Concern over rise in workplace deaths
05 I 07 I 11
New official statistics show a
significant rise in the number of workplace fatalities. Figures
published this week by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show a
16 per cent increase in the number of workers killed in Britain in
2010/11 compared to the previous year.
TUC general secretary, Brendan
Barber has expressed concerns about the HSE figures and the recent
budget cuts for both the HSE and local authorities, along with the
government decision to cut the number of workplace inspections.
“The responsibility for the
increase in deaths this year must be placed at the door of
negligent employers, but more needs to be done to ensure that all
employers protect their workers from harm,” he said.
Agriculture remains one of the most
dangerous occupations and, though deaths decreased slightly this
year, according to the HSE figures the overall fatality rate still
remains over 13 times the average for all workplaces.
Prospect negotiator Mike Macdonald
warned government cut backs will mean an end to preventive HSE
inspections in the sector this year, making a hazardous industry
more dangerous still.
He said: 'Agriculture is one of the
key areas to see a withdrawal of proactive inspection despite the
excessive number of fatal injuries. Enforcement and the prosecution
of people who break health and safety law is important - but so is
HSE's intervention to reduce the risks of hazardous situations in
the first place.”
In contrast to the decrease shown
in agriculture, construction deaths have increased by a dramatic 22
per cent this year. The latest HSE figures reveal a death rate in
construction four times the all industry average.
The bad news prompted construction
union UCATT to call on the government to 'urgently rethink' its
safety strategy, which has seen HSE's resources slashed. George
Guy, the union's acting general secretary, said: “These latest
figures must serve as an urgent wake up call for the government and
their policy of cutting safety laws and legislation.”
In response to the new HSE figures,
Cenric Clement-Evans, Partner and Head of Employer’s Liability at
top 100 UK law firm Hugh James, said: “These statistics are hugely
disappointing. Those who are hell-bent on cutting back on health
and safety need to beware of the consequences. Every single fatal
accident is an avoidable tragedy with devastating consequences upon
the lives of those left behind. No amount of compensation can ever
undo the damage done to the families of these so-called
statistics.”