Unite welcomes HSE announcement of more inspectors
Wednesday, 21st May 2008
Unite the union strongly welcomes the Health
& Safety Executive’s (HSE) announcement that it has recruited
40 more inspectors but the UK's largest union believes the HSE
needs more.
This move will bring the overall number of HSE
inspectors to 720. Of the 40 inspectors recruited ten are
construction specialists bringing the total of HSE construction
inspectors dedicated to the industry to 134, as construction is one
of the most dangerous industries where work-related ill health
affects a significant number of workers.
Bob Blackman, Unite national officer,
said:
“Construction is one of the most
dangerous working environments in the land, so it is right that the
HSE is placing great emphasis on increased inspection
resources.
“This is a positive
step to protect workers' health and safety but the HSE needs more
inspectors. There must also be a change in enforcement with legally
binding health and safety duties on senior managers and company
directors as we believe only then will companies take health and
safety seriously.”
Unite recently gave evidence to a Select
Committee and recommend more resources and inspectors for the HSE.
The union also called for heavier penalties for breaches of the
law, safety duties on directors and support for trade union
appointed safety representatives.
-ENDS-
For further information please contact
Bob Blackman on 07976 849614 or Ashraf Choudhury in the Unite Press
Office on 020 7420 8914 or 07980 224761.
