The Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSENI) and the Institute of Directors Northern Ireland Division (IoD) joined forces to launch new guidance 'Leading health and safety at work' which was written by Directors for Directors.

Directors have taken the initiative in drawing up their own practical, common sense health and safety guidelines. These will remind Directors across organisations of all sizes that it is their responsibility to lead on health and safety and establish policies and practices that make it an integral part of their culture and values.

Chairman of HSENI, Professor Peter McKie welcomed the guidance, saying: "It is visible felt leadership from the top of an organisation which truly makes for an effective health and safety culture which in turn delivers good health and safety performance and much more.

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"I am still confounded by the number of people who see 'health and safety' as a barrier to do things, as experience and evidence shows that the reverse is true. The challenge before us is changing behaviour. This guidance makes it clear what directors need to do but ultimately it will be their action and delivery which will really count."

Echoing the comments of Professor McKie, Frank Bryan, Chairman of the Institute of Directors Northern Ireland Division, said: "Experience has shown that behaviour in a company changes when the example is set by those at the top. The Institute believes that Directors and other senior executives have to address the issues around health and safety, not just because of their duty to their employees, but also because it makes sound business sense.

"The new guidance will help business leaders to integrate health and safety into their business decisions rather than, as too often is the case, simply pay lip service."

(JM)