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date: 1 November 2007

embargo: for immediate release

TUC response to HSC health and safety figures

Responding to today's health and safety figures for 2006/2007 from the Health and Safety Commission, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'T oday's statistics are very disappointing. Thirty six million days lost to ill-health at work is unacceptably high and this number has risen in the last year.

'This is bad news for everyone. Too many employers are getting off the hook because the HSE does not have the tools to deal with the massive workplace health problems we face.

'We share the HSE's recognition that more needs to be done on enforcement and welcome the steps that have been taken. But the HSE cannot meet its targets for reducing occupational ill-health by 2010 without a significant increase in the resources available.

'Instead, the HSC has had its workforce reduced and faces further cuts of up to five per cent for the next three years as a result of the current spending review. These spending trends must be reversed. Otherwise, employers will continue to get away with playing fast and loose with their staff's heath.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

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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 1 Nov 2007