Events Calendar
Poll / Survey
| Will there be another General Election within a year? | ||
| YesNoDon't Know | 12251088392 | 45%40%14% |
Banners of the NUM
TUC CONCERN AT DROP IN WORK SAFETY PROSECUTIONS - 21 OCTOBER 2005
The TUC today (Thursday 20 Octoner 2005) expressed grave concern at the latest prosecutions statistics published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
The figures reveal that despite hundreds being killed and thousands injured at work every year the number of negligent employers being prosecuted for health and safety crimes has dropped, as has the amount of enforcement notices issued forcing employers to make their workplaces safer.
Figures published in the HSE Offences and Penalties Report show a 35 per cent fall in prosecutions of employers in the past three years and a 25 per cent drop in enforcement notices served in the last year. And the TUC is concerned that it's not just the HSE which is letting employers off the hook.
Local authorities are also taking fewer local companies to court as a result of accidents and injuries sustained at work. In the past ten years, council prosecutions have dropped by 50 per cent and there has been a 75 per cent fall in the number of enforcement notices issued.
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'Last year 220 workers were killed in the UK, over 150,000 people were injured and 2.2 million people are suffering from an illness that was either caused or made worse by their work. All these accidents, injuries and diseases are avoidable and most are caused by employers ignoring health and safety laws.
'We don't want to see HSE inspectors spending all their time in court, but at the moment it's very easy for employers who've put their employees' health and safety at risk to escape punishment.
'If the UK is to get to grips with its extremely poor safety record, we have to see more inspectors out there visiting workplaces, more targeted prosecutions of offending employers and more use of enforcement notices. The Government should also provide the HSE with extra resources so that it can do its job properly.'
'Good employers have nothing to fear but the bad ones do. TUC research has shown that when an enforcement notice is issued, over two thirds of employers not only comply, but also end up reviewing health and safety practices elsewhere in their organisation.
'Without a doubt, enforcement is the single most effective tool the HSE has at its disposal for improving health and safety standards in UK companies and organisations. When the Health and Safety Commission launched its new strategy for improving workplace health and safety last year it promised that enforcement would still be a key part of this. Today's report shows that this is clearly not the case.'
The figures reveal that despite hundreds being killed and thousands injured at work every year the number of negligent employers being prosecuted for health and safety crimes has dropped, as has the amount of enforcement notices issued forcing employers to make their workplaces safer.
Figures published in the HSE Offences and Penalties Report show a 35 per cent fall in prosecutions of employers in the past three years and a 25 per cent drop in enforcement notices served in the last year. And the TUC is concerned that it's not just the HSE which is letting employers off the hook.
Local authorities are also taking fewer local companies to court as a result of accidents and injuries sustained at work. In the past ten years, council prosecutions have dropped by 50 per cent and there has been a 75 per cent fall in the number of enforcement notices issued.
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'Last year 220 workers were killed in the UK, over 150,000 people were injured and 2.2 million people are suffering from an illness that was either caused or made worse by their work. All these accidents, injuries and diseases are avoidable and most are caused by employers ignoring health and safety laws.
'We don't want to see HSE inspectors spending all their time in court, but at the moment it's very easy for employers who've put their employees' health and safety at risk to escape punishment.
'If the UK is to get to grips with its extremely poor safety record, we have to see more inspectors out there visiting workplaces, more targeted prosecutions of offending employers and more use of enforcement notices. The Government should also provide the HSE with extra resources so that it can do its job properly.'
'Good employers have nothing to fear but the bad ones do. TUC research has shown that when an enforcement notice is issued, over two thirds of employers not only comply, but also end up reviewing health and safety practices elsewhere in their organisation.
'Without a doubt, enforcement is the single most effective tool the HSE has at its disposal for improving health and safety standards in UK companies and organisations. When the Health and Safety Commission launched its new strategy for improving workplace health and safety last year it promised that enforcement would still be a key part of this. Today's report shows that this is clearly not the case.'
Industrial Action
The National Union of Mineworkers expresses its support for fellow trade unionists in the Public Sector who today are having to resort to withdrawing their labour (a fundamental right of any worker) and take strike action against these unfair cuts to their pensions and terms and conditions.
T
[ MORE ]
[ MORE ]
Funeral of Gerry Gibson
It is with deep regret that the NUM (Yorkshire Area) announce the Funeral Service details for Gerry Gibson who tragically lost his life at Kellingley Colliery on Tuesday 27th September 2011.The Service in dedication to Gerry a much respected member,work mate & fellow miner will be held in
[ MORE ]
[ MORE ]
Statement from Gerry's Family
We are all truly devastated by Gerry's sudden and tragic death.
We would like to pay tribute to everyone involved in attempts to rescue Gerry - all work colleagues; Kellingley rescue team; the air ambulance team and all other medics who were on site. Their tireless efforts were not i
[ MORE ]
[ MORE ]
Fatality at Kellingley Colliery
it is with deep regret that the national union of mineworkers has to confirm that as a result of a tragic accident at kellingley colliery one of our members has lost his life.
the whole workforce at the colliery are devastated at the loss of a friend and colleague as a result of a roof fall on 502s
[ MORE ]
[ MORE ]