HSE Ports & Logistics Strategy Meeting

On 27 July, at a meeting in Rose Court, one of the HSE offices in London, a team of industry representatives met to discuss proposals for the HSE Logistics Strategy and the wider HSE Delivery Plan for 2012 and beyond. The IOSH Retail and Distribution Group was represented.

Stephen Williams, Head of the HSE Operational Strategy Division, reported at the meeting that it would contribute to the Government's  "Good Health and Safety, Good for Everyone" plans, and the HSE Health and Safety of Great Britain Strategy "Be part of the solution".

Summary of key concerns and discussions – issues raised by industry, and suggestions for improvement

1. The importance of sharing good practice; and  use of innovative communication

2. Worker involvement

3. SMEs and self employed drivers less likely to seek and find information on HSE and other websites - need simple straightforward guidance on good practice in format suited to audience

4. Performance measures and benchmarking

5. Engaging with supply chains to identify Key Performance Indicators. All need to understand their role in the supply chain and their responsibilities for others
 
6. Identifying barriers to industry growth, including regulatory issues - better alignment with European/International standards such as IMDG and aviation standards
 
7. Adapting to new technology and work practices eg increase in home delivery, new energy technologies

8. Training and competence

9. Agencies and agency workers

10. Load safety and responsibilities of drivers and consignors

11. Partnership working between HSE and industry

Next steps

Further internal discussions are planned with colleagues across HSE to develop more specific delivery plans for future partnership working and interventions. HSE will share these plans with the industry working group members all as soon as they are able. One specific area HSE will be discussing is intelligence and data gathering, and ways in which HSE might be able to work with industry to provide better information for benchmarking and identifying hazard and risk areas.