HSE appoints new chief inspector of construction
Major hazards expert Peter Baker to take over from Philip White at the beginning of April 2015
THE Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has appointed its new chief inspector of construction. Peter Baker, who is currently head of HSE’s Chemicals, Explosives and Microbiological Hazards Division, will replace Philip White on 1 April 2015.
Mr Baker (pictured) said: ‘I am delighted to be appointed as the chief inspector of construction, and I am very much looking forward to working collaboratively with the whole of the construction industry to continue the progress it has made in reducing ill health and injury in recent years.
‘In particular, I want to ensure the industry responds in a sensible and proportionate manner to the revised CDM Regulations. All changes bring challenges, and I want the industry to work together in focusing on the real health and safety risks to workers’ lives.
‘I believe that industry leaders also have a critical role to play, and have seen in the major hazard sectors how vital clear and positive leadership is to achieving the effective management and control of risks.’
Philip White: I’m very pleased to be handing over to Peter whose extensive experience of managing high-hazard industries for the HSE stands him in excellent stead to provide leadership for an industry which, despite its vast improvements, still has a lot to do.’
Mr White, who has been acting interim chief inspector of construction since Heather Bryant left the HSE in September 2014, will continue in his role as head of the HSE’s Operational Strategy Division.
