lives not bureaucratic back covering."
More information can be found at www.hse.gov.uk/risk/index.htm