date: Thursday 18 November 2004 embargo: For immediate release

Attention: Industrial correspondents and health and safety media

New powers urgently needed to save lives at work, says the TUC

Commenting on the health and safety statistics 2004 published today by the Health and Safety Executive| (HSE), TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'The fact that deaths and serious injuries at work have risen again this year is a damning indictment on the levels of safety and the enforcement regimes in British workplaces.

'We urgently need increased resources and proper powers for both the HSE and local authorities to reflect the increased numbers of people in work. Without proper enforcement regimes there is little evidence from today’s figures to suggest that fatalities and serious injuries in British workplaces will decrease.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

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Contacts:

Media enquiries : Ben Hurley T: 020 7467 1248; Pager: 07699 713182 ; E: bhurley@tuc.org.uk
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248; Pager: 07699 744115; E: media@tuc.org.uk

Skills for Life and media enquiries : Dan Ashley T: 020 7467 1372; M: 07880 504 846;
E: dashley@tuc.org.uk

Press release (300 words) issued 18 Nov 2004