Tag: RoSPA

RoSPA: Collaboration and education are key in reducing UK child deaths

  • First of its kind NCMD report released today which RoSPA contributed to
  • Data shows that collaboration and education are ‘vital’
  • Road collisions and drowning are two of the biggest killers

Collaboration and education are key in keeping the nation’s children safe from injury and death, that’s the message today from The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) in the wake of new child mortality data released by a leading University.

Data from the University of Bristol’s National Child Mortality Database (NCMD) team, created in collaboration with RoSPA and other key organisations, shows that 644 children aged up to 18 in England died due to traumatic injuries between 1 April 2019 and 31 March 2022; of these, 211 died because of a vehicle collision, 160 died due to violence and maltreatment, and 84 died by drowning.

A further 189 died due to other traumatic injuries such as drug or alcohol poisoning, suffocation, falls, choking, foreign object consumption, fires, electrocution, falling objects and dog attacks.

According to RoSPA, Accidents remain the UK’s biggest killer of children and young people up to the age of 19, and are the biggest cause of preventable, premature death up to the age of 60.

The report (which used data from the NCMD cohort, a first-of-its-kind initiative to collect comprehensive and timely information on every child death in England) sought to identify risks and patterns from the 9,983 child deaths that occurred in England between 1 April 2019 until 31 March 2022.

Ashley Martin, Public Health Advisor at RoSPA, worked closely with the NCMD on the report. He said: “We welcome this valuable report and data analysis that is an important step forward in understanding the scale and causes of accidental death among children, a significant number of which occur in their own homes.

“The report confirms the tragic toll of accidental death among children and the effects on their families and makes vital recommendations to Government ,organisations and. charities.

“Now, we need to come together to understand how to use these findings to reduce the death toll and keep more children and young people safe from harm.”

In terms of road collision data, the report found:

  • There were 211 deaths of children and young people due to vehicle collisions over the last three years.
  • Death rates were highest for 15-17 year olds, with children in deprived areas disproportionately affected. There were 37 (17.5%) deaths of children aged under 5, 70 (33.2%) deaths of children and young people aged 5-14 years, and 104 (49.3%) deaths of young people aged 15-17 years.
  • Collisions where the child was in the vehicle as a driver or passenger were most common (35% of all deaths)) followed by deaths where the child was a pedestrian (32%). The most common type was car or van collisions for 15-17 year olds and pedestrian collisions for those aged 10-14.
  • Contributory factors in these crashes were speeding (27%), risk taking, consumption of drugs and alcohol (by the child or driver) and non-use of appropriate safety equipment (20%). In some instances, complex home circumstances was identified as a factor. Road design was also a factor in many collisions.

Rebecca Guy, Road Safety Manager at RoSPA, said: “We strongly support the recommendation that all primary school children receive road safety education and are looking at ways we can build on our previous work with parents and schools.

“We also believe that road layout and design needs to be suitable for all – pedestrians, cyclists and motorised vehicle users included and agree that support for witnesses to vehicle collisions should be improved.

“We look forward to taking the results of these findings and using them as a basis for our lifesaving accident prevention work.”

The report also showed that deaths due to drowning increased over the three years, with 20 deaths in 2019-20, rising to 37 in 2021-22.

They occurred most commonly in inland bodies of water (such as a river or lake) or in the bath and increased over the three years. The children and young people most at risk were those aged under five or over 15, males, those living in the most deprived neighbourhoods, and children from a Black or Black British ethnic background.

Over half the deaths occurred during the summer months, although some evidence shows that deaths in the spring were rising the fastest. In 83% of cases, the child or young person was unsupervised at the time of death. Five of the seven deaths of children under one who drowned in the bath were in a bath seat.

David Walker, Head of road and leisure safety at RoSPA  and Executive Lead at the UK National Water Safety Forum, said: “This report is a clear call to action that better support and awareness is needed for families and communities – so that everyone can enjoy and respect the water.

