UTTLESFORD council has signed up to a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) campaign to combat the growing number of myths that are undermining health and safety legislation. HSE Head of Operations for the East, Geoff Baker, met with Essex Chief Executives to

UTTLESFORD council has signed up to a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) campaign to combat the growing number of myths that are undermining health and safety legislation.

HSE Head of Operations for the East, Geoff Baker, met with Essex Chief Executives to publicly sign up to 'ten principles of sensible risk management' which gives practical advice on what risk management should - and should not - be about.

The initiative was launched at the CEO meeting at Hylands House in Chelmsford on October 9 2008.

Geoff Baker said: "We've all heard the stories about health and safety banning hanging baskets or making children wear goggles to play conkers. This is not what we are about - it is not what HSE wants, not want Uttlesford Council wants, and not what the law requires.

"We all want to focus our attention on practical steps that protect people from real risks that can lead to injury and death; we do not want to stop people from living their lives.

"I am inviting all the East's local authorities to follow the example set by Essex Councils and join with us in tackling the issue by publicly signing up to 'sensible risk'. Together we can embed these principles into our working culture and ensure the decisions we make focus on the real task of saving lives and preventing injuries and ill health."

John Mitchell, Chief Executive at Uttlesford District Council, said: "Protecting the health and safety of our workers and the community we represent has always been a crucial issue for us. Exaggerated stories of health and safety risk undermining the good work we and other Councils do to protect vulnerable members of society.

"We are proud to sign up to protecting our workers and community through sensible health and safety policies and commit to focusing on saving lives.