Almost Half Of UK Workplaces ‘Never Been Visited By Safety Inspectors’

Businesses operating in some of the most dangerous industries in the UK, such as construction and manufacturing, appear to be being neglected by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). New research from the TUC has found that 46 per cent of health and safety representatives in UK workplaces have never actually had a visit from health and safety inspectors.

In fact, just 24 per cent of those asked said that they were aware that an inspection had taken place in the last year. Manufacturing was found to be the only sector in the country where the majority of reps – 57 per cent – said an inspection had been carried out in the last 12 months. And in the construction industry, just 17 per cent were able to say the same, despite the fact that 2015 saw 67,000 work-related illnesses and 65,000 injuries across the sector.

“Huge cuts to the HSE and to local authorities continue to undermine vital safety protections at work. That means more workers at risk of accidents in unsafe workplaces every day. It's time to fund the HSE properly and make sure bosses know that they can't get away with chancing workers' lives in dangerous workplaces,” TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said.

This follows a study carried out by personal injury lawyers Hayward Baker that found that 69 per cent of employees in the country (some 21 million people) think that their workplace is a health hazard.

Whether you’ve been visited by health inspectors or not, it’s your responsibility to make sure your employees are safe. It may be appropriate to invest in safety footwear and other personal protective equipment. Call us here at The Site Supply Company to find out more.