Rise in workplace deaths prompts TUC call for tougher legislation

The
TUC is calling for corporate killing law and tougher safety enforcement after
government figures published today showed a 4 per cent increase in the number
of deaths at work to 235 in 2003-2004.

TUC
general secretary Brendan Barber said the Government had committed itself to
achieving a 5 per cent decrease in the number of deaths at work between 2000
and 2004, but this year had seen another increase.

"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 Executive for enforcing health and safety law,” he said.

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He
also called on the Government to legislates for new health and safety duties
for directors and "make good its commitment to introduce a new offence of
corporate killing".

By Michael Millar