Search

Attention: Industrial, health and safety correspondents and media

Work death rise - TUC calls for corporate killing law and tougher safety enforcement

Commenting on official figures published today (Thursday) showing a four per cent increase in the number of deaths at work to 235 in 2003/04, Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary, said:

'The government committed itself to achieving a five per cent decrease in the number of deaths at work between 2000 and 2004. Instead deaths have increased again this year. If the government is serious about reducing the levels of deaths and injuries it must increase the resources available to local authorities and the Health and Safety Commission for enforcing health and safety law.

'It is also imperative that the government legislates for new health and safety duties for directors and makes good its commitment to introduce a new offence of corporate killing.'

The TUC has also asked for urgent action to address the health and safety risks to migrant workers following the tragedy in Morecambe Bay.

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

- A series of TUC rights leaflets are available on our website and from the know your rights line 0870 600 4 882. Lines are open every day from 9am-9pm. Calls are charged at the national rate.

Contacts:

Media enquiries : Ben Hurley T: 020 7467 1248; Pager: 07626 317903; E: bhurley@tuc.org.uk

Congress: TUC Congress 2004 is to be held at the Brighton Centre from Monday 13 September to Thursday 16 September. Applications for media credentials must be received
by 5pm Friday 3 September. Requests received after this date will be subject to a £50 administration charge. To register and to book a BT phone line go to www.tuc.org.uk/mediacredentials.

Press release (400 words) issued 29 Jul 2004