An Exploratory Study of Beryllium and UK Soft Touch Regulation: An Enduring Example of Weaknesses of UK Occupational Health and Safety Governance

Andrew Watterson () and Matthias Beck
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Andrew Watterson: Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, Stirling University, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
Matthias Beck: Department of Management & Marketing, University College Cork, National University of Ireland, T12 K8F Cork, Ireland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 19, 1-14

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: UK health; safety regulation; beryllium toxicity; better regulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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