Tory plan for safety on building sites could lead to more deaths
says Unite
21st October 2009
New plans by the Conservative party to allow construction
companies to arrange their own externally audited safety
inspections, and ban Health and Safety Executive inspectors from
their sites, could lead to a worsening of health and safety and an
increase in building site deaths says Unite, the UK’s largest
union.
Shadow business secretary Ken Clarke's announcement to cut ‘red
tape’ for business says the Tories plan to “curb the powers of
intrusive inspectors by allowing firms to arrange their own,
externally audited inspections and, providing they pass, to refuse
entry to official inspectors thereafter”.
Unite, which represents construction workers, warns the move
could mean the already unacceptable death rates in the sector would
increase further if firms did not have to be accountable to the
independent Health and Safety Executive. Unite is concerned that
externally audited inspections will not have proper ‘enforcement
powers’.
Commenting on the announcement Unite national officer for
construction, Bob Blackman, said: "Ensuring high standards of
health and safety on construction sites comes with a cost. The
Tories should be focusing on preventing accidents and deaths rather
than looking at ways of saving money for the employers.
"The HSE is not perfect, but at least it is trusted by the
workforce and carries 'enforcement powers'. Enforcement and
prohibition powers are vital if the industry is not to see
fatalities and serious accidents increasing.
"This announcement goes to show the Tories' true colours. They
are the party of the bosses and by cutting 'red tape' for employers
they will be putting the lives and health of construction workers
at risk."
ENDS
For more information contact Liane Groves, Unite press officer
on 07793 661 657.
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