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

STATES OF JERSEY

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

Presented to the States on 27th June 2022 by the Minister for Social Security

STATES GREFFE

2022  R.94

REPORT

SUMMARY

In accordance with the decision made by the States, on 2 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 nominates the Chairman of the Jersey Council for Safety and Health at Work' (the Council).

The term of office of the current Chairman Dr Stephen Taylor , expires at the end of June 2022. Following an appointment process carried out in accordance with the Jersey Appointments  Commission  Recruitment  guidelines',  he  has  agreed  to  serve  as Chairman of the Council for a further period of three years, subject to the approval of the States.

The Minister therefore puts forward Dr Taylor 's name for consideration by the States for re-appointment as Chairman of the Jersey Council for Safety and Health at Work, for a three-year period.

BACKGROUND

The Jersey Council for Safety and Health at Work

The Council 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 four 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, with the Chairman and members all serving in an honorary capacity.

The procedure for appointment of the Chairman was revised as a result of P.205/2009, requiring the Minister for Social Security to present a report to the States providing details of the 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. to 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

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3. to provide opportunities for informed comment on any matters connected with occupation safety and health
4. to 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, the 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, which includes 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, with their role 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

The appointment was made in accordance with the principals and practices set out in the  Guidelines  for  the  recruitment  of  Senior  States  Employees,  appointees  and members of independent bodies' published by the Jersey Appointments Commission.

Applications for the position were invited from interested parties through the post being advertised in the Jersey Evening Post. Only one application for the position of Chairman was received. This was from the existing Chairman, Dr Stephen Taylor who, with agreement with the Appointments Commission, is eligible to serve two more terms of office.

Dr Stephen Taylor

Dr Taylor was first appointed to serve as a member of the Council on 1 August 2017. He was appointed to the role of Chairman on the 1 July 2019. Throughout the time he has served on Council Dr Taylor has shown a continued enthusiasm and commitment in seeking improvements in the arrangements for health and safety at work.

Since taking over the role of Chairman, has shown strong leadership and commitment to the aims of the Council. Amongst many achievements over the past 3 years, he has been instrumental in leading the development of a major behavioural safety leadership programme within the construction sector, developed a new advanced health and safety awareness online course for construction, relaunched the Jersey Occupational Safety and Health Association and increased visibility and awareness of the Council through the launch of new social media accounts.

R.94/2022

Financial and manpower implications

The Chairman of the Council serves in an honorary capacity and this appointment therefore has no implications for the financial or manpower resources of the States.

Appointment

The appointment of Dr Taylor , as Chairman to the Jersey Council for Safety and Health at Work will be confirmed on the 01 July 2022 for a period of three years.