Sarah Newton, chair of the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), has spoken of her overriding feeling of pride in the people and achievements of the organisation, as she reflected on her first year in the post.
She said: “HSE’s resilience, flexibility and determination to deliver on our mission, values and business plans during these testing times continues to be an inspiration
“HSE stepped up and continues to contribute to the national response to the global pandemic. At the same time, colleagues are taking on significant new responsibilities and expanding others so that we enable more people to be safe and feel safe in their homes, whether houses, apartments or high-rise buildings, as well as protecting people and the environment from harmful exposure to chemicals and explosives.”
Behind the scenes, Ms Newton said that HSE staff colleagues have enabled new ways of working, including the continuity of helplines and growth in HSE’s online advice and information communications reach.
“Right across the organisation there is much learning that is valuable and will inform our new strategy and future business plans,” she said.
During the pandemic, HSE also developed the Spot Check service that has enabled HSE to support local authorities across GB to support workplaces to be to as COVID-secure as possible.
Ms Newton said: “While we remain focused on prevention, it is also essential that we also hold people to account and secure justice.”