EDP supports New interactive 'Pledge' forum launched today by HSE

It is now over 35 years since Lord Robens set out the basis of the 1974 Act and 17 years since in introduction of the EU regulations 'the 6 pack' and our workplaces are different and our work regimes are changing. It is accepted that the underlying enduring principles of the 74 act 'a statutory duty of care' and the specific legal compliance with the 92 regulations. But today as your document identifies we are levelling out and there is now a time for change. There are many complex reasons for this.

Our future workplaces will need to take account of the changing demographic, geographic, political, legal and economic environment. Providing safe and healthy environments and systems will need a new perspective - a new paradigm. In the next 10-20 years we will need to account for an aging workforce, baby-boomers are likely to be working into their late 70's probably part time to supplement their dwindling pension funds, these workers with their paradigm and world view is a great distance from the 'X', 'Y' and even the Technological savvy 'Z' generations that will enter the workforce along with the continued challenges of foreign workers at all levels of the organisations. It is our submission that a new paradigm is needed but first we need to know - what is our paradigm and my question is "Does the fish know it is swimming in water?" If we just do the same old things - the same old things will be our future. There is we submit 'another way' but it involves a new paradigm, as we say in EDP = 'turn the coin' on the other side as a different perspective, another world view
another paradigm.

Yes EDP pledge support for this!

About the HSE Mission: The document states the mission as "...the prevention of death, injury, and ill health to those at work and those effected by work activities' is in my view the wrong paradigm. On the other side of the coin it says...... "The promotion of values that will protect life, enhance health and deliver wholeness or the over worked word 'well being' ... for all those at work, and those affected by work activities.

Our worldview is changing as we are learning that until we realise that it's 'cool' to post positive statements on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and YouTube about workplace well being, change will be very difficult. This generation cannot identify with legal compliance and might even suggest that it is dead! - or at least dying. They have seen the collapse of mighty organisations like Enron, Anderson and even politicians and their expenses not for failing in their legal duty (compliance) but failing in there moral duty. These young people on their social networks have seen the cause of the current recession from the other side of the coin, i.e. Pursuit of wealth without wisdom; consumerism without control and debt without degrees. It is submitted that we need to see this strategy from a new paradigm but one that is already knocking at the door. We have an opportunity to achieve real and lasting change
to our workplaces and I fear we may miss it.

Yes EDP pledge support for this!

I wonder if it is time to 'reverse the curse'. We cannot kid the workforce any longer, we must take the moral ground and introduce a structure that reverts to those 'older' values that emerged over centuries by mystic and the faith movements alike - I will treat others as I would want others to treat me or as our early legislators of the 17th & 18th century argued.."I will do what I should do for my workers and others and I will not do what I should not do. We might go back even further, as the bible put it in Exodus 33.... thou shalt
not kill - so that things might go well with you.

There is no easy task before us, but there is a great one, and one that can deliver values to a nation that is in my view desperate for them. The challenge as we see it is DARE WE DREAM
IT INTO REALITY.

Yes EDP pledge support for this!

Just a thought Concerning Enforcement. In our workplaces policing and enforcement of abusive behavior must be addressed as every worker has the human right to return home after a days work alive, safe and healthy. Those who drive for profit over people will need to be held to account. However thee are many senior executives that are not like this, many are uninformed and so locked into their paradigm of 'the purpose of business is to increase shareholder value' only the enlightened see that true profit lies as the reward for doing business well, that is to build a better word for ALL its stakeholders.

I submit that a new language might also be developed - one from the other side of the coin. The way to motivate a young person to complete their homework is not to use force, or language of punishment and penalties for failure while parents watch the TV - what does that person learn by this - rather say.... 'let's have dinner together then we can all do our evening work and then watch TV together'. Modelling has worked for centuries - why change this value?

Yes EDP pledge support for this!

And concerning the Goals.
If Goals are the milestones along the route to achieving the Vision (Mission) then the strategy will stand or fall by them. These goals will need to be more quantifiable and measurable, they surely must be drawn along by the vision.About the British Safety Council and 'Sword of Honour' Award
The British Safety Council is one of the world's leading occupational health, safety and environmental organisations. Founded in 1957, its mission is to support a healthier, safer and more sustainable society. More information can be found on the BSC Website.

The Sword of Honour is an award that was inaugurated in 1979 to encourage and recognise the achievement of organisations whose first-class health and safety management is amongst the very best in the world.

Read the British Safety Council press release at http://www.britsafe.org/download/award-schemes/Sword-of-Honour-Press-Release.pdf

For further information please visit www.edp-uk.com

EDP is a specialist health, safety and environment consultancy operating from strategic locations throughout the UK. They can provide guidance, support and training for companies who may wish to outsource their entire system for health, safety and the environment or can offer a modular approach, working closely with key senior management and Facilities and HR personnel. Regardless of size or sector, EDP has an extensive range of services for all aspects of health, safety and environment compliance.

NOTES TO EDITORS:
For more information on EDP and their range of services, please contact:
Nicky Lewis, Simply Marcomms Limited,18 Generator Hall, Electric Wharf, Coventry, CV1 4JL
Tel: 0870 199 4044, Email: nicky@simplymarcomms.co.uk
Representatives from EDP are available for Media interviews and speaking opportunities.

If you would like to be added to the PR distribution list for future news or to arrange an interview, please contact Nicky Lewis at nicky@simplymarcomms.co.uk or call 0870 199 4044