Capacity and management

Capacity

EAs shall have the managerial, operational, administrative and political resources, both staff and infrastructure, to contribute to improving health and safety outcomes. The capacity required is dependent on a variety of factors that includes industry type, staff competence and the range and type of interventions undertaken.

EAs shall assess whether there is sufficient capacity within the EA to undertake their statutory duties. 

Every EA shall have sufficient capacity to:

• make adequate arrangements for enforcement in accordance with their enforcement policy
• develop, deliver and monitor their planned interventions
• enable effective working between HSE and LAs and with other regulators and stakeholders.

EAs shall seek opportunities to enhance their capacity e.g.  

• working across geographical areas (e.g. delivering County wide services)
• delivery of common services (e.g. accident investigations)
• utilisation of  resources,  systems  and expertise from other organisations to provide services (e.g. delivery of publicity material or use of another regulator’s inspectorate )
• adopting best practice

Management Infrastructure

Every EA shall have an effective management infrastructure in place for developing, delivering, monitoring and reviewing their interventions.

This will include:-

• management reporting arrangements
• systems of control from  management to operational and administrative staff
• routes for communication throughout the organisation and between operational & administrative staff and with policy & decision makers
• definitions of work roles and responsibilities for delivering effective services
• arrangements to support, supervise and coach staff  to retain and develop their experience & competence

Performance Management

Every EA shall have systems in place to measure, evaluate and report its performance in achieving its planned interventions, policies, targets and outcomes.

These systems shall include:- 

• regular review of activity by managers and policy makers on progress and performance against work plans,  performance indicators, milestones and targets.
• published standards for service and performance
• regular reporting of the EAs performance

Information Systems

EAs shall have systems that enable them to:

• monitor and review progress towards local, regional and national policies, priorities, targets and plans
• monitor their activity including  type of interventions, complaints, enforcement and other  performance indicators
• inform policy and direct operational activity
• collate and analyse current  data
• secure the benefits from the compatibility of data collection and data management systems
• manage and record information for regular statistical returns
• interface and upload information with the HELA Extranet
• share data with other organisations and within their own organisation to minimise information requests to businesses
• involve businesses in vetting data requirements and form design
• record accurate information about premises including assessments of the hazard and risk of the activities taking place in order to support the prioritisation of interventions

Toolkit

to be available by September 2009.