A PROPOSAL for a separate authority to be created to enforce health and safety law has gone out to public consultation.

Protecting the health and safety of people at work - and members of the public affected by work activities - became a key responsibility of the Department of Infrastructure following the restructuring of Government in April 2010.

Compliance with health and safety at work legislation is currently overseen by the Health and Safety at Work Inspectorate within the department.  

The Council of Ministers' proposal would see the creation of a Health and Safety Authority which would separate responsibility for enforcing policy from responsibility for developing policy - the latter would remain with the Department of Infrastructure.

The consultation sets out the proposals concerning the framework, remit and powers of a Health and Safety Authority.

It looks at developing feedback from parties affected by the legislation through the establishment of a Health and Safety Consultative Committee made up of key Island stakeholders and considers the process for appeals against notices issued by Health and Safety Inspectors.

There would be no increase in the number of officers within the Health and Safety at Work Inspectorate as part of the proposals.

Existing staff and financial resources would transfer to the new authority which would be governed by a small board consisting of non-political members who would receive payment for expenses and attendance at meetings in line with similar bodies.

Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne MHK said: "Isle of Man Government is the largest employer in the Isle of Man and is subject to health and safety inspection and enforcement in the same way as any other employer.

"It is therefore appropriate that there should be a degree of separation between the inspectorate which enforces health and safety and the department as part of government."

The deadline for responses is 5pm on May 13.

Following the consultation the department will publish a summary of the matters raised and - having giving consideration to the responses made - will issue a draft order for the approval of Tynwald. 

To obtain a copy of the consultation document email Rachel.Bevan@gov.im or write to her at the Department of Infrastructure, Sea Terminal Building, Douglas, IM1 2RF.

Alternatively the document can be viewed on the government website.