A
pilot scheme that placed worker safety advisers within firms to try and raise
awareness of health and safety issues has been hailed a success by the head of
the HSC.
The
Worker Safety Advisers (WSA) were deployed at 88 employers and proved so
influential that 75 per cent of firms made changes to their approach to health
and safety.
The
Health and Safety Commission (HSC) set-up the pilot to test the WSA approach in
promoting greater consultation, raising standards and increasing knowledge of
health and safety.
The
nine-month project deployed nine WSAs around the country as part of an
agreement struck with ministers in 2000 to promote greater employee involvement
and consultation.
In
addition, 73 per cent of employers that took part in the scheme said awareness
of health and safety had increased, while 70 per cent of staff said there had
been more discussion on the issue.
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