Scenes from Jilin in China, where over 100 workers died when a poultry farm caught fire, brought into sharp relief why we must continue to fight for the living.
This follows on from the events in Bangladesh in April where over 1,100 workers lost their lives when the factory they were working in collapsed.
Karen Jennings, UNISON Assistant General Secretary said the events were:
“a terrible reminder of the constant need to fight for strong health and safety regulations and enforcement.
“Health and safety stands accused of being a burden on employers by the ConDem government, but we know that the true burden falls on the workers.
“Budgets for health and safety enforcement have been slashed, employers need report fewer of the injuries to their workers, unannounced inspections of so called ‘low-risk’ workplaces have been stopped, and there are ongoing attempts to make it more difficult to win compensation once injured.
“We must be vigilant – now is not the time to water down safety standards in workplaces that help to save lives and injuries.”
What needs to happen?
We need to see government action that will protect the health, safety and well-being of people at work.
This should include:
- More workplace inspections and resources for the HSE and local authorities to ensure adequate enforcement of health and safety laws.
- Full recognition and enforcement of existing safety reps’ rights and the establishment of additional consultative and representative rights, to strengthen health and safety at work.
- Strong regulation aimed at preventing stress, musculoskeletal disorders, bullying and violence and a greater emphasis on occupational health measures.
- Legally binding dust standards.
- Removal of carcinogens (substances that cause cancer).
- Legal maximum temperature at work.
- Increased protection for vulnerable (e.g. migrant) workers.
- Additional legislative measures to make company directors comply with health and safety law, and a just and effective system of civil and state compensation which maintains workers’ standard of living and addresses the burden of all illnesses caused by work.
- Health and safety to be a significant factor in the awarding of all public sector contracts.
- Enforcement of all health and safety International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions and European legislation.
What can I do?
- Talk to your friends, family, co-workers and neighbours about these issues.
- Raise your concerns with your employer, local media, and political candidates.
- Take the campaign to workplace or community meetings – or organise your own – we can help with materials and speakers.
- Become a UNISON safety rep – evidence shows the presence of a well trained safety rep can halve the risk of accidents at work.