'Real health and safety must be separated from the nonsense'

People must make a distinction between effective health and safety measures and "the nonsense", a leading member of a watchdog says.

Talking to the National Safety Symposium, the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) chair Judith Hackitt claims regulations help make people's jobs easier.

After the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 was implemented, performance has improved by nearly three-quarters, she said.

Ms Hackitt called for a return to the fundamental principle of the act which she described as "those who are responsible for creating risk are in the best position to minimise it".

She states the current system can only work as a partnership and this relationship must be developed if things are to continue to improve.

The HSE announces it is planning an optimisation of the health and safety framework and will be holding consultations during December to allow input on the strategy.

Covered at the symposium are topics such as corporate manslaughter and directors' responsibilities.

It is being organised by the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.