“As we look forward to World Drowning Prevention Day on 25 July, this report provides yet more evidence that all Government departments, led by Cabinet Office, must take a coherent and coordinated approach to drowning prevention across the UK.”

New report shows more than a classroom of children died from accidental drowning in 2022

An event at Westminster last month saw the launch of the inaugural National Drowning Report from the Water Safety All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) authored by the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), and supported by the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF). 

The report highlighted some shocking statistics relating to the number of accidental fatalities in 2022, with a section of the report focusing on child drownings. 

The report showed that in 2022, 35 children died from accidental drowning, the equivalent of more than a classroom of children. Comparing this to the 5-year average, there was a huge 46% increase in the number of accidental fatalities amongst children in 2022.

The report documents that in 2022, 226 people lost their lives to accidental drowning, with 83% of those being male. 

We have already seen a number of people tragically lose their lives to accidental drowning in 2023 and the report looks to provide recommendations for the UK Government to how this can change. 

Lee Heard, Charity Director at RLSS UK, commented “We know that for anyone to drown is a complete tragedy, but when we see the amount of children drowning increasing by 46% we know that things need to change urgently. 

“Within the report, we have worked with various organisations to put forwards a number of key recommendations for the UK Government to enable all young people to have the opportunity to learn about water safety. 

“We want the UK Government to find innovative solutions to better deliver school swimming; mandate that every child has a class-based water safety lesson at each key stage; and to invest in initiatives to address the increase in child drowning fatalities.

“Drowning, for the large part, is highly preventable. Education and supervision in particular reduce the likelihood of an incident turning into a sudden and devastating tragedy.

“We have been asking the question of the UK Government for many years as to why classroom-based water safety is not on the curriculum.

“We recognise that getting all our children in the water is critical but teaching water safety in the classroom removes existing barriers and gives every child an understanding of safety, risk, and the chance to learn how to stay safe in and around the water, no matter their background.”

National-Drowning-Report-UK-2022Download

“This report is a step in the right direction to give MPs and the UK Government the facts and statistics they need to make a change to prevent losing even more children to accidental drowning. We at RLSS UK will work with our partners and the National Water Safety Forum to endeavor to deliver the necessary change.”

The launch of the report coincided with RLSS UK’s annual Drowning Prevention Week campaign where the charity was able to educate over 1.8million children through its free resources to schools and leisure centres. 

To view the report visit the RLSS UK website.

RoSPA: E-bike battery fires are ‘ticking timebomb’

Following news that the fire in Cambridge that killed a mother and her children last Friday was likely caused by an e-bike battery, Nathan Davies, Head of Policy and Portfolio at RoSPA, said: “Fires from unregulated e-powered vehicle batteries are becoming commonplace and we are very concerned that we are sitting on a ticking timebomb of cases.

“It is only a matter of time until we see a battery failure cause a devastating large-scale fire in a block of flats, hotel or public space.

“Unfortunately, e-bike batteries are designed to be charged indoors, and mostly overnight. Critically, this is where the risk to life from a fire is the greatest.

“It doesn’t have to be this way. We have been using certified lithium-ion batteries safely for years, the technology is well understood and these can be manufactured to the correct standards.

“The problem lies in a series of failings in the supply of unregulated units, meaning products with poor construction can be supplied by internationally based sellers on third party platforms. Action needs to be taken to address this situation to prevent future deaths.

“We urge people to only buy from reputable sellers and to purchase electrical items from a known and trusted brand that complies with legislation. If you think your battery is faulty, damaged or you just aren’t sure, then we advise that you dispose of it at a waste centre, not in the bin.”

E-bike likely cause of Cambridge fire that killed mother and children – BBC News

Falls are still major killer in Britain, warns charity this Injury Awareness Week

  • Falls are the second biggest killer of unintential injury deaths, just behind road traffic accidents
  • Falls cost the NHS £2 billion a year but are preventable
  • What can people to do prevent falls? Read on to find out more.

Falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths worldwide but do not have to happen, that’s according to a leading accident prevention charity, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

Falls are the most common cause of death in the over 65s and cost the NHS £2 billion and over four million bed days every year, and 37.2 million falls are severe enough to require medical attention each year.

RoSPA’s Fall Fighters scheme is open to businesses of all shapes and sizes across the UK, from housing associations and manufacturing sites to small offices and more. It helps them keep their clients, communities and colleagues safe by giving them the tools they need to help reduce the risk of falls.

RoSPA’s Fall Fighters scheme builds on the World Health Organisation’s advice, that states prevention strategies should emphasise education, training, creating safer environments, prioritising fall-related research and establishing effective policies to reduce risk.

Karen McDonnell, OHS Policy Advisor at RoSPA, said: “Injury Awareness Week offers the perfect time to reflect on the types of accidents that can be life-limiting and life-changing – and out of all the accidents that come to mind – falls are one of the most urgent issues we face.

“A fall at home or work has the power to strip someone of their independence, their health and their livelihood in a matter of seconds, and we must all play our part in helping our colleagues, friends and loved ones reduce the risk of succumbing to such an accident.”

Karen recommends taking a few simple steps to keep yourself and loved ones safe at home: “Stairs are the most common place for an accident in the home, so always keep them clear of belongings and ensure there is enough space to walk up them. We know that having a handrail on either side of the stairwell can improve stability and significantly reduces the risk of falls, so this is a simple addition that can save lives.

“Another common place for slips, trips and falls is the bathroom, and slippery floors are often to blame. Having anti-slip flooring installed can be vital in keeping you and your loved ones safe, particularly when it comes to elderly relatives.

“It’s particularly easy to miss small objects, cords and electrical cables on the floor so these pose fall hazard too. If you can, always keep them out of walkways and keep them as close to the wall as possible.

“Finally, if you are worried about a relative’s risk of falling, do a risk assessment of their living area and ensure you’re fully up to date with the latest research in fall prevention, head to the RoSPA Falls Hub and get one step ahead.”

Speaking on how to reduce falls in the workplace, Karen said: “The importance of fall reduction in the workplace is vital in keeping employees safe and operations moving – so we call for stringent workplace safety regulations, particularly in high-risk occupations like construction and manufacturing.

“We advocate having physical barriers and guardrails to prevent falls from heights and to use scaffolding if a guardrail is not possible. Appropriate signage, fall arrest systems like body harnesses, self-retracting lanyards and approved anchor points are non-negotiables, as is a proper risk assessment from an internal health and safety team or external supplier like RoSPA.”

To find out more about falls, please visit RoSPA’s Falls Prevention Hub, or sign up to be a Fall Fighter in your workplace for free here.

Stay safe around water and on the road this bank holiday weekend, RoSPA warns

With the UK set for scorching sunshine this upcoming bank holiday and people heading off for the long weekend, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has warned people to stay safe around water and on the road.

The reminder comes as three young people have died this week in the UK’s canals and multiple road collisions have taken place on its roads.

Keeping safe around water

Carlene McAvoy, Leisure Safety Manager at The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), said: “While the riverside may seem like a natural beauty spot, we do unfortunately see around 70 people a year drown in UK rivers. What’s more, data shows us that almost half of people who drown in the UK have no intention of being in the water at all.

“Open waters pose a risk all year round, though in winter we see more slippery riverbanks, icier paths and freezing cold waters which are often less than 15 degrees. And with that, comes the risk of cold water shock. 

“Cold water shock is often a precursor to drowning and causes the blood vessels in the skin to close. This then increases blood pressure and makes the heart work much harder and can overpower even the strongest of swimmers.

“The cold water can also cause an involuntary gasp for breath and cause your breathing rate to increase dramatically. In this scenario, the chances of inhaling water into the lungs increases – and sadly, even a small amount of water is enough to take an adult’s life.”

