Local authorities in Scotland are responsible for enforcing health and safety legislation in 45 per cent of workplaces, while the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is responsible for the remainder. In this briefing, we examine how that statutory duty is being carried out in Scotland.
Workplace ill health in Scotland has increased by 50 per cent over the past decade. It now affects 1 in 30 workers, compared with 1 in 20. Yet planned inspections and enforcement activity is minimal. Each workplace in Scotland receives a planned visit, on average, every 295 years, and a workplace in Scotland has only a 0.2 per cent chance of receiving any form of enforcement notice. Staffing levels are also low with only one inspector for every 3269 workplaces.
The underfunding and near-abandonment of health and safety enforcement by local authorities stem from council cuts and a culture of deregulation. We need adequate funding for both the local authority and the HSE to fulfil their statutory duties.
The Herald coverage of the briefing is here.