TUC Warns Against Reduction Of Health And Safety Regulations
2:57 PM // 0 comments // sb blogger // Category: Health and fitness , Health And Safety //By Nelly Hall
The government has been urged by the TUC to ignore calls from business to reduce health and safety "red tape". This was after a report from the union body revealed that at least 20,000 people - the equivalent of the entire population of the Orkney Islands - die early because of their work each year, from illnesses such as occupational cancers and lung disorders, exposure to chemicals and fumes, and fatal car accidents.
This report found that many workers also received injuries in the course of their work, pointing to Health and Safety Executive (HSE) estimates that while 246,000 workplace injuries ought to have been reported last year, many workplace accidents went unreported or incorrectly reported.
The Case for Health and Safety report revealed that 1.2 million workers in the UK believe they are suffering from work-related illness; including heart disease, stress, musculoskeletal disorders such as neck, back and shoulder pains, and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
The report disputed claims - which have led to calls from business for health and safety regulations or "red tape" to be reduced - that the workplace has become much safer now than it ever was.
The Government has been called upon by the TUC to: use the UK network of 150,000 union health and safety representatives to greater effect; ignore calls from the business lobby to reduce regulation and enforcement; champion the issue and appoint a Government "tsar" for health and safety; and support the work of the HSE and local authorities in protecting people at work.
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber talking about workplace accidents stated: "Despite the way that health and safety is often pilloried, for those who are made ill or injured at work and for the relatives of those who have died as a result of their work, health and safety is no joke.
"Regulation works, as long as it is enforced, and it saves lives and prevents the contraction of unnecessary illnesses. That is why the UK continues to need strong regulation and enforcement. Every one of the 20,000 annual workplace-related deaths could have been prevented, and if the level of HSE and local authority funding is cut, the effects will be even more catastrophic.
"Fatalities are not just statistics - they are real people, with lives and families - and any fall in inspections and enforcement will lead to an increase in accidents, injuries and deaths, and will have a huge impact on the already grave problem of workplace diseases. - 39468
This report found that many workers also received injuries in the course of their work, pointing to Health and Safety Executive (HSE) estimates that while 246,000 workplace injuries ought to have been reported last year, many workplace accidents went unreported or incorrectly reported.
The Case for Health and Safety report revealed that 1.2 million workers in the UK believe they are suffering from work-related illness; including heart disease, stress, musculoskeletal disorders such as neck, back and shoulder pains, and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
The report disputed claims - which have led to calls from business for health and safety regulations or "red tape" to be reduced - that the workplace has become much safer now than it ever was.
The Government has been called upon by the TUC to: use the UK network of 150,000 union health and safety representatives to greater effect; ignore calls from the business lobby to reduce regulation and enforcement; champion the issue and appoint a Government "tsar" for health and safety; and support the work of the HSE and local authorities in protecting people at work.
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber talking about workplace accidents stated: "Despite the way that health and safety is often pilloried, for those who are made ill or injured at work and for the relatives of those who have died as a result of their work, health and safety is no joke.
"Regulation works, as long as it is enforced, and it saves lives and prevents the contraction of unnecessary illnesses. That is why the UK continues to need strong regulation and enforcement. Every one of the 20,000 annual workplace-related deaths could have been prevented, and if the level of HSE and local authority funding is cut, the effects will be even more catastrophic.
"Fatalities are not just statistics - they are real people, with lives and families - and any fall in inspections and enforcement will lead to an increase in accidents, injuries and deaths, and will have a huge impact on the already grave problem of workplace diseases. - 39468
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