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Network Journal 2006 Issue 4 Nov/Dec |
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Myth busters!
The media is full of stories about health and safety ‘gone mad’, unfortunately the cumulative effect of this is to undermine the safety of the UK’s workforce.
But now the TUC has published a report correcting the many false and exaggerated myths associated with health and safety.
This important report helps to redress this imbalance and emphasises the important role health and safety reps and regulation plays in protecting people's health and well-being.
Some of the more well-known myths include; local authorities banning hanging baskets, removal of fire-fighters poles at fire stations and churches facing crippling costs for replacing light bulbs. All of these myths are comprehensively demolished.
According to TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber, "Myths about 'killer conkers' and banning ladders undermine the whole concept of health and safety in the public's eyes. Some employers, and others, are using health and safety as an excuse for making stupid decisions, but health and safety regulation in the UK is not out of control.
"The UK today has sensible and practical health and safety laws and we have half as many as we did 35 years ago. But because too many employers are ignoring them and not taking proper care of their staff, two million people in the UK are suffering work-related ill-health."
The report can be found on the health and safety pages at www.tuc.org.uk
Meanwhile, a pressure group has called on the Government to do more research into the health of older working women.
The report by The Age and Employment Network (TAEN) has highlighted how little is known about the potential health benefits and risks which face such employees.
Almost 70 per cent of women aged 50-59 are in work and 12 per cent of working women are over 60. For more details visit: www.taen.org.uk/index.htm
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