50 years of the Health and Safety at Work Act are celebrated by Usdaw

Paddy Lillis - Usdaw general secretary says: “Health and safety is one of the main reasons workers need to be in a trade union. We campaigned for the 1974 Act and it has been an overwhelming success, delivered by a Labour Government. Prior to the introduction of the Act, 1,000 people were estimated to have been killed at work annually. Fast-forward to last year and this figure has dropped to 135. Still far too many, but a marked improvement.

“Crucial to that success is the army of health and safety reps in trade union organised workplaces. These volunteers are highly trained and supported by their trade union, so that they can contribute towards the risk control measures included in their employer’s risk assessment and work with managers to mitigate any issues. We thank our reps for their dedication and vigilance.

“The Act is worth celebrating, yet it isn’t without its flaws. The steady decline in government funding for the Health and Safety Executive has undermined the Act, with the threat of enforcement against employers reducing year on year. A more modern replacement is needed to further reduce work-related deaths, which have plateaued over the last decade.

“Usdaw is backing TUC calls for the Government to take swift action to increase funding for the HSE, speed up asbestos removal from all workplaces, protect the role of health and safety reps, allow unions to enter and organise workplaces that lack union representation and foster a culture of positive industrial relations so that both employers and workers benefit from a collaborative approach to improving health and safety. 

“So, today we celebrate 50 years of the Act, highlight the significant contribution of our health and safety reps and continue to call for legislative improvements to help keep workers safe and well.”