UCATT in Favour of Increasing the Number of Safety Inspectors
May 6th, 2009
The Union, UCATT is asking for an increase in the number of frontline safety inspectors. The call comes after it was revealed that the number of such inspectors has been going down steadily over the last few years.
UCATT recently conducted a study, according to which there is a need to increase the resources expended on inspections of small and medium sized construction companies. The study showed that a majority of construction workers’ deaths took place in companies that employed less than 50 people.
These companies comprise only about one-third of the construction industry, but almost half of the industry’s deaths reported last year in the UK were from these companies. UCATT is now seeking not only an increase in the number of safety inspectors, but also for the inspectors to be instructed and empowered to deal strictly with any breach of safety.
Alan Ritchie, UCATT General Secretary stated that due to rare inspections, small firms take safety casually. As per his opinion, companies should appoint safety directors, who should face legal action if an employee loses his life because of a serious breach of safety laws and guidelines.
UCATT has also asked everyone to observe a two-minute silence at noon on the International Workers Memorial Day in the memory of those who have been killed or injured at work.
Jerry Swain, Regional Secretary of UCATT’s London and South East Region said that everyone in the construction industry knows a friend or co-worker who has been a victim of poor safety measures. He asked these people to not only remember the victims, but also fight for the right to better safety conditions, so that future accidents can be averted.
Now more than ever all employers especially in potentially dangerous industry sectors must be fully aware of health and safety issues and train their staff thoroughly to avoid the serious potential consequences. Contact Workplace Law Training to find out about their range of iosh training courses which will help to assist your management and staff in all health and safety issues.
