Jersey Council for Safety and Health at Work: appointment of Chairman.

STATES OF JERSEY

JERSEY COUNCIL FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK: APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN

Presented to the States on 23rd May 2013 by the Minister for Social Security

STATES GREFFE

2013   Price code: B  R.47

REPORT

In accordance with the decision of the States made on 2nd February 2010 in support of the  Proposition  made  by  the  Privileges  and  Procedures  Committee,  P.205/2009 Appointments  made  by  the  States:  revised  procedures',  the  Minister  for  Social Security  hereby  notifies  the  States  of  his  intention  to  appoint  Mr. Paul  Leighton Richardson to the position of Chairman of the Jersey Council for Safety and Health at Work for a period of 3 years with effect from 1st July 2013.

Jersey Council for Safety and Health at Work

The Jersey Council for Safety and Health at Work was established by the States in 1973 as an independent body to promote health and safety at work.

The constitution of the Council was amended in 1991 to provide for a Chairman to be appointed by the States, and 4 members, appointed by the Social Security Committee, (a task now undertaken by the Minister for Social Security), all of whom have been recognised as having an interest in health and safety at work. The Council is assisted by a part-time secretary, the only paid employee of the Council, the Chairman and members serving in an honorary capacity.

The  procedure  for  appointment  of  the  Chairman  has  been  revised  as  a  result  of P.205/2009, requiring the Minister for Social Security to present a report to the States providing details of his nominee, together with a brief description of the duties of the position and the selection process.

The Council's terms of reference, as set out in the proposition agreed by the States in 1991, is "to take all necessary steps to promote the safety and health of workers and others affected by work activities" with its objectives, which are also noted in the proposition, to –

1. identify and examine problem areas in matters covered by their terms of reference,  and  to provide  educational  and  training  facilities  where  these measures appear to be needed in these areas;
2. promote interest in general occupational accident prevention in Jersey and to foster and develop the spirit of co-operation between employer and employee as regards safety and health at work;
3. provide opportunities for informed comment on any matters connected with occupational safety and health;
4. afford facilities for the pooling and dissemination of knowledge, for the study of the appropriate statutory requirements, for the reading of papers and the promotion of lectures and discussion and for such other activities as may tend to further the general objectives of the Council.

In accordance with the terms of reference and objectives, Council is involved with raising the profile of health and safety at work by carrying out awareness campaigns and  other  promotional  activities,  arranging  seminars,  engaging  with  industry representatives  to  promote  initiatives  aimed  at  improving  health  and  safety performance  and  organising  training  courses  which  are  not  provided  by  trainers

currently working in the Island. The Council also provides a source of information through its website, including a directory of local training providers and details of current campaigns.

The constitution of the Council requires the Chairman to be widely respected in the Island and not a substantial employer themselves, their role being to lead and direct the Council members to achieve the aims and objectives of the Council.

The Council receives an annual grant to carry out its work and is required to submit an annual report and audited accounts to the States.

Appointment process

Under  the  terms  of  the  Jersey  Appointments  Commission  Code  of  Practice  for Appointments to Autonomous and Quasi-Autonomous Public Bodies and Tribunals, the Council is considered to be a Lower Tier body. The appointment process for the Chairman  has  therefore  been  carried  out  in  accordance  with  the  principles  and practices set out in the Code of Practice.

Mr. Paul Leighton Richardson

Only one application for the position of Chairman was received. This was from the existing Chairman, Mr. Paul Leighton Richardson who, under the terms of the Code of Practice, is eligible to serve a further term of office.

Mr. Richardson was first appointed to serve as a member of the Council on 1st July 2008, and subsequently appointed to the role of Chairman on 1st July 2010. During the time he has served on the Council, Mr. Richardson has shown an enthusiasm and commitment in seeking improvements in the arrangements for health and safety at work and, since taking over the role of Chairman, has shown strong leadership and commitment to the aims of the Council.

Mr. Richardson  is  currently  employed  as  the  Managing  Director  of  Building Renovations  Limited.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  British  Institute  of  Facilities Management, a BREEAM Commercial Energy Assessor, Member of the Institute of Directors, Trustee of Centre Point Trust and a member of the Sustainable Business Forum of the Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Richardson's Curriculum Vitae is included as the Appendix to this report.

In view of Mr. Richardson's experience and commitment to health and safety at work, it is considered that he is a suitable candidate to be appointed to the position of Chairman of the Council.

The appointment is an honorary position and therefore has no implications for the financial or manpower resources of the States.

Appointment

The appointment of Mr. Richardson as Chairman to the Jersey Council for Safety and Health at Work will be confirmed on 1st July 2013 for a period of 3 years.

APPENDIX

CURRICULUM VITAE Mr. Paul L. Richardson