Employers urged to show leadership on health and safety

Posted 04/06/2009

Businesses are being urged to reduce the risk of personal injury or death on their premises.

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), thousands of people die every year following a work-related accident.

Indeed, figures from the watchdog show that 137,000 employees were killed or seriously injured at work during 2008 alone.

Senior managers have therefore been urged to show leadership on the issue, as they are legally obliged to comply with health and safety laws.

“It is their moral and legal duty and it is good for the business,” insisted Judith Hackitt, chair of the HSE.

The comments were echoed by Brendan Barber, general secretary of the TUC, who said getting the message of good health and safety practices across is “more important than ever” in the current economic climate.

Meanwhile, the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health has stated that the issue of health and safety is one that is “much misunderstood” in the UK.

The body said it is about saving lives and improving quality of life and not letting “jobsworths” act overzealously.