Puneet Varma (Editor)

Health and Safety Commission

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Formed
  
31 July 1974 (31 July 1974)

Dissolved
  
1 April 2008 (2008-04-01)

Superseding agency
  
Health and Safety Executive

Type
  
Crown-status non-departmental public body

Jurisdiction
  
England and Wales and Scotland

The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) was a United Kingdom non-departmental public body. The HSC was created by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA). It was formally established on 31 July 1974. The Commission consisted of a chairman and between six and nine other people, appointed by the appropriate Secretary of State, latterly the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, after consultation. The first meeting of the HSC took place on 1 October 1974. Its responsibilities covered England and Wales and Scotland. In Northern Ireland, its functions were carried out by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland. It merged with the Health and Safety Executive on 1 April 2008.

Contents

The Commission's duties were to:

  • Assist and encourage persons concerned with matters relevant to the operation of the objectives of the HSWA;
  • Make arrangements for and encourage research and publication, training and information in connection with its work;
  • Make arrangements for securing that government departments, employers, employees, their respective representative organisations, and other persons are provided with an information and advisory service and are kept informed of, and adequately advised on, such matters;
  • Propose regulations.

    • The Commission was further obliged keep the Secretary of State informed of its plans and ensure alignment with the policies of the Secretary of State, giving effect to any directions given to it. The Secretary of State could give directions to the Commission.

    On 1 April 2006, the Commission ceased to have responsibility for railway safety.

    Chair of the Health and Safety Commission

    William (Bill) James Simpson (born 20 May 1920, died November 2001) July 1974 - 1983.

    Sir (Edward) John Cullen (born 19 October 1926) 1983 - 30 September 1993.

    Sir Frank John Davies CBE OStJ (born 24 September 1931) 1 October 1993 - 30 September 1999.

    William (Bill) Henry Callaghan (born 19 May 1948) 1 October 1999 - 30 September 2007.

    Dame Judith Elizabeth Hackitt CBE (born 1 December 1954) 1 October 2007 - 31 March 2008.

    Merger with the HSE

    In practice, the Commission delegated its responsibilities to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

    In August 2007, the Department for Work and Pensions started consultation on merger of the HSC and HSE to a largely positive response. On 18 March 2008, government minister Lord McKenzie of Luton announced that the merger would be completed during spring 2008. The merger was completed on 1 April 2008.

    References

    Health and Safety Commission Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA