Health and safety myths put workers' lives at risk

UNISON, the UK’s largest union, today warned that Lord Young’s review into health and safety failed to distinguish between the very real problems of health and safety at work and the “ambulance chasers” who try to make money from peoples’ misfortune.The union said that many of the proposals in the report had nothing to do with occupational health and safety. And, where they do relate to workplace health and safety, the more practical ones either already exist or are in the process of being developed. (e.g. online risk assessment tool, register of consultants etc). Hope Daley, UNISON’s Head of Health and Safety said:“Lord Young has missed the opportunity to tackle the myths circulated about occupational health and safety which is damaging to both employers and employees. Many of these myths have taken root because of the ambulance chasers who seek to make money out of peoples’ misfortune. This simple failure could turn back the clock on health and safety and increase the number of accidents and injury to workers. “Despite the review, Lord Young shows no awareness of the problems caused by occupational ill health and no real understanding of the level of injury or ill health in schools, classrooms or offices. Schools and offices have very high levels of stress related illness, and many people suffer from arm, back and neck injuries. Between them these are responsible for around three quarters of work related sickness absence. “This report is really only interested in freeing business from bureaucratic burdens and disregards the value of workers’ health and safety.”