Heather Bryant promises to focus on 鈥榙ealing with real risks鈥 not paperwork

The Health and Safety Executive has appointed a new chief inspector for construction.

Heather Bryant, who is currently the inspectorate鈥檚 divisional director for London, the East and the South East, will take up the post at the end of March.

Bryant said construction was one of the UK鈥檚 鈥渕ost important industries鈥 and she would seek to ensure the HSE鈥檚 regulations focused on 鈥渄ealing with real risks鈥 not 鈥渘eedless process and paperwork.

She said: 鈥淎ll of those people [working in construction] have a basic right to return home safe and well from their day鈥檚 work.

鈥淭o its credit, the sector has already been making good progress in reducing the number of people killed, injured or made unwell by its activities. We must continue that momentum, working with others to be part of the solution.鈥

She will head up a division of 260 specialist inspector, policy official and support staff.