Health and safety legislation cannot be reduced, says TUC

The Government must ignore calls to reduce legislation and appoint a health and safety tsar, union organisation suggests.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) needs supporting after recent research showed more than 20,000 people were killed prematurely by their work every year, raising employers liability concerns.

The new ‘Case for Health and Safety’ report compiled by the TUC is claimed to have ‘smashed’ the myth that Britain is one of the safest countries to work.

The number of people, which is equivalent to the population of Thailand, were victim to deaths caused by conditions such as occupational cancers and lung disorders, exposure to fumes and chemicals, and traffic accidents.

1.2 million workers believe to be suffering from a work-related illness. These illnesses include heart disease, stress, musculoskeletal disorders such as back, shoulder and neck pain, and also mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

The business lobby has passed numerous calls to reduce red tape claiming that the UK workplace is now much safer than it has ever been.

Despite the number of fatalities and injuries at work decreasing, the HSE reveals that a massive 246,000 workplace injuries took place last year, where many were also left unreported.

TUC General secretary Brendan Barber said:

“Despite the way that health and safety is often pilloried, for those who are made ill or injured at work and for the relatives of those who have died as a result of their work, health and safety is no joke.”

"Regulation works, as long as it is enforced, and it saves lives and prevents the contraction of unnecessary illnesses. That is why the UK continues to need strong regulation and enforcement.”