A survey shows that employers are not neglecting health and safey despite the downturn, and perhaps surprisingly 27% are willing to take on people who have been on incapacity benefit or older workers. The survey of 720 business people by IOSH, the 35,000-strong body for health and safety practitioners, will be give some encouragement to the government with its aim of cutting the number of people on incapacity benefits by 1 million which must have seemed in jeopardy as waves of redundancies rocked the economy.
The survey reveals the schizophrenic attitude of employers towards health and safety issues, complaining of red tape on the one hand and admitting it saves lives on the other. Although eight per cent said they'd consider cutting the budget that was less than for staff incentives, marketing and spend on technology. IOSH is keen to expand the role of safety practitioners to take on more responsibility for employee health as opposed to safety risks.
Comments (1)
This is an interesting article and one that is borne out by my recent experiences as a Health & Safety trainer.
I've had quite a few corporate customers contacting me to do blanket coverage of their staff. Mainly in the supported housing and care sector.
It may also be as a direct result of the latest Health & Safety Offences Act 2008, which recently received Royal Assent.
If anyone wants more details of what the act says just send me a mail on mail@steve-pepper.co.uk and I'll send out some info.
Thanks
Steve
Posted by Steve Pepper | May 8, 2009 3:31 PM
Posted on May 8, 2009 15:31