18 June 2003

Designated directors responsible for health

The Company Directors? (Health and Safety) Bill ? which will put the requirements of the HSC?s guidance directors? responsibility for health and safety, issued in July 2001 on the statute books ? has been agreed and passed for Second Reading by the Commons.In addition to imposing general health and safety duties on directors the Bill also requires companies to designate a specific director to be responsible for health and safety. This director would have particular responsibilities, such as monitoring health and safety, and ensuring that the company has the right systems in place to ensure that monitoring is able to be carried out. The Bill is scheduled to be read a second time on 13 June 2003.