An Exploratory Study of Beryllium and UK Soft Touch Regulation: An Enduring Example of Weaknesses of UK Occupational Health and Safety Governance.
UK health
beryllium toxicity
better regulation
safety regulation
Journal
International journal of environmental research and public health
ISSN: 1660-4601
Titre abrégé: Int J Environ Res Public Health
Pays: Switzerland
ID NLM: 101238455
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
06 10 2022
06 10 2022
Historique:
received:
09
09
2022
revised:
02
10
2022
accepted:
03
10
2022
entrez:
14
10
2022
pubmed:
15
10
2022
medline:
18
10
2022
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Smart regulation, better regulation, responsive regulation, business-friendly regulation and voluntary 'self-regulation' have their origins deeply embedded in UK policies in the 20th century. Their aim generally is to reduce workplace regulatory obligations on employers. This can overtly or covertly undermine efforts to improve working conditions. In the UK, the historical control and regulation of beryllium (a toxic metal used in industry) illustrates this problem, and as we illustrate through an exploratory analysis of original archival material and official publications. Soft touch regulation of the metal beryllium was developed within the UK semiconductor industry when tighter controls were proposed in the 1960s and 1970s. Historical industry, government and science responses to health and safety information about beryllium provide important lessons for current debates on occupational health and safety.
Identifiants
pubmed: 36232071
pii: ijerph191912771
doi: 10.3390/ijerph191912771
pmc: PMC9564749
pii:
doi:
Substances chimiques
Beryllium
OW5102UV6N
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
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