Structure of HSC and HSE at N2 level

HSC & HSE

The UK HSC & HSE: Structure and Functions

UK's Health and Safety Commission (HSC) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are the two main institutions set-up through The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act (HSW Act) 1974. The two bodies are responsible for the regulation of risks to health and safety arising from work activity in Britain. This paper explains the structure and functions of these two organizations.

Health and Safety Commission (HSC):

Structure: The HSC is a body of up to ten people appointed by the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions after consultations with organizations representing employers, employees, local authorities and others if applicable. It consists of nine Commissioners and is headed by a Chair. They are supported by a number of Advisory Committees for expert advice, e.g., the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Substances (ACDS), the Advisory Committee on Toxic Substances (ACTS), Agricultural Industry Advisory Committee (AIAC), and Construction Industry Advisory Committee (CONIAC) etc. These Advisory Committees of the HSC are further backed by several Sub-Committees. For instance, the ACDS has a Major Hazards Subcommittee, a Gas Safety Subcommittee, a Flammable Substances Subcommittee, the Petroleum Working Group, and the Explosives Subcommittee.

Functions: The primary role of the HSC is to protect everyone in Great Britain against risks to health or safety arising out of work activities. It also conducts and sponsors research on work-related safety, promotes training, and provides an information and advisory service. It also prepares and submits proposals for new or revised regulations and approved codes of safety practice. In addition, the HSC has a specific duty to maintain the Employment Medical Advisory Service, which provides advice on occupational health matters.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

Structure: The Executive consists of a body of three people, appointed by the Commission (i.e., HSC) with the consent of the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions. The organization is headed by a Director General. The other two "Executives" are the Deputy Director General (Operations) and the Deputy Director General (Policy). The Deputy Director General (Operations), in turn, heads various departments such as Field Operations Directorate, Nuclear Safety Directorate, Hazardous Installations Directorate etc. Other HSE departments such as the Communications Directorate and the Resource and Planning Directorate work under the Deputy Director General (Policy). The Executive and its staff of around 4000 consist of policy advisors, inspectors, technologists, and scientific and medical advisors -- and are known collectively as HSE.

The 11 member HSE Board consists of the Director General, the two Deputy DGs and eight Directors heading the more important HSE Directorates.