Plans to change health and safety laws in England and Wales have been welcomed by the chief officer at Voluntary Action North East Lincolnshire, Paula Grant.
The Government says the reforms will allow judges to take into consideration additional factors when deciding negligence cases brought against voluntary workers.
Speaking to The Grimsby Telegraph, Ms Grant described the changes as “timely”.
“Overall, this approach is most welcome if it leads to less time spent on bureaucracy for volunteers and groups organising voluntary activities and more time for them to support local people to participate in and benefit from community activities,” she said.
Ms Grant, who also acts as chief officer at North East Lincolnshire Volunteer Centre, added:
“The aims behind the statement are to be applauded if they allow people volunteering in good faith to save lives and avoid accidents, particularly as it removes the ever increasing risks of litigation.”
She cautioned though that people should not put their own lives unnecessarily at risk. “There are still too many examples of people losing their own life trying to help others and in turn putting lives of emergency services at risk,” warned Ms Grant.
The reforms to health and safety law could come into force as early as next year.
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