Plans to allow the NHS to recover the costs of workplace accidents could
leave employers with a £150m bill, the Engineering Employers’ Federation (EEF)
has warned.
The union is urging ministers to remove the proposal from the Health and
Social Care Bill because of the cost it would add to employers’ liability
insurance.
Martin Temple, director general at the EEF, confirmed he had written to
health secretary Alan Milburn urging him to drop the proposals from the Bill.
"The issues around the UK’s compensation system are profound and may
require a very different approach or combination of approaches to find a
long-term solution," said Temple.
"This proposal is premature and likely to be misdirected when taken in
the context of future decisions on compensation for workplace accidents."
The Department of Health hopes the changes will ensure employers that are
liable for accidents cover the related NHS costs.
But the EEF claims that any costs would be footed by employers through the
employers’ liability insurance system, spreading the burden across all
employers, regardless of safety records and policies.
"The measure will not achieve its goals and will simply add further
pressure to a system already showing incredible strain. Employers who take
positive action to improve the health and safety of employers will be
subsidising those who are negligent," said Temple.
The EEF is campaigning for a review of the entire workplace insurance
system.
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By Ross Wigham
