Jersey Council for Safety and Health at Work: appointment of Chair

STATES OF JERSEY

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

Presented to the States on 7th July 2025 by the Minister for Social Security

STATES GREFFE

2025  R.109

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 Chair of the Jersey Council for Safety and Health at Work' (the Council).

The term of office of the current Chair, Dr Stephen Taylor , expires at the end of June 2025. Following an appointment process carried out in accordance with the Jersey  Appointments  Commission  recruitment  guidelines,  the  Minister  has recommended the appointment of Mr John Gavey to serve as Chair of the Council for a period of three years, subject to the approval of the States.

The Minister therefore puts forward Mr Gavey's name for consideration by the States for appointment as Chair of the Jersey Council for Safety and Health at Work, for a three-year period commencing on 2 July 2025.

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 Chair 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 Chair and members all serving in an honorary capacity.

The procedure for appointment of the Chair 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 their 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;

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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;
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 Chair to be 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 Public Notice section of the Jersey Evening Post, and on the Health and Safety Inspectorate website. A single application for the position of Chair was received.

Mr John Gavey

Mr Gavey was appointed to serve as a member of the Council on 16 October 2023. He had assisted Council as a non-voting member since 2020. During the time he has served on Council Mr Gavey has shown consistent enthusiasm and commitment

R.109/2025

in seeking improvements in the arrangements for health and safety at work and has played a very active part in supporting the existing Chair and other members in promoting and driving forwards projects and initiatives undertaken by the Council. This  includes  leading  the  development  of  a  Future  health  &  safety  legacy' programme for the Council to fund a programme for an individual to receive mentorship and funding towards a health & safety qualification and the preparation of articles across social media to raise awareness of the benefits of managing occupational health and safety.

Mr Gavey is a Government of Jersey health & safety manager, leading a team of six delivering training, policy development and operational safety in the health & community care sector. He is the Chair of the Jersey Occupational Safety & Health Association (JOSHA) and a Chartered Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).

Financial and staffing implications

The Chair 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 Mr John Gavey as Chair to the Jersey Council for Safety and Health at Work will be confirmed on the 2 July 2025 for a period of three years.