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Regulatory reform: merger of HSC and HSE 2

United Kingdom
11/07/2008
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On 1 April 2008, the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) merged to become one single statutory body, retaining the name ‘Health and Safety Executive’. The proposal for change originated from the HSC and HSE themselves, who felt that the existence of two separate bodies was confusing and reduced the impact of important communications. The aim of the merger is to modernise the corporate structure, making it more accountable and improving effectiveness – it should result in better decision-making and a clearer public presence.

In order to put the merger into effect, amendments to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 were necessary. These amendments were made by the Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 under the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006.

The HSE is now chaired by the former HSC chair Judith Hackitt, whilst the commissioners are now non-executive directors of the HSE. The HSE board has become the senior management team, and is fully responsible for the operation of the HSE. The HSE is expected to publish a strategy for the next five years towards the end of 2008.

To view our Law-Now on the merger click here.

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