Health and Safety Executive Health and Safety Executive Hot topics 13 December 2011 Barbara Hockey Strategic Interventions Division

Musculoskeletal Disorders Directive Main findings of the EU impact assessment suggest a new Directive most beneficial way forward for Europe. IA presented to the Commissions Impact Assessment Board on 23rd November IA sent back to DG Employment for further work. Commission now expects the results of the Boards scrutiny on 14th February The proposed text for the Directive is now expected to be published in April 2012.

MSD Directive - UK position We support the Commissions aim of simplifying legislation Current approach in the UK is appropriate We believe a new directive will result in additional costs We will urge the Commission to produce proposals which do not increase costs to business Industry representatives have also raised concerns with the EC.

Night shift work – research to date HSE commissioned the University of Oxford to undertake an extensive study on the relationship between shift work and chronic disease; Study will complete in December September HSE published an ONS analysis of shift work in the UK based over the last ten years

Night shift work – research to date HSE is aware of a number of other ongoing studies world-wide and each of them will add to the evidence base as they are published The reported risk of breast cancer has so far varied between studies. HSE does not presently regard the evidence as such that employers should be asked to do more to protect the health of their shift workers than is required by current regulations HSE guidance available – HSG 256 Managing Shift Work

RIDDOR Minister accepted HSE Board recommendation to make the change to RIDDOR. HSE Board also agreed that: deadline by which reports must be made should be increased from 10 to 15 days; HSE should issue clear advice to remind duty holders to continue to record O3D injuries; HSE to monitor the impact of this change to RIDDOR Earliest date amendment can become law is the 6 April 2012 common commencement date.

Migrant Workers DVD Free DVD to help employers make sure their migrant workforce stays safe and healthy at work The Right Tools for the Job Straightforward guide to the control measures employers need to consider when the workforce includes those newly arrived from overseas The DVD is available free from HSEs distributor Prolog [Order reference: DVDMIG]

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