Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment her Department has made of the level of enforcement of the Installations (Safety Representatives and Safety Committees) Regulations 1989 by the Health and Safety Executive; and if she will make a statement.

Workforce Engagement inspections are largely focused on compliance with the Installations (Safety Representatives and Safety Committees) Regulations 1989 (“SI 971”). From the 26 inspections undertaken specifically on workforce engagement, some 50+ non-compliance issues have been raised, formally in writing, with duty holders.

HSE’s offshore inspection web page provides information on how HSE conducts inspections, what is expected of duty holders and guidance for the industry. It can be found at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/offshore/inspection.htm.

The level of enforcement is determined by the application of HSE’s Enforcement Management Model.

Compliance with SI 971 was subject to an inspection project during 2010 by HSE. The final report delivered in March 2011 and is available from HSE’s website: http://www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/meetings/iacs/oiac/wig/010911/index.htm. SI 971 compliance is now a key part of every Workforce Engagement inspection.

HSE’s development and use of the role of a Workforce Engagement specialist has also increased impact in this key area.