Kevin Rowan column

Nov 6 2006 By Kevin Rowan, The Journal

Fewer injuries but are workplaces safer? Last week it was announced the number of major injuries to employees was down almost 2,000 on the previous year to 28,605, a fall of about 6%.

This was very welcome especially when taken with the news that similar falls were being experienced in the occurrences of the most common occupational illnesses, like stress-related complaints, muscoskeletal disorders, asthma and dermatitis.

There is, however, some concern over a further and faster fall in the number of employers being prosecuted for breaches in safety law. The TUC is concerned the same statistics reveal that last year the HSE prosecuted 23% fewer employers than it did in 2004/05.

Effectively, the rate of prosecutions per serious injury has fallen from an already low 4.3% to a worrying low 3.5%.

This is despite evidence from a new TUC survey of union safety reps, which shows that enforcement is the most effective way of ensuring employers comply with health and safety laws. A fall in the rate of prosecutions per major industry is not a successful outcome for victims of poor health and safety management, and it is certainly not a strong deterrent to employers.

Trade unions are concerned budget cuts faced by the HSE could see the organisation having to cut the number of inspectors it employs which would clearly impact on the number of employer prosecutions.

There is evidence to show the work the HSE is doing on health is now beginning to reap dividends and many employers are making their workplaces safer. But the figures also show that a significant number are not putting their workers' safety first and the HSE must ensure they are brought to book.

Inspections, the threat of prosecution, and enforcement notices are important interventions in keeping workers safe.

Employers need to know that if they kill or injure a worker because they have not complied with their responsibilities under safety law, they will be prosecuted. At the moment this is not happening.

Fewer inspectors, fewer visits and fewer prosecutions mean more unsafe workplaces.

Without the resources to properly investigate serious accidents at work, to properly prosecute individuals and employers for clear breaches of health and safety law, some people will continue getting away with murder. They must be stopped.

Kevin Rowan is regional secretary of the Northern TUC.