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Attention: Health Correspondents

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TUC disappointed at lack of health and safety inspections

The TUC is disappointed that there has, once again, been a decline in the number of inspections and prosecutions by local authorities in the field of health and safety.

Commenting on the report, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber stated "it is disgraceful that, on the same day as we hear that workplace deaths are rising, we should get figures showing that the level of inspections and prosecutions by local authorities is continuing to fall. Local authorities must get their priorities right and start putting resources into fulfilling their statutory responsibility to prevent ill-health and injury at work"

The TUC was also concerned that there was a huge variance in the level of inspections between local authorities with the best inspecting 430 in every 1,000, but the worst only managing 65.

The levels of inspection and enforcement activity within the workplace was strongly criticised by the House of Commons Work and Pensions Select Committee earlier this month.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

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E: dashley@tuc.org.uk

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Press release (400 words) issued 30 Jul 2004