Search

date: 29 October 2008

embargo: For immediate release

Fall in fatalities and serious injuries at work proves that health and safety enforcement works, says TUC

The TUC today (Wednesday) welcomed the fall in fatalities and serious injuries at work over the last year, announced in the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) annual health and safety statistics.

Responding to the latest statistics, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'The reversal of last year's increase in fatalities is welcome news to everyone at work. But we are concerned at the lack of progress in reducing the number of people made ill as a result of their work.

'Recent figures suggest that greater enforcement of the law has reduced injuries at work. So we clearly need more enforcement - particularly in areas of occupational health such as tackling RSIs, back pain and stress, as these make up three quarters of work-related ill-health and are workers' main safety concerns.

'However, greater enforcement can only happen if the Government increases resources to local authorities and the HSE for inspection and enforcement activities. So while business lobbyists harp on about health and safety compliance, the Government should side with workers and provide the funding to ensure they are safe at work.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- The HSE annual health and safety statistics can be found at www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/hssoct08.htm

- Further info can be found on the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

Contacts:

Media enquiries:
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 29 Oct 2008