Union movement to fight safety cuts

TUC Congress unanimously supported a motion moved by construction union UCATT, which condemns the Government’s cuts to the Health and Safety Executive and attacks on safety laws.

The motion highlighted the Government’s plans to cut 35% of the HSE’s budget by 2015 and suggested this will mean that the organisation will no longer be able to ensure worker safety. The massive cuts to the HSE’s budget come at a time when longstanding financial pressures have resulted in the organisation’s enforcement activities having already fallen to an all time low.

As a result of the cuts in the HSE’s budget the number of unannounced inspections being conducted will be cut by 33% with many sectors, including agriculture and quarrying, no longer receiving any unannounced inspections. While unannounced inspections will continue in construction, they will in future be targeted at primarily smaller sites. The motion also focussed on the closure of the Infoline service.

In moving the motion, Dennis Doody a member of UCATT’s Executive Council, said: “It is a fundamental right to be safe at work. This Government is destroying that right. The vast majority of workplace accidents are easily preventable. Government policies will increase accidents.”

Mr Doody, added: Now more than ever the trade union movement needs to defeat these policies. And show how this Tory-led Government has blood on its hands. If we don’t take action, more and more workers will be killed and maimed at work.”