UK Officials Reduce Mandatory Inspections -- Occupational Health & Safety

UK Officials Reduce Mandatory Inspections

Combating red tape and over-regulation, UK officials have eliminated the laws that require some businesses to be inspected on a regular basis.

Sep 11, 2012

Health and safety officials in the United Kingdom have lowered the number of required inspections for low-risk organizations. By April 2013, routine checks will not be carried out on locations such as shops, clubs, and offices, eradicating inspections that government officials now see as an unnecessary burden.

In lieu of the regular inspections, government officials now will inspect such businesses only when a complaint has been filed or there is reason for safety concern.

Some trade unions are arguing this may put workers at further risk. Bob Crow, leader of the Rail Maritime and Transport union, said he believes this will be a detriment to safety standards. "This isn't about cutting red tape; it's about cutting the throat of safety regulations, and the trade unions will mobilize a massive campaign of resistance," Crow said in an interview with BBC News.

The British government also is cutting more than 3,000 regulations in actions officials claim will save millions of pounds.

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