Staying safe on the road

Rebecca Guy, Road Safety Manager at RoSPA, said: “Bank holiday weekends are a fantastic opportunity for people to catch up with their loved ones and enjoy some time away from home. But for some families, this turns into tragedy on our roads.

“Ahead of the bank holiday weekend, we urge all drivers to make a few basic vehicle checks that could end up saving their life, and to take an ample supply of food and drink should they get stuck on the motorway for a long time.”

“We advise people do a ‘POWDER check’ before they set off, which includes petrol or other fuel, oil, water, damage, electrics, and rubber (tyres). 

Fuel

Before setting out, check your fuel or charge levels and make sure you have enough to get to your destination.

Engine oil

Use your dipstick to check oil regularly and before any long journey, and top up if needed. Take your car back to the garage if you’re topping up more than usual.

Water or screenwash

To ensure you have good visibility, always keep your screen wash topped up so you can clear debris or dirt off your windscreen. Check all fluid levels, including coolant.

Vehicle damage

Look out for any damage to your vehicle such as broken mirrors.

Electrics including lights

If your indicators, hazard lights, headlights, fog lights, reverse lights or brake lights are not functioning properly, you are putting yourself and your family at risk. In addition, light malfunctions can be a reason for your vehicle to fail its MOT. If a bulb has failed, change it at the first opportunity.

Rubber/tyres

Before setting off on a long journey, check your tyre pressures are suitable for the load and the condition of your tyres, including the spare.

Look out for cuts or wear and make sure that you change your tyres at 3mm because while tyres should have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm, which is the legal limit., changing them ahead of that point is always good practice. Tyres under 3mm of tread will not perform as well in the wet.

Finally, before every journey, ensure that you are fit to drive. Make sure that you are well-rested, are feeling calm and are well. If you are taking any medication, read the leaflet and if you experience any side effects that could affect your ability to drive safely.

Earlier this week Karen McDonnell, Head of RoSPA Scotland, commented on the latest release of provisional road casualty statistics: 

“RoSPA recognise that the Key Reported Road Casualties Scotland 2022 present total casualty figures that are the third lowest since records began, indeed since 2000, the number of people killed on Scotland’s roads had decreased by 47%. However, there are 33 more families and communities with empty seats at their tables here in 2022.

“Whilst in compared to 2021, pedal cyclist casualties fell by 7%, pedestrian casualties increased by 17%, car casualties increased by 9% and motorcyclists by 2%.

“Scotland’s roads are a shared space, road users with greater power have greater responsibility, people walking, people cycling and people on motorcycles are vulnerable.

“Through the Scottish Occupational Road Safety Alliance, RoSPA will continue to be part of the National Conversation about Road Safety from a Driving and Riding for work perspective.

“Encouraging over 600 member organisations and their drivers and riders to take ownership of road safety and manage driving risk as they would any other risk to their organisation towards the vision of Scotland having the best road safety performance in the world by 2030.”

Drowning and Incident Review becomes available across Scotland

An innovative system has launched this week to reduce accidental drowning deaths by analysing the circumstances around past water-related fatalities, in what has been hailed one of the world’s first.

The Drowning and Incident Review (DIR) has been created by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), in partnership with Water Safety Scotland (WSS). It aims to reduce accidental drowning deaths by 50 per cent by 2026 and lessen the risk among the highest risk populations, groups and communities.

Until now, the circumstances in many water-related fatalities have been unknown and the risk factors are unclear. On average, 96 people lose their lives due to a water-related fatality each year in Scotland.

The principal aim of the DIR is to gather all relevant data and information in order to systematically review each accidental water-related incident with a view to prevent a future occurrence.  The review has been piloted extensively and evaluated with a recent publication in BMJ Injury Prevention.

The benefits of DIR are anticipated at both local and national level in Scotland. It will provide insight into water-based risks by local area, ensuring that those best placed to mitigate these risks are involved in the process and kept informed. Nationally, the enhanced data capture is anticipated to lead to the development of better-informed national strategies to tackle the issue of drowning prevention.

