A review of legislation that may impact on those with environmental health jobs, as well as others in the safety industry, has received a welcome from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH).
After assuming power following the general election earlier this year, the new Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition revealed Lord Young will head an investigation into safety laws and the rise of compensation culture.
The CIEH said it shares the new administration's concerns over the rise of excessive risk aversion.
However, on a cautionary note, it added that if the protection of people's wellbeing is trivialised, this could have an adverse impact on occupational health and safety standards.
Principal policy officer at the organisation Andrew Griffiths remarked: "Fear of litigation is a legitimate and necessary factor in protecting individuals from potential harm but the pendulum has swung too far."
The CIEH has produced an 11-page response to the government's review.
Posted by Francesca Critchlow
