Protecting workers saves money as well as lives, says UNISON today in its response to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills announcement that hundreds of thousands of workplaces should be exempt from health and safety inspections.
The government intends to introduce binding new rules on the Health and Safety Executive and councils from April 2013, exempting hundreds of thousands of workplaces that have been designated ‘low risk’ from regular health and safety inspections.
Its interpretation of low risk encompasses most of the workplaces where UNISON members are employed including offices and schools, and sectors such as health and social care, catering and cleaning.
“The government does not take into consideration occupational ill health such as musculoskeletal disorders (aches and pains in joints and soft tissue) and work-related stress, which are the most common types of ill-health in so-called low risk workplaces, and account for more than three quarters of all work-related injuries and illness currently suffered in the UK.” commented UNISON assistant national officer James Randall.
“It also intends to scrap health and safety regulations which it claims are a burden on business.
“However, in 2011 a survey conducted by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health found that health and safety can be used as a driver for growth, given that protecting workers saves money.”
Work-related accidents and ill health costs businesses nearly £8bn a year through absenteeism, low productivity and legal bills. The research found the overall cost of health and safety failures to the public purse, including welfare and health bills, is estimated at £22bn.
UNISON believes that by reducing inspections by one-third and slashing regulations, business and the taxpayer will face the bigger burden of an injured and unwell workforce.
“We must organise and campaign to defend against the government’s attack on health and safety at work, said Mr Randall. “If you share our belief that everyone should be able to work without having their health damaged by their job, then join UNISON in speaking up for health and safety.”
UNISON is asking people to:
- go to our Million Voices web pages and add your voice to our campaign;
- encourage your family and friends to sign up too;
- contact your MP or local councillors to tell them why they shouldn’t cut health and safety;
- write to your local papers or go onto their website and tell them why health and safety matters to you;
- March for a future that works on 20 October 2012 in London;
- if you work in public services, join us at unison.org.uk/join/;
- If you’re already a UNISON member, become a union safety rep – having a a well-trained safety rep can halve the risk of accidents at work.