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date: 3 December 2008
embargo: For immediate release
TUC welcome for plans to make UK workplaces safer
Welcoming the draft strategy published today (Wednesday) by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:
'This represents a welcome clarification from the HSE of the direction it wants to take in the coming years. Unions will particularly like the commitment to safety regulation and enforcement, as well as the recognition of the role unions and safety reps can play in improving the safety culture of UK workplaces.
'But the main detail of what the new strategy will mean in practice is yet to be developed and we look forward to working with the HSE to ensure that the TUC has a leading role in supporting the work of the HSE and its staff.
'The Government must ensure that the HSE gets the political and financial support it needs to take its strategy forward in what are likely to be difficult times to come.'
NOTES TO EDITORS:
-The draft strategy - The Health and safety of Great Britain - Be part of the solution - was launched by the HSE in London, Edinburgh and Cardiff, and is the start of a three month consultation on its future direction, and of health and safety policy generally in the UK.
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Contacts:
Media enquiries:
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248 M: 07778 158175 E: media@tuc.org.uk
Rob Holdsworth T: 020 7467 1372 M: 07717 531150 E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk
Elly Brenchley T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07900 910624 E: ebrenchley@tuc.org.uk
Press release (300 words) issued 3 Dec 2008
