HSC and HSE officially become one

The Government said the merged body would be called the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and would provide "greater clarity and transparency whilst maintaining its public accountability."

Judith Hackitt, chair of the new HSE said: "With a single regulatory body we will be able to strengthen the links between strategy and delivery in order to provide the accountability expected of a public body in today's workplace climate."

For businesses, the merger should make no difference, other than perhaps less confusion. All of the fundamental contents of the Health & Safety at Work Act remain and there is there no change in health and safety requirements or how they are enforced.

The HSC and HSE were originally established as two, separate, non-departmental bodies with working practices and delegated powers set to distance the Commission from the day-to-day working of the Executive.