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The TUC has today (Monday) slammed new proposals to exempt millions of self-employed workers from health and safety legislation.

~~The TUC has today (Monday) slammed new proposals to exempt millions of self-employed workers from health and safety legislation.

The House of Lords will tomorrow vote on plans that mean self-employed workers who work as sole traders will no longer be covered by the Health and Safety at Work Act, unless they work in a select list of occupations and sectors.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said “This is one of the most dangerous pieces of legislation that has ever come before the House of Lords.

“The changes will mean that the Health and Safety Executive and local authorities will be powerless to stop millions of self-employed workers putting themselves and the public at risk, unless they work in a select list of occupations or sectors.

“These proposals are virtually a licence to kill. It will be a green light to cowboys and incompetents to cut corners and take risks – not only with their own lives but also with those of others.

“We hope that the House of Lords will support those amendments which seek to reduce the damage that it will cause if enacted.”


NOTES TO EDITORS:
- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk
- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews

Contacts:
Media enquiries:
Alex Rossiter  T: 0207 467 1285  M: 07887 572130  E: arossiter@tuc.org.uk
Tim Nichols  T: 020 7467 1337  M: 07876 452902  E: tnichols@tuc.org.uk
Clare Santry  T: 020 7467 1372  M: 07717 531150  E: csantry@tuc.org.uk

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