IOSH Calls On Tories To Rethink Their Attack On H&S Laws

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has called on the Conservatives to "completely re-think” before considering sweeping cuts to so-called ‘red tape’ that could reduce competitiveness and end up costing lives.

IOSH’s message to the Conservatives is that good health really is good business.

HSE estimate that work-related accidents and illness costs UK society up to £31 billion a year – over double the amount the Conservatives are hoping to save. There is a vast amount the nation could save through preventing failure. We all need to work together to improve national health and safety performance, helping to reduce absence, improve productivity and also increase customer satisfaction, staff retention and corporate reputation.

IOSH said that it believes repealing the Working Time Regulations, as is likely to be proposed in the economic competitiveness group’s report on Friday, could lead to “a UK where worker-exploitation becomes rife.”

Lisa Fowlie, IOSH’s president, commented:

"We’re concerned at reports that the Conservatives may call for the Working Time Regulations to be scrapped. This important legislation helps protect workers from being compelled to work excessive hours. Removing it could leave employees at the mercy of unscrupulous employers, creating the potential for a UK where worker-exploitation becomes rife."

"At present, UK workers wishing to, can ‘opt-out’, meaning they can choose to work more than 48 hours per week. But, if we strip away this legislation completely employees, from factory to office workers and builders to mechanics, could potentially be asked by their employers to work more than 48 hours per week. This would be a backward step for us all, potentially introducing problems and inefficiencies. Workers who are simply exhausted through excessive hours or stressed due to a poor work / life balance, are unlikely to perform well and worryingly, could also endanger themselves and others."

IOSH also urged caution over rumoured plans to review the 1974 Health and Safety at Work etc Act. Lisa said: “Despite the disappointing fatality figures this year, which saw the number of workplace deaths rise from 217 to 241, the UK still has one of the best health and safety records in Europe. We’d strongly oppose any plans to ‘water down’ health and safety protection in law, because health and safety is good for people, good for business and good for the economy.”

source: IOSH

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