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date: 8 July 2009

embargo: For immediate release

New legal duty should help prevent construction deaths says TUC

The TUC today (Tuesday) welcomed the publication of a Government inquiry into fatalities in construction, which recommends the introduction of a new legal duty for directors that would ensure good health and safety management.

Commenting on the inquiry, One Death Too Many which was conducted by Rita Donaghy, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'This is a strong endorsement of the arguments that the TUC and unions have been making for many years. There is an undeniable case for a change in the law to ensure that directors ensure good health and safety practice through a framework of planning, delivery, monitoring and reviewing.

'Other recommendations in the report, including extending the remit of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority to include construction and revising building regulations so that health and safety is considered in building control, will help make construction sites safer places to work.

'The level of fatalities in this sector is totally unacceptable and we hope that the Government will act quickly to fully implement the recommendations contained in this report and so prevent more needless deaths.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

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Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248 M: 07778 158175 E: media@tuc.org.uk

Press release (400 words) issued 8 Jul 2009