The following has been supplied by the TUC:
Union safety reps have saved 'countless lives', a new TUC briefing has revealed. The message comes in the latest bulletin from TUC ahead of its national 28 April Day of Action to defend health and safety. It spells out how this 'union effect' not only prevents between 8,000 and 13,000 workplace accidents and between 3,000 and 8,000 work-related illnesses each year, it could deliver a cost saving to society of over half a billion pounds annually - and that's take from government figures. According to the TUC briefing, part of a package of resources for reps ahead of international Workers' Memorial Day on 28 April, 'health and safety representatives know the workplace far better than management as they are aware of what really goes on. They also act as a channel for individual workers to raise their concerns.' It is a role the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has acknowledged is 'invaluable.' It's also preventive. From asbestos to vinyl chloride, stress to strain injuries, unions exposed the problem and demanded preventive action long before official agencies caught on. The briefing notes: 'Even today it is unions and groups of safety representatives that are highlighting the potential risks within the semi-conductor industry, or from nanotechnology.' TUC concludes that with safety facing an unprecedented attack from the government, the 28 April Day of Action will 'make it clear that we want clear commitments and action from those who should be protecting us. Join any events in your area on that day and demonstrate that we will not give up our right to a safe workplace.'
