What risk-related issues are on the agenda for 2008?

IN RECENT years several "big impact" laws have been introduced covering fire safety, smoking at work, discrimination, environmental waste, noise and even in-car distractions. In 2008, there appears to be little new risk-related regulation on the horizon, for now at least.

Norwich Union Risk Services (NURS) training and consultancy manager John Phillips told us: "Businesses are tired of new regulations, and those who've been calling for 'better regulation' are starting to get their way, with the Health and Safety Commission and other arms of Government backing away from introducing any new laws. There even seems to be fewer directives coming from Europe now.

"However, this does not mean that pressure on businesses to control workplace risks is off the agenda. In fact pressure to comply is often now coming from companies themselves, with firms now expecting their suppliers and business partners to demonstrate high standards of health and safety, business continuity and environmental management. Insurers will also be driving these standards forward."

NURS business continuity specialist, Alan Trueman agrees, adding that he expects new British standards for business continuity management to become more widely recognised in 2008. "I think we'll be hearing more about the new standards this year, particularly as more businesses seek certification," he said.

Alan also predicts that business continuity managers will be looking more closely at insurance cover in 2008. "Recent incidents, including the summer floods, suggest that some firms need to review their business interruption cover to make sure it's adequate for the length of time they might be put out of action," he said.

NURS consultant David Graves, told us that environmental management had gone from being little more than a "hobby" in the workplace ten years ago, to one of the UK's biggest mainstream issues.

"I expect more proposals to be made on carbon trading schemes in 2008, with plans likely to extend to include smaller businesses and even householders," he said. "Energy-saving will also be high on the agenda, and waste management will continue to feature."

Road safety

An area where Government pressure on business is likely to intensify during 2008 is work-related road safety.

NURS fleet risk specialist Steve Palmer explained: "It's clear that Government is not entirely satisfied with the level of progress being made to reduce the number of deaths and injuries on Britain's roads. In fact its own targets for 2010 appear unlikely to be met.

"Various consultation and review documents from the Department of Transport, as well as Parliamentary committees over the past 12 months, have suggested action is needed in three key areas - young drivers, drink-drivers and those who drive at work.

"One thing we may hear more of this year is some form of mandatory periodic driver training for company car drivers. We already know that CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) among bus and lorry drivers will feature strongly in 2008.

"It's also possible we will hear of more companies being investigated by the police following road crashes involving employees."

Health and safety

There is of course one piece of legislation coming up in April 2008 which we cannot ignore - the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act.

However, according to Phil Grace, Norwich Union's liability risk specialist, this new legislation may not have the kind of wide-ranging impact some might be expecting.

"A lot of what I've seen written about corporate manslaughter so far has been over-hyped and misinformed," said Phil. "The simple truth is if your business already has procedures in place to comply with current health and safety legislation there's nothing to fear from this new law.

"At the same time, it is important that companies understand the legislation, and we'll be doing our best over the next few months to ensure they're properly informed."

NURS' John Phillips hopes that in 2008 the idea of "sensible risk management" will be more widely appreciated by businesses and other organisations, including the media, as officials and professionals do more to counter their image of health and safety "kill-joys".

"It's time for people to understand what health and safety is really about - managing risk - as opposed to futile, foolish and frankly made-up attempts to ban things," he said.

Finally, John said it will be interesting to see how the Government's proposed "shake-up" of health and safety in the UK, announced towards the end of 2007, will progress during 2008.

What risk-related issues do you think will be important in 2008? Let us know using the feedback link above/right and we'll do our best to cover them over the coming months...