Speaking to letsrecycle.com on Wednesday (April 1) he explained that he would be moving within the HSE to become its principal inspector for construction in Wales, with the current holder of that post – Chantal Nicholls – moving in the opposite direction to take over at the helm of the government agency's waste section.
“We have got health and safety onto the agenda of the industry and the industry has started to see a decrease in the accident rate when the industry is at a time when employment numbers are growing but there is still a long way to go,” he said.
Mr Harvey said that his job had involved “sitting between the industry and the inspection force” and that he worked with the industry to build new standards in health and safety and also with the inspection forces to improve understanding.
During his tenure, Mr Harvey had worked closely with the Waste Industry and Safety Health (WISH) Forum, which involves waste management companies in promoting health and safety in the sector.
The forum's chairman, Chris Jones, who is also director of risk management and compliance at waste management firm Cory Environmental, told letsrecycle.com: “Paul Harvey played a key role in the establishment of the Waste Industry Safety and Health Forum (WISH) and has been instrumental in putting health safety and welfare issues at the top of the agenda for the waste industry and its stakeholders.
“The mixture of enthusiasm, resolve and pragmatism that he has shown in bringing together the diverse interests of those involved will be a hard act to follow. And, I'm sure the other members of the industry who have worked with Paul, will be sorry to see him move on.
“I'm looking forward to working with Chantal Nicholls to build upon the good start that the waste industry and the HSE have made in partnership, to improve accidents rates and the level well being experience by waste industry employees,” he added.
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