Carlene McAvoy, Leisure Safety Manager of RoSPA and founder and secretariat of Water Safety Scotland said: “DIR has been specifically created for Scotland and is one of the first of its type in the world.  

“It will be used as an important tool in Scotland to enable learning from incidents and mitigate the risk of future incidents. This supports the overarching aim of Scotland’s Drowning Prevention Strategy, to reduce accidental drownings by 50 per cent by 2026.”

James Sullivan, Station Commander at SFRS and chair of Water Safety Scotland, added: “DIR provides a clear and consistent format for partners to review water related incidents and gain an understanding of contributory factors. 

“This enhanced knowledge will enable a focussed approach to be taken on preventative measures both locally and nationally throughout Scotland”.

DIR is endorsed by lead Search & Rescue Partners; Scottish Fire & Rescue Service (SFRS), Police Scotland (PS), His Majesty’s Coastguard (HMCG), and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) as well as key partners in Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) and Public Health Scotland (PHS).

The DIR process goes live this week and can be used via Water Safety Scotland for any accidental related fatality.

World Sleep Day 2023: Driving Advice from RoSPA

  • World Sleep Day 2023 – 17th March
  • The gig economy: take tiredness seriously to save your life, RoSPA warns

As the UK gig economy shows no signs of slowing, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has issued a warning to Scottish businesses and workers about driving when tired.

In the gig economy, instead of a regular wage, workers get paid for the ‘gigs’ they do, such as food delivery or a car journey. In the UK, it’s estimated that over five million people are employed in this type of capacity.

Drivers and couriers who get their work from apps face a ‘heightened risk’ of collisions, with almost half (42 per cent) of drivers reporting vehicle damage because of a collision, according to research from University College London.

Tiredness from overwork was flagged as a key risk for those delivering food and parcels, while 63 per cent reported to have not been given the appropriate safety training on managing risks on the road.

One in 10 reported someone had been injured in a crash while they had been working, with scores more reporting time pressure as a key factor in their driving.[1] 

Karen McDonnell, Head of RoSPA Scotland, said: “With the cost of living crisis continuing to bite, it’s easy to see how those in the gig economy could be overworked and tired. We know that being tired is a huge risk factor when driving, and so it’s easy to see how the roads could get more dangerous.

“While it can be easy to say someone should cut down their hours, it’s not always as simple as that. Responsibility lies largely with the companies employing gig workers, who often have unrealistic targets and are expected to go above and beyond to deliver.”

What to do if you feel tired when driving or riding

  • When you first start to feel tired, stop and take a break
  • Stop in a safe place – make sure you’re not on a motorway hard shoulder
  • If you can, drink some coffee or another caffeinated drink
  • Take a short nap, ensuring your car is in a secure location.

What to do if you’re driving for a long distance

Even experienced HGV drivers are stopped from driving more than nine hours a day. Many drivers are not used to driving anywhere near this long, so always bear in mind:

  • Don’t drive for more than eight hours in a day
  • Take regular breaks, aiming to stop every two hours or so
  • On very long journeys, try and plan overnight breaks if you can
  • Don’t begin a long journey if you are feeling tired.

Free sleep courses for Scotland businesses

Lack of sleep doesn’t just affect driving, but overall productivity, too. And with tiredness to blame for 200,000 working days a year in Scotland, The Scottish Occupational Road Safety Alliance (ScORSA) is on a mission to change the way we think about and manage being tired. 

That’s why it is holding a limited series of free virtual courses for Scottish businesses relating to tiredness in the workplace and productivity on the 19 April and the 24 May. To book, businesses should visit ScORSA’s website and join for free here.

RoSPA delivers the ScORSA project  funded by Transport Scotland , as part of Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2030.

Save our seatbelts from the sunset clause, says RoSPA

  • Today marks the 40th anniversary of the mandatory seatbelt law which was spearheaded by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)
  • Research shows that a quarter of people in vehicles who died in road accidents in 2021 were not wearing a seatbelt
  • The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill 2022 threatens vital lifesaving legislation and looks to sunset them before December 31 this year.

On the fortieth anniversary of mandatory seatbelt usage, a leading accident prevention charity has issued a rally cry to Government to save seatbelt laws from being lost or watered down as part of the the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill 2022.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), that spearheaded the campaign for mandatory seatbelt use over forty years ago, warns that thousands of lives are at risk if the Bill goes ahead.

The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill 2022 will see thousands of laws sunset by the end of this year, including lifesaving seatbelt legislation. Although seatbelt usage features in the Road Safety Act, the Bill is set to make critical information on who, where and when people should wear seatbelts unclear.

Statistics show that almost a quarter of people in a vehicle killed in a road collision in 2021 were not wearing a seatbelt. While the number of people killed on Britain’s roads has plateaued, the proportion of car occupants killed while not wearing a seatbelt has spiked sharply, reaching the highest level since records began.

Seatbelts made the news last month when Rishi Sunak was caught on video travelling in a moving vehicle while not wearing a seatbelt and was subsequently issued a fixed penalty notice.

Nathan Davies, Head of Policy at RoSPA, said: “Wearing a seatbelt is not just ‘common sense’. Making seatbelts a legal requirement changed behaviour, and drove up usage by 55 per cent almost immediately.

“But recent Department for Transport data shows us that compliance is the lowest it has ever been since the law was introduced, and that means that people still need laws which reinforce the importance for them and the other occupants of vehicles. By removing seatbelt laws, we expect usage to fall, and fatalities will then inevitably increase.

“Throwing vital seatbelt laws in the air at a time they are most needed will set the stage for thousands of the public being killed and injured on the road, leaving behind loved ones, friends and family. We must not throw away the progress made over last 40 years of mandatory seatbelt usage and urge the Government to tackle these vital laws with the time, respect and attention they deserve.”

The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill 2022 will have a second reading in the Lords on the 6 February.

RoSPA urges caution during cold snap

Drive with caution to protect your life and loved ones, says leading accident prevention charity the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents

  • The UK is bracing itself for a gust of wintery weather that could lead to spike in fatal accidents
  • Drive safely to prevent accidents and save lives, says RoSPA – here’s how.

Motorists across the country are urged to drive with caution to avoid accidents as a gust of wintery conditions is set to hit the area at the start of next week. A Met office yellow warning is in place for many parts of the UK, as we expect to see sleet, rain and snow.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), that has worked for more than 100 years to help people recognise and reduce their risk of accidents, at home, on the road, at work and in leisure, say that poor visibility, water-logged roads and slippery snow can all heighten the risk of a tragic car crash.

Advising on how to keep safe during the upcoming wintery snap, RoSPA says at this time of year, adapting our driving style is key.

Becky Guy, Road Safety Manager at RoSPA, said: “Adverse weather conditions and longer, darker evenings make winter a particularly hazardous time to drive, and as we expect to see next week, short bursts of extreme weather are not uncommon here in the UK. 

“These wintry conditions can decrease visibility, increase stopping distances and the risk of skidding, which can all increase the risk of being involved in a crash. If you can, avoid driving in such weather, and if you are expected to drive for work, do ask your employer about whether it has a winter driving policy.

“Things to check before you set off include that all of your lights are working and clean, your tyres are inflated correctly and have at least 3mm of tread, you have enough fuel or charge in the car for unforeseen events and a way of contacting someone in an emergency. Finally, if in doubt and you are able to, postpone your trip until conditions improve.”

Keeping safe in sleet, hail and snow

To help keep drivers safe, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has shared its top winter driving tips to help keep drivers and riders safe.

Before your journey

  • Plan your journey, checking the traffic news and allowing extra time
  • If it has been snowing, be sure to remove snow from the top of your car so that it does not slide down and obstruct your view when driving
  • Check fuel or charge levels before you set off to allow for unexpected delays
  • If you drive an automatic car, check the handbook to see if there’s a winter driving mode setting
  • Assess whether your journey is essential, and speak to your employer about whether they have a winter driving policy

Driving on winter roads

  • Pull off in second gear, going gently on the clutch to avoid wheel-spin
  • Leave plenty of room between you and other road users, applying your brakes gradually and in good time
  • When driving uphill, check the road is clear and try to avoid stopping part way up to prevent you from rolling backwards
  • When driving downhill, keep it slow and use a low gear
  • Remember that braking distance can increase up to double in wet weather and by 10 times in icy weather

Avoid life-saving laws falling over a cliff edge, says RoSPA

RoSPA: Government must extend 2023 deadline for EU Law repeal to avoid life-saving laws falling over a cliff edge

  • The debate on the Retained EU Law Bill and trading standards featured at The Commons on Thursday
  • RoSPA calls to keep people safe from accidents and injury by ensuring there’s enough time to conduct a thorough review and consultation process to maintain the UK’s position as a beacon of safety
  • – Bill provides an ‘opportunity’ to pave the way for more effective legislation and regulations by assessing each law individually, over a greater time period – according to RoSPA

With Thursday’s adjournment debate on the Retained EU Law Bill and trading standards set to rage on, the Royal Society of the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has reiterated its calls for a delay to the proposed implementation of the Bill at the end of this year.

Under the Bill, the Government is committed to repealing or replacing over 4,000 pieces of law taken from the UK’s previous membership of the bloc by December 2023, including compulsory seatbelt usage, workplace safety legislation, toy safety regulations, the working time directive and more.

A growing list of organisations, politicians and peers have expressed concern over rushing through the Bill, saying there is not enough time to thoroughly assess, adapt or improve each law, and if essential laws are repealed on mass this year, without proper review and consultation, many lives will be lost as a result.

Errol Taylor, Chief Executive of RoSPA, says that if managed correctly, this Bill could offer an opportunity to arrive at a successful destination, but that cannot happen if the Government sticks by its current 2023 deadline, which represents a cliff edge over which will fall essential life-saving legislation.

“At RoSPA, we’re proud to say we’re world leaders in the safety field and work with UK Government to prevent accidents and the unnecessary loss of life. Consequently, the headlong rush to abolish regulations is alarming.

“While we agree that the revision and sanitation of standards could be a positive step, we need to ensure we do this sensibly and in consultation. The Bill offers a huge opportunity for health and safety professionals to lead the way in protecting and enhancing people’s lives, and we want to be at the forefront of that.

“Ultimately, the importance lies in the preservation of the aim and intention of legislation, whether that’s protecting children, drivers or the elderly – not in how we get there.”

Some of the key laws set to be abolished, include:

  • The 2011 Toys (Safety) Regulations – dictating how toys are marketed, to make clear if they might be choking hazards, contain toxic chemicals, or if there is a danger that parts may come loose
  • The 1993 Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts By Children in Front Seats) Regulations – setting out limited exceptions
  • The 2015 Construction (Design and Management) Regulations – to ensure proper oversight of building projects to mitigate “the risks involved”, ensure firms employ “the right people for the right job” and communicate dangers “effectively”
  • The 2012 Control of Asbestos Regulations – requiring all building owners to maintain accurate registers of where there is dangerous asbestos to avoid accidental exposure
  • 2011 legislation “on the provision of food information to consumers” – which sets out “requirements for food and drink labelling”, to alert shoppers to potentially deadly allergens
  • The 1999 Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations – specifying what actions an employer must take.

Sir Jonathan Jones, the former head of the Government Legal Department, said leaving a needlessly short space of time to review such a large amount of legislation, was a ‘terrible way to make law.’ [1] 

This has been echoed by Chris Fox, the Liberal Democrat business spokesperson in the Lords[JA1] [JB2] [JB3] , as well as leading industry bodies like the Trades Union Congress (TUC), the Institute of Directors (IoD) and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, who say that the Bill will hinder economic growth2.