Search

date: 13 July 2009

embargo: For immediate release

TUC calls for new health and safety legislation

Welcoming the report published today (Monday) by the Work and Pensions Select Committee into workplace health and safety, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'This is a strong endorsement of the recent report into construction deaths by Rita Donaghy. At this time of recession we need both strong regulation and a strong regulator.

'The Government must ensure that funding for both the Health and Safety Executive and for local authority health and safety enforcement is increased to make sure that employers do not risk the health or lives of their workforce.

'The TUC also welcomes the strong call for a new health and safety legal duty on directors. Ministers must act now to ensure that directors take more responsibility for health and safety and we hope that there will be legislation to bring this about in the next Queen's Speech.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

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

- Register for the TUC's press extranet: a service exclusive to journalists wanting to access pre-embargo releases and reports from the TUC. Visit www.tuc.org.uk/pressextranet

- Congress 2009 will be held at the BT Convention Centre, Liverpool from Monday 14 September to Thursday 17 September. All applications for media passes must be received no later than noon Monday 7 September. Any applications received after this date will be processed in Liverpool and subject to a £50 administration fee. The form for media credentials, plus information on how to book wireless internet access and a phone line at the BT Convention Centre can be accessed at www.tuc.org.uk/mediacredentials

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 (400 words) issued 13 Jul 2009