The
TUC is calling on the Government to honour its promise to halt the rise of
deaths at work.
TUC
General Secretary John Monks said this month has seen the number of deaths at
work rise for the second year running:
"These
figures are a stark reminder that while many employers are working in
partnership with unions to deliver world class health and safety, we need to
get tough with those who break the law. The Government needs to give the Health
and Safety Executive the tools to crack down on poor practice and bosses who
put price before protection. It’s time for ministers to honour the promises
they have made about new laws, new crimes and new funding."
The
TUC is calling for:
*·
A new Health and Safety at Work Act – promised when the Government launched its
Revitalising Health and Safety strategy in 2000 – imposing safety duties upon
directors, providing for higher penalties and requiring employers to have
policies to rehabilitate people injured at work;
*·
A new law on corporate killing – promised in Labour’s manifesto at the 2001
General Election – which would ensure companies could no longer escape
prosecution for manslaughter when their serious management failures cause
death.
·
A major injection of resources for the Health and Safety Executive. Previous
promises of new funding have been partly delivered by ministers, but the HSE’s
staff union Prospect, says there is a £35 million shortfall in HSE’s budget.
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