Health and Safety matters

Simon Jenkins in today’s Guardian chooses to criticise the under resourced Health and Safety Executive for what he sees as an over zealous approach.

Perhaps the only major work related hazard he faces is lunchtime over indulgence, but very many workers face daily risks to their health and safety – and need an organisation which will enforce the regulations which are there to protect us.

Hundreds of people die every year as a result of work related incidents, many if not all of which are preventable. There is almost no deterrent effect from the low fines imposed for breaking health and safety regulations.

If there is a problem with the HSE it is that it is that its safety inspections, prosecutions, convictions etc. have all reduced significantly, prompting justified criticism from the TUC. This scandal receives little coverage in the mainstream media.

Comments on the Guardian’s “Comment is Free” are easy to make – if you have a moment why not visit their site and comment on the article?