Lord Young last week published his report on reforming health and safety law, and tackling the increasing "no win, no fee" claims culture, which has now become endemic in our society. The HSE has welcomed the report.

Judith Hackitt, the HSE Chair, said:

"Lord Young's report is an important milestone on the road to recovery for the reputation of real health and safety. HSE welcomes it and will be actively pursuing those recommendations within our remit.

"We welcomed the review when it was announced by the Prime Minister in June and we are looking forward to contributing to its implementation.

"Publication of the report is a tremendous opportunity to refocus health and safety on what it is really about - managing workplace risks. Getting this right is good for employers, employees and Britain as a whole.

"We've been saying for some time that health and safety is being used by too many people as a convenient excuse to hide behind. Often it is invoked to disguise somebody's motives - concerns over costs or complexity, an unwillingness to defend an unpopular decision or simple laziness. Lord Young is sweeping these excuses away.

"HSE will continue to champion a sensible and proportionate approach to dealing with serious risks in the workplace - not eliminating every minor risk from everyday life."

To read the full report visit www.hse.gov.uk

http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2010/hse-lordyoungreport.htm