For immediate release 26 July 2007
STUC CAUTIOUS OVER SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT IN WORKPLACE FATALITIES
The STUC has welcomed a slight reduction in the number of fatal injuries occurring in Scottish workplaces but warned against any complacency by employers. Speaking after the publication of the latest statistics, Ian Tasker, STUC Health and Safety Officer, said:
“Any reduction in workplace fatalities is welcome and Scotland has bucked the trend showing an improvement against a concerning rise in figures for the United Kingdom as a whole. Against a reduction of two fatalities in Scotland the national increase is an unacceptable 10%. The reduction itself can be explained by a significant drop in the number of deaths in the manufacturing sector, without this, the picture would have been much worse.
“Many say we should be wary about making year-on-year comparisons given the figures are relatively small. However, this attitude does not reflect the pain and suffering of many families whose lives will never be the same again as a result of workplace accidents that in most cases could easily have been prevented.
“The new Corporate Manslaughter and Homicide legislation will only be effective if legal duties are placed on individual company directors to protect the health and safety of their workers and they are held responsible for company failures.
“This was a commitment of the Government in 2000, a commitment on which they have reneged, pandering to business organisations that plead the case for less regulation. When will the Government listen to those who have lost most - the families of those killed.”
ENDS
For further information, contact: Ian Tasker 07974 966227
Notes to editors:
- Of the 22 deaths, seven occurred in the services sector, six in construction, five in agriculture and two each in manufacturing and extraction and utility supply.