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date: 30 June 2010

embargo: For immediate release

Politicians must focus on preventing workplace deaths

Commenting on the latest figures for workplace deaths published today (Wednesday) by the Health and Safety Executive, which show that 151 people died at work between 1 April 2009 and 31 March 2010, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'The fall in the number of fatalities at work is very welcome, although it is mainly the result of far fewer people entering the workplace during the recession.

'Every single one of these deaths is a tragedy for the family that has been left behind and we owe it to them to make sure that we stop these events happening to others.

'Politicians and the press should focus on preventing such deaths rather than talking about health and safety regulations being a burden. None of these deaths were a result of over-regulation or risk aversion. In most cases they were caused by basic health and safety precautions not being taken.

'We must remember that these 151 deaths are less than one per cent of the number of premature deaths caused by work. We must do far more to reduce the terrible toll from occupational diseases such as cancers.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- The latest workplace fatalities statistics are available at www.hse.gov.uk/statistics

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

- Congress 2010 will be held at the Manchester Central Convention Complex from Monday
13 September to Thursday 16 September. Free media passes can be obtained by visiting www.tuc.org.uk/congress/tuc-18063-f0.cfm and returning a form. Applications must be in by noon on Monday 6 September. Any received later than that will be processed in Manchester and will cost £50.

Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Rob Holdsworth T: 020 7467 1372 M: 07717 531150 E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk
Elly Gibson T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07900 910624 E: egibson@tuc.org.uk

Press release (400 words) issued 30 Jun